Hey guys,

The first of the hot weather has hit us here in WI, so hello summer! I was on my lunch break today and it was 97 degrees. I took the truck for a 10 mile drive to a store, and I looked down while at a stoplight and saw my temp gauge was creeping right over the half way mark by a hair. I was sitting behind a few cars, and the A/C was cranking. You all know how I drive too, its fairly aggressive. Pulled in to the lot, the needle didnt go down much. Shut it off, came back 5 minutes later, and it was elevated like it normally is about 1/8-1/4" above the half way point. Started it up and it came down, and I pulled out the tuner. Im running at 208-210 degrees for the engine temp, and 98-99 for the coolant temp and that was for the ride back to work. Is the engine temp ok? Could someone tell me where I should feel comfortable, where I should get nervous, and where I better be turning off the truck? Im really not sure. Any help is appreciated.

Bobby

 

well according to the gauge anywhere between the 2 black lines is "normal" but i dont like it going over the center line at all. Im sure it will be ok if it is alittle bit over. And next time you see it doing that turn the A/C off and roll down the windows. The temp should drop.

 

I am no expert in this, but I would think 280-290 would be my max. I would start to worry if it was staying at that temp for ever. Before I changed my stat I have seen mine go over the half way mark, but never stayed there for more than 10 mins.

When was the last time you checked the condition of your coolant? When was the last time you took a high pressure to your radiator to clean all the mud, or bugs out?

 

i feel the same way with mine even with my 180tstat and efan on constantly when engine is warm. but its naturally going to be higher when you shut the engine off. i would suggest getting a efan or a 180stat. but half way is fine even though i like it lower.

 

260+ or the coolant boiling is the breaking point for dangerous and 230+ for extended use. The needle will creep up when parked for a few minutes because the coolant is no longer circulating and the engine still has residual heat.

Btw engines are designed for the oil to reach 212° because water will vaporize and remive its self through the pcv/ crankcase breather.

 

Alright, good to know! Thanks for all the input guys. I just would hate to overheat or anything. The radiator is clean, Im not sure about the coolant though. Ive been debating whether or not to take it to the dealer for the coolant flush special of 50 bucks. I dont really want to mess around with it myself. I wish the guage in the truck was atleast marked with numbers so I could see just how hot it is when its over the halfway point without having to use the tuner.

 

You have a coupon for the $50.00 flush? If so, send me a copy! My dealer will match it!

 

I should have it in my email, I will try to dig it up tomorrow when I check it at home.

 

a little late here, but i figured i'd add my 2 cents, my needle stays a needle width below center (been mid-90's for a week now) until I come to a stop, then it will creep up to a needle width above center. When it does that and then I accelerate, you can tell the fan has "locked" or "clutched" or whatever the h$ll it does cause it makes a tremendous roaring sound till I get up to speed then it stops and the needle is back where it usually is. My trucks got 68k on it now so, the coolant still looks clean, but I figure I'll change it out anyway and backflush the system, if I can ever figure out what we're supposed to put in these things....

 

Its like Zerex Z05 or something like that. I could only find it at Napa. I got a bottle sitting in the garage if you need a pic of what the container looks like.