It is in the low 90's here in Louisiana and I am having overheating problems. first, I had to replace the radiator because it split. I thought this was the reason it overheated, I found a used one, and filled it with a waterhose prior to installing it and it seemed to flow fine. She overheated again. I took out the thermostat, the thermostat did seem faulty, had a really weak spring.
Put it back together minus the thermostat. Overheated again.
I flushed out the heater coil and changed out the waterpump (for new one). The old Durango is now running at around between 210 and 215 when "warm". Is this too warm? am I just being paranoid? what is considered normal operating temperature? I know that stock thermostats open up at 195 so is that the reccomended range?
It does not have an e-fan only the stock clutch fan and it seems to be operating properly (spins less than a revolution when spun by hand)

what am I missing?

 

Running temp, exclusive of environment (below zero wind, etc) should be the same regardless of season.

Should run 205 tops. And yes you need a stat. Don't run without one.

IndyD

 

205! it sounds like I am still running hot. any ideas what else I can check to find out what is making it run hot?

 

Yes. Let's start with year and motor combo? Makes a difference on what the answer is.

IndyD

 

i noticed mine this weekend in the FL heat sit right in the middle of the gauge. normally it sits just under half way.

 

210 is middle gauge, so... 205 would be just left of center (195 - 200 is even better.) Right of center like you had is borderline too hot.

Again, we need his year and motor to continue here.

IndyD

 

with no T-stat and still running hot, I'd look into a possible heat gasket issue because it overheated. Compression test and antifreeze pressure test. The other thing could be bad sensor.

But we need year and engine.

 

what is everyone running for coolant? anyone running water wetter or engine ice? they notice any difference in operating temps?

 

Sorry, it is a 5.2 '99 4x4 Durango.
My dad told me that without the thermostat it will run hot because the thermostat restricts the waterflow enough to allow it time in the radiator to cool off before making the revolution back to the engine. this sounds right, anyone else heard of this?

Oh and mine sits just right of center which I am guessing is about 215 since center says 210.

 

i think your dad is an idiot (sorry to offend) without the t-stat in place the truck will warm up MUCH more slowly(if it warms up at all) and will run cooler than normal, and btw normal temp is either dead center of just left of center(on the cooler side, not the warmer side) mine only hits center if i ride too close to someone in stop and go traffic otherwise the fans do their job and i sit just under half way up even in the heat of summer