coolant temps ??
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From: Dongola, IL
coolant temps ??
My '95 F350 7.3 has been running hotter than usual lately.The gauge is staying in about middle of the normal range, and if your going up a hill the gauge rises quickly.
It has an almost new water pump, and the antifreeze and radiator are clean.
Last time I drove it I went about 25 miles and when I got home the heater and top hoses nicely warm but the bottom radiator hose was ice cold, by the way I was driving
in 0 degree weather. What is going on?
It has an almost new water pump, and the antifreeze and radiator are clean.
Last time I drove it I went about 25 miles and when I got home the heater and top hoses nicely warm but the bottom radiator hose was ice cold, by the way I was driving
in 0 degree weather. What is going on?
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From: Ft Scott
Middle of "normal" on the gauge is no big deal. I have a 203* t'stat and a real temp gauge besides the OEM gauge. 200* is just between the "r" and "m" on the stock gauge. When the needle gets into the "red" you are 240* or better and the light comes on at 246*
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From: Dongola, IL
Thanks for the info, the reason I am worried is because my '97 7.3 never even gets to the letter N even when I am pulling 6,000 pounds.
Also the '95 never ran this hot in 98 degree weather pulling 8,000 pounds, and why is the bottom hose cold?
Also the '95 never ran this hot in 98 degree weather pulling 8,000 pounds, and why is the bottom hose cold?
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From: Kearney, Nebr
The OEM gauge is junk. There is no actual temperature reading that it displays besides whatever range "Normal" is.
The lower hose is going to be pretty cold especially during the winter months. These engines have amazing cooling systems that can handle just about anything. If your worried about it, you might try pulling your stat and making sure its closing all the way.
It also might be a great opportunity to put the 203 in.
The lower hose is going to be pretty cold especially during the winter months. These engines have amazing cooling systems that can handle just about anything. If your worried about it, you might try pulling your stat and making sure its closing all the way.
It also might be a great opportunity to put the 203 in.
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From: Ft Scott
94-95 came stock with 203* thermostats, 96 and later had 195* thermostats. With a 195* mine would hardly ever go higher than the "n" even in the summer in Phoenix, with the 203* it ran between the "r-m".
The hot water enters the top of the radiator when the t'stat is open When the temps are near zero the thermostat is not open very much and there's not much flow thu the radiator. The coolant that's in the radiator has plenty of time to cool down
The hot water enters the top of the radiator when the t'stat is open When the temps are near zero the thermostat is not open very much and there's not much flow thu the radiator. The coolant that's in the radiator has plenty of time to cool down
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From: Dongola, IL
I went to the local napa today to buy a t-stat and he said oem was 205*. What are the pros and cons of the 195* or the 203* ?
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From: Ft Scott
203-205 same difference, I think you'll find that even though the catalog and box say 205 the thermostat itself will be stamped as 203. Diesels depend on heat for combustion and are more efficient at the higher temps. Get the 203.
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From: Kearney, Nebr
The engine is supposed to be more efficient at the higher temperature. IIRC the 95/96 still used the International WP. They put a Ford one in with the 97's.
It's hard to keep this engines at operating temperature during the winter when it's not under load. I run the 203 without the fan during the winter and it's hard to maintain 200+ without going down the highway.
It's hard to keep this engines at operating temperature during the winter when it's not under load. I run the 203 without the fan during the winter and it's hard to maintain 200+ without going down the highway.
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From: Ft Scott
And your 95 and 97 both have different water pumps and use different thermostats. If you want to use a 203 in the 97 you CAN NOT get it from a local parts store. The only place you can get a 203 that fits the 97 is here:
http://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?...ROD&ProdID=186
Even if you're not interested in the 203 for the 97 you should follow the link and read about the advantage of the 203 over the 195
http://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?...ROD&ProdID=186
Even if you're not interested in the 203 for the 97 you should follow the link and read about the advantage of the 203 over the 195
