Got my Ram about 2 years ago with 100K on the clock. I don't drive it that much (it's pretty much a backup vehicle) so the fact that the engine temp has always only risen to the first notch on the guage has never bothered me much. I've heard that running cool can be detrimental, but if we're using the truck as a towing vehicle, can this actually be an advantage? We just got a camper and I'm wondering if we should get the thermostat checked, or would we be better off leaving it as is?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

 

It might just be your gauge. That or I would guess a new thermostat. As far as longevity, I have no idea.

 

Your gauge is proably just off. But if it's only going up to the first notch and it's not the guage then your truck is alway running in open loop and you're getting worse gas mileage than you could be and if you have emmissions testing where you live you would probably fail it.

 

Three things come to mind:
1) The temp sensor is bad
2) There is no t-stat in the housing
3) The radiator was replaced in the past with a unit too large which is wicking away all of the heat

I would crack the t-stat housing open and see if there is a t-stat in there. A friend had broken down once on a trip due to overheating. The garage that towed her car claimed to have replaced the t-stat, yet when she had returned she complained that the car never warmed up. I opened the housing to find that those lazy SOB's merely broked everything out of the t-stat and installed the ring portion.

 

I believe the guage is working correctly, because I've noticed in cold weather the heater has never gotten the cabin very warm.

 

...and also, my mileage does suck. I calculated 13 mpg last year.

 

You have a serious issue to look into.

 

You're scaring me, but isn't it as simple as getting a new thermostat?

 

Yes, thats probably what the problem is and its the cheapest/easiest. Go get a 180 degree thermo, a little cooler then stock and you won't be in open loop.

 

First, you have to see if you even have one. If you're lucky, you have one and it failed in the open position.