I just replaced the water pump in my truck. It no longer overheats, but runs about a needles width above 200 degrees. I asume that is about 205. Is this to hot? Should I put in a 180 thermostat or is this normal. Thanks for any help.

 

When you changed the pump, did you bleed the cooling system of any air left in there? It could be an air pocket causing to do that.

 

Mine runs right about there but it does drop below the 200 mark when the t-stat opens. Then it goes back up to there when the t-stat closes.

 

Not sure how to bleed the air out of the system. How should I go about doing it? Thanks

 

That seems to be a little warmer than it should be running. I just changed mine and all I did was fill the radiator, run it for a while, fill it, run it, fill it ... and eventually it quit eating fluid and it was all full. I guess I don't really know how to "bleed" the system either, but mine seems to be running at a normal temp.

I will say this though, since I bought my truck (spankin' new off the lot) the temp needle was always around a 1/4" below the 210 mark (NEVER higher or lower), but now that I replaced the water pump the gage is at a consistent 1/8" (guessing about 190 degrees). This seems odd to me, as I replaced the thermostat with the stock unit (195 i think). I did replace the temp sensor though, maybe that is the difference? Did you replace yours?

 

Park your truck on a level lot or on a slight hill pointing up. Take the Rad cap off and start your truck. let it idle for a while. After the stat opens, air bubbles should slowly release. Continually fill the rad until no more air purges out. I would let it idle for about 30 minutes. Good luck.

 

+1 just curb the front passenger wheel and fill, you can rev the engine a few times to try to push the air thru as well.

It's also possible that the "power" of a new pump has dislodged something that's plugged the t stat or radiator tubes themselves.

 

I didnt replace the temp sensor. I wish I would have replaced that and the t stat while in there. I did replace the fan clutch. Its just to hot here in Az. to have a truck running warmer than normal. I will try squirrels tip and see what happens. thanks.

 

I bled the system, and no air bubbles came out of the cap. I noticed when I let it get up to temp while idling, if I get on the gas some it will go down to just below 200 degrees. Think my radiator is clogged?

 

Sounds like it is to me. I was told when flushing the rad to stick a hoes in there and get all that crap out.