Temp guage... Thermostat?? - Diesel Forum

Barebackcwby2003 · 12-11-2005, 04:01 PM

Im just a little curious about something, dont have the funds at all to get into my elbows (yet)
When cruising my temp guage barilly hits the N in normal, (i know the factory guages suck) But as soon as i let off the pedal, or coast down a hill it drops about 3/4 way down to the line. (not the C, but the first bar past it) This kind of seems to me like I need a thermostat. The truck warms up nicely and gets REAL hot inside when the heat is cranked. It has done this eversence ive owned it (Sept. 2005) so in warm weather it does the same. NEVER gone past the bottom of R in normal, only twice have I gotten that warm, and that was towing up a real good grade, about 1/8 mile before the top, and gettin outt of a MUDDY cornfield.
Im not conserned at all, just curious what u guys think, does it need one or not??

mgraveman · 12-11-2005, 04:11 PM

maybe a loose wire on the sender?? That does not sound right on the cooling so fast part. My guage reads the same otherwise though.

OkieGringo · 12-11-2005, 09:38 PM

First thing to do is get a REAL mech temp gauge, not a electric, in it. You do not want to over heat these puppies, and the OEM gauge is nothing but an 'idiot gauge'. You absolutely cannot believe anything it shows. Post back when the new gauge is in, and we'll go from there if necessary. OkieGringo

Barebackcwby2003 · 12-13-2005, 06:09 PM

Ok, thanks gringo, I appreciate it. She deffinatly isnt running hot. (at least sure doesnt feel like it! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/phoney.gif[/img] ) When I bought it back in Sept. it had, had the waterpump, New 4 core Rad. and fun clutch all replaced VERY recently, (along with Batts, and starter, hehehe)
Now, you said Mechanical, Im not familliar with plumbing a mechanical guage. Am I going to have to run acctual coolant tubing inside the cab? Where is the BEST place on the motor to get the best reading? Thanks Gringo!

OkieGringo · 12-13-2005, 10:05 PM

It's real similar to an electric, but it has a very small hollow copper tube which will be coiled up when you get. Uncoil the tube VERY carefully so that you don't pinch it off. You just run the tube thru the firewall, usually from the engine compartment into the cab to wherever you mount the gauge. On mine I put the probe in the drivers side head where the original "idiot gauge" was. The only OEM gauges that I watch are Fuel, Tach, Speedo. OG

jayf63 · 12-14-2005, 09:54 AM

But what's wrong with say an Auto Meter electrical temp gauge? Are they unreliable?

OkieGringo · 12-14-2005, 10:05 AM

[ QUOTE ]
But what's wrong with say an Auto Meter electrical temp gauge? Are they unreliable?

[/ QUOTE ]

I won't say they're unreliable. Electrical connections can come loose or corrode at the most inopportune times. Do what you want [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]. OG

jayf63 · 12-14-2005, 04:31 PM

Sure, anything can fail, even little coolant tubes [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]. I was just wondering if you'd had a particular bad experience.

OkieGringo · 12-14-2005, 06:56 PM

Yes, back in the old days, the electrical was off by 10 degrees. Maybe they're better now. I'll let you be my 'guinea pig' [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]. OG

caseyj · 12-14-2005, 07:20 PM

I have a similar temp reading on my truck and it's been there for about three years. If I start on a trip, the temp will gradually move up to just below the "N". Once I stop and then restart, my temp guage will go over to the red zone and stay there for sometimes another hundred miles. If again, I stop it will drop back to normal. It's unpredictable when it will happen but un-nerving when pulling my RV on the inter state.

I've removed the sender and cleaned up the probe and it still does the same thing. This Spring, I am going to go through the coolant system and replace the thermostat, hoses, etc. I also had an earlier Ford that did the same thing and at that time I did replace the sender and it did cure the problem. This time, I am more inclined to replace the thermostat as it's behavior seems to indicate a sticking problem?

Barebackcwby2003 · 12-15-2005, 04:32 PM

Thanks Gringo I think im going to go with the electric. When I get some dough, or if Ive been a good lil boy this year Santa just might bring me some Autometer guages and a tripal guage pillar pod for christmas! hehehe [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

dbarilow · 12-15-2005, 10:39 PM

most of the time a good jolt to the dash will get the gauge thinking straight