I'm having a problem with my truck. It is not getting up to temperature. I've flushed the system, replaced tstat 195 degrees. Upper radiator hose still no pressure. I get heat out of the heater. I was tackling fixing the stock gauges. The temp gauge has always measured low but now it's sits on C. Measured temp with laser not more than 150. I need a new direction.
Dan

 

Bad thermostat. Didn't put a safety stat in there by any chance did ya?

 

Don't know what a safety stat is? This is my 3rd new 195 degree stat. If you mean a safety rad cap, then yes. I will be changing that put today for a non lever cap.

 

The cap is likely fine. The safety stat is designed to fail open.... which of course, they do within about 15 minutes of installation. Get a GOOD quality stat, like a Stant, or similar.

 

It was the radiator cap.

 

Interesting. I wouldn't expect the radiator cap to affect coolant temp all that much. Learn somethin' new every day.

 

Yea sorry I didn't complete findings. The upper radiator hose was always soft. The system was never building pressure even after driving for an hour. Never lost any coolant, the cap was the last item I didn't replace. Like you, I never expected the cap. Like you said, learn something new. So now the upper hose is solid when hot. However, my gauge still doesn't read anything.. Another problem, another day. Thanks for the comment. I hope others can use this experience.

 

I’m very puzzled. How does the rad cap prevent the engine from warming up? All the cap does, as far as I know, is allow the system to build pressure which raises the boiling point. I was dealing with an engine that would get hot and not cool down. They said it could be the rad cap. So now we have two opposite situations and the rad cap won’t let it get hot and won’t let it cool down. This is confusing.

 

Where did you take the reading?

 

Taken at the thermostat housing. The engine block only go to 180s.
This engine has always run cool since I bought it is 1994.
The truck has always been a "dog". The I read about if the engine doesn't reach normal operating temp, the engine/computer would not run correctly.
The other thing I found is the clutch fan is not disengaging when cold. Found that it is leaking fluid. Will change it today.
Still not finished yet. Engine is still not above 195 but better.