Pickup temperature issues

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t-rex - 26 Dec 2006 23:41 GMT

I have a 1995 Pickup whose temperature guage has never (owned for 6
years) read quite right. It begins showing about 140F and at full
running temp (about 195F) still reads only about 1/4 scale. I can't
seem to find the temp sending unit to check if that is the problem.

Also lately, the thermostat has gone soft, but the only replacement I
can find is another 190+ degree, and I am wondering if there is a
source for any other temp - preferably around 160 to 175?

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Ed H. - 28 Dec 2006 01:01 GMT

The sending unit should be near where the hose comes out of the block to
return to the top of the radiator.

I would stay with the factory thermostat. If you start running it that much
cooler, the computer will think it's still in warm up mode and add extra gas
and/or not start checking other parameters and you will probably see a drop
in fuel economy as well as drivability (throttle response, etc.). Gas
engines get more efficient the hotter they run, it's a matter of how hot the
materials can be that determines the thermostat to use.

>I have a 1995 Pickup whose temperature guage has never (owned for 6
> years) read quite right. It begins showing about 140F and at full
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> can find is another 190+ degree, and I am wondering if there is a
> source for any other temp - preferably around 160 to 175?

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t-rex - 29 Dec 2006 21:12 GMT

Thanks for the info.
If all else fails, I will replace with the factory thermostat,
but at this time I am seeing temps between 140 and
160 with no significant loss of milage. As this truck
has nearly a quarter million miles on it, I am not too
concerned with performance - more interested in not
blowing hoses and gaskets. Any temperature thermostat
would help it warm up quicker though.

TRex

> The sending unit should be near where the hose comes out of the block to
> return to the top of the radiator.
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> > can find is another 190+ degree, and I am wondering if there is a
> > source for any other temp - preferably around 160 to 175?

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GreenGas - 12 Jan 2007 02:46 GMT

You will drastically increase the wear occurring in your engine by running
it that cool. Ed H is right about the efficiency of gasoline engines - what
goes along with that is cylinder wall wear and bearing wear is much much
less in engines that are running hotter. You should be working with a 195
degree temp thermostat. If you are having hose problems, replace them with
new and solve your worries.
Green Gas

> Thanks for the info.
> If all else fails, I will replace with the factory thermostat,
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
>> > can find is another 190+ degree, and I am wondering if there is a
>> > source for any other temp - preferably around 160 to 175?

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