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1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  

proper temp.

Old Aug 5, 2009 | 09:15 PM
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proper temp.

Just bought a 97 f250 PSD 4x4 automatic with 178000 miles. It seems to take an awful long time to warm up and when it does warm up, the temp only goes to the first line of the "normal" range. I haven't had time to take it out and drive it for an hour, but long enough for what I would assume would be enough time to warm up. This is my first diesel, is it normal for them to take a long time to warm up?
 
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Old Aug 5, 2009 | 09:49 PM
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Thermostat is likely stuck open. Mine had a hunk of silicon stuck in it keeping it open when I got it.

And welcome to the forum!!!
 
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Old Aug 5, 2009 | 10:08 PM
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Thanks, I was thinking that to. Not sure how old the thermostat is thats in there now, so it wouldnt hurt to replace it anyway. I'll do that first and see if it makes a difference.
 
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Old Aug 6, 2009 | 05:56 AM
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Remember that there is 15 quarts of oil that need to be warmed up before your water temp can start getting into the operating range.

When I used to run the stock water temperature gauge I believe mine would not get very far past the beginning of the normal line.

In any case, if you do replace it make sure you get the 203 stat instead of the regular one from a parts house.
 
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Old Aug 6, 2009 | 10:52 PM
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I agree with you FARM69, mine was cold all the time before the 203 stat.
 
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Old Aug 7, 2009 | 06:47 AM
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Bet it's about normal, mine barely makes it to the N in normal most of the time, when I'm towing the camper she'll get about half way on a long hill. Definately gonna do the 203 very soon!!

Slick
 
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Old Aug 7, 2009 | 05:18 PM
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well mabe the guy before me put a 203 in before i got it? my truck runs at between the o and r in normal, but my cusins just stay on the first line before normal.
 
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Old Aug 7, 2009 | 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by yoslick
Bet it's about normal, mine barely makes it to the N in normal most of the time, when I'm towing the camper she'll get about half way on a long hill. Definately gonna do the 203 very soon!!

Slick
Exactly how mine is.... it will get up a little higher when the trailer is on it and im going up the big hill to the track, but other than that, it does not do much...
 
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Old Aug 8, 2009 | 04:06 PM
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I would get a 203 but I keep getting mixed reviews. With big oil some people are saying not to run the 203....
 
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Old Aug 8, 2009 | 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by gt8684
I would get a 203 but I keep getting mixed reviews. With big oil some people are saying not to run the 203....
I have the adrenaline and 203, what are these mixed reviews? I know the adrenaline is not big oil but I've heard it called medium oil, lol.
 
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Old Aug 8, 2009 | 06:48 PM
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I asked it like a few months ago and I think tj and coon said that against it if I remember correctly
 
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