Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Cooling ?'s

[16919]

My water temp (engine temp gauge) on the dash doesn't seem to be working. When it does work it will just barely get to operating temp range. The truck was sitting for about 4 weeks then after driving it for a few times it started acting weird. These are on 90* days so I know something is not right, it doesn't run that cold. Could my thermostat be stuck or bad? Some type of sensor? Thanks in advance.

 

[pgleavitt]

I noticed when my thermostat went bad the temp. gauge would cycle up and down alot. Would reach operating temp(190) and then go way down and then back up.

 

[16919]

So you think my t-stat is bad... ... is there a cheap place to get one other than the dealer? Or online?

 

[TBartlett1]

You should be able to get them at advance auto, or any other auto parts store and they run pretty cheap. Not sure off the top of my head about the price, but for my first gen it didn't really hurt the wallet.

 

[FourBarR]

i have noticed here that members have had trouble with after market thermostats. I would recommend going to Cummins.

 

[16919]

Are they hard to change... . I am not the mechanic type but would like to save on the $$$$$$ if I can. Where about is it... yeah I know.

 

[georgej]

Cummins t-stat, easy to change(two small metric bolts), go easy retightening the bolts Oh at the end of the upper hose!

 

[16919]

Cummins t-stat, easy to change(two small metric bolts), go easy retightening the bolts Oh at the end of the upper hose!

On the block or the radiator? Not too sure what you are talking about... ... . I don't know where the thermostat is.

 

[RSimmons]

Block end.

 

[pgleavitt]

I bought one from Autozone type place and it was very cheap looking compared to a cummins thermostat. I went with a cummins.

 

[JFlagg]

James, Cummins dealer up by Lambert should have them, give me a call, I can help, shouldn't take 15 minutes.

 

[BigPapa]

I noticed when my thermostat went bad the temp. gauge would cycle up and down alot. Would reach operating temp(190) and then go way down and then back up.

This is normal operation. There has been much discussion about it and how to "fix" it.



Scott

 

[OL RATLR]

My water temp (engine temp gauge) on the dash doesn't seem to be working. When it does work it will just barely get to operating temp range. The truck was sitting for about 4 weeks then after driving it for a few times it started acting weird. These are on 90* days so I know something is not right, it doesn't run that cold. Could my thermostat be stuck or bad? Some type of sensor? Thanks in advance.

Just changed mine out with the symptoms you described working well now.

I bought mine at Napa around $24. 00

 

[DLMcpherson]

i once owned a 94 t/d. it would never heat up from the day that i bought it new. after dealer put on 4 thermostats in 2 years, they finally called Cummins. The Knowledgable tech said to check the coolant by-pass hose on the water pump that goes to the block. This looks like an orifice screwed into the block, but in reality it has a floating poppet in it(or should anyway). unless you were under heavy load, the water by-passed the thermostat and it was enough flow to not heat up my engine. this was my problem.



hope this helps, David

 

[MWilleford]

James,

My thermostat just went out. . but has been acting funny all summer... but never got over 190, ever. I first thought it may be my sender unit, but I noticed when going down a few mountain passes this month the engine temp would drop to 120 or lower, and would be at or around 190 going up the pass, loaded--bingo. (it would usually hold 180 when going down the pass for 10miles etc)

glad the T-stat failed open.

Purchased the new one for $48 from dodge, figured I could get for 30 from cummins, but theres no way I would go aftermarket on this.

Hopefully this fixes your problem!

 

[16919]

Got it all fixed... ... . the t-stat was destroyed. Runs like a champ now.