Running Rough
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Toasty FLORIDA
Running Rough
HEy guys what would be the couse for my truck to run as if it was missing when it's cold? but once it warms up it runs great. Here is what I have, 1988 F250 5.0 stickshift 12* advance on the timing, and no thermostat. any help would be appreciated I live in Miami Fl
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Northfield, MI
When was the last time you replaced the cap, rotor, wires, plugs?
You could have a bad injector, sticking valve, or sticking rings.
What does compression look like for each cylinder? How many miles do you have on it?
And put the thermostat back in. Your engine is running too cold and will sludge up.
You could have a bad injector, sticking valve, or sticking rings.
What does compression look like for each cylinder? How many miles do you have on it?
And put the thermostat back in. Your engine is running too cold and will sludge up.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Mass.
id put the thermostat back in especially for the winter it wont warmup properly without it. The only time ive pulled out a thermostat was 2 limp a severely overheated car back home and for a drag car running hot.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 796
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From: Minnesota
Do you have any cracked exhaust manifolds? Mine is like that right now. It runs rough till the manifold warms up and expands enough to seal up the crack. Going to replace mine when it warms up. Just another idea.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Toasty FLORIDA
Well I took teh thoermostat off becasue I figure it was running hot in florida, average temp is 80's, now do I have to remove my water pump to put the new thermostat in it? and not haveing the thermostat would that be the reason why I am idleing so high as well?
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Mass.
if it was running hot and you took the thermostat out it might have been the problem a new one is only about 10-15 bucks and sometimes in the summer ill run a different heat range thermostat. usually the one in the truck opens at 195 you could try going for a 180 or 165 i think are the other choices they should have all choices at your local parts store in either case your engine would warm up alot faster with a thermostat in it and it would idle high trying to warm the engine up. i dont think the water pump has to come out just the 2 bolts on the thermostat housing and the hose attached should do it you might need a wrench for the thermostat housing bolts at least thats the way my 91 5.0 is. When i changed mine i got a chrome housing with an o ring gasket which made it easier to install but thats just me
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bonita Springs FL
This is really, really bad advice. Running a 160 t-stat is almost as bad as not using one at all. Use a 192* t-stat like the one that was in it when it was new.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Mass.
im not saying id run it in the winter but in the summer if its really hot it seems a good option. i usually run a 180 in the summer and a 195 in the winter and have never had a problem. Iknow people that have run a 160 in the summer and never had a problem. Just my opinion and a 160 would be alot better than having nothing in there
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Never run a 160 stat. It may "seem" like it's running OK, but the engine isn't running at the proper temp and it's causing serious long-term damage. It may not make itself apparent for several years, but there is no good reason to run a stat 30 degrees colder than the manufacturer recommends.
Posting Guru
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From: Mass.
From what ive seen there fine given that your using them in the right situation. if its 80-90 degrees day to day it doesnt seem like a bad idea but in the winter maybe so. IMO they wouldnt make 160 thermostats if they didnt have a purpose just my .02
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Mass.
not trying to start anything here but then why do the thermostat companies make a 160 thermostat for this application then? i dont think theyd make them just for the hell of it if there wasnt a use for them. what situation would be the correct use for a 160 thermostat. just curious