Hello, drove the truck today after a 2 week shutdown. And the truck ran very hot on the gauge, not to the point of overheating (probably cause it was around 20f this morn), then cooled down to normal just before parking it at work. Ran the same way home also. Popped the hood and tried squeezing the upper and lower radiator hoses. Both were only warm to the touch and the upper was extremely tight, unable to squeeze together. So, I went to the parts store and got a thermostat and gasket. Two questions: 1) Does this sound like a thermostat problem or pump, please say thermostat 2) The new gasket has an adhesive backing on only one side, I'm assuming this side goes toward the housing side and the bear side towards engine?? I've never used this type gasket, should I use gasket sealer on both sides?? Or go down the the auto store and try and get the old school gasket, bear on both sides and goop the sh@t out of it?

Thanks

 

Sounds like a stuck thermostat. Cheap and easy fix, so that is a good place to start. I have always put silicone on both sides of the gasket and never had a leak. How does the coolant look? Green, clear, or brown?

BTW, how long was the drive to work?

 

Thermostat x2 if moneys tight you can always test it in a pot of boiling water to rule it out.

 

About a 4mile/10minute drive at 45mph. Coolant was nice and green the last time I looked a month ago, even tested it and think it was good for around -30f.