normally my truck runs at 210 (or at least that is that the gague says). Recently it hasn't gotten up to that temp, so i did the basic checks; thermostat, rad cap, sender unit. Turns out that the thermostat was ok (replaced anyway), and i flushed the system when it was out. Now i am driving arround getting ~10-12mpg when 2 weeks ago i was getting almost 22.

 

210 sounds a little high, most vehichles run from 185 too 200, if you are sucking gas and notice a power loss, you may have a big problem,
if your vehicle was running hot you risk blowing gaskets warping and or cracing a head, you should have a tech take a look at it

 

considering the temp pickup is less than 1 inch away from the thermostat - and the thermostat is made to open at 195... it seems (at least to me) that running at 210 is normal. it allows the thermostat to open all the way, if it ran cooler...the theromstat would cycle open and closed (like mine does now!). ps- its in open loop mode...its running fantastic, just too much gas!

 

Ok, think the dakota is running too cold, sorry to everyone... i just caught the kid from down the street with a gas can and a syphon tube by my truck... select words to him..., locking gas cap tomorrow!!! Sorry to take up space on the forum!

 

Your truck is running way to hot at 210, the way it works is the clutch for the fan is disengaged untill 180*, the thermoustat will open at 196*, If your vehicle gets to 210 and sits there your thermoustat is bad, you have a callapsing hose or your airfilter could be clogged, yes this can get into a differant side of the system. That would restrict cool air from getting into your combustian chambers and make the air less dence and it would act starved meening its gonna take more fuel to compensate. The other side of this could be a bad injector, thatll screw with temp, and a clogged fuel filter or week fuel pump

 

Beat that @$$ lol

Now it's time for retribution pranks
Even Santa would approve lol

Justice will be had!

 

Wow its not to often that you catch them anyway my dak runs about 180-200max

 

edit: just realized this post was from 2005, sorry for the necro.