Cool temp

[Wertles]

2006 5. 9 with 93,000 miles and Smarty Jr. Set on Towing. I have owned the truck since mile 1. I have the OEM radiator winter cover with 2 flaps open. I know the truck has always taken a good 15 miles to warm up to operating temps in the winter but lately I have noticed that if I stop and idle for 3 minutes, the temp gauge will drop quite a bit. Just wondering if it is time for a new thermostat or if it everyone else running up north is having the same experience. I don't want to replace something that is working just fine.

 

[AWeiman]

depending on how cold it is outside if the truck is just idling it is normal for the temp to drop some. my 01 and 06 the temp will drop in both of them if the air temp is in the teens or colder.

 

[Slow Six]

They will cool off easily when it is cold. I always use the exhaust brake and turn up the idle speed so engine temp stays up. This also keeps cab temp up.

 

[DaveHess]

Wertles I have watched mine do that many times with the Mopar Winter front on and the four front flaps open. I had the truck up on the interstate here about a week ago where she ran just below the 200 mark but by the time I got off the ramp and into my fuel stop, the needle was about 1/16" lower (center of "2" instead of being between "2" and "0") than it was at highway speeds. That was at about 19 degrees ambient. Hope this helps.

 

[Wertles]

That settles it. I'm leaving well enough alone. Most days in winter when i use the truck I am hooking up to a snowmobile trailer but without snow, the truck is getting very little use. I take it out once every two weeks or so to keep batteries charged etc and just noticed how long it takes to warm up and how quick to cool down. I've been driving a gasser so much lately I get spoiled when I have heat by the end of the road. I just thought my thermostat might be failing in the open position. I guess I can just thank my massive, well functioning and efficient cooling system.

 

[DaveHess]

Here is something else for you Wertles. I towed to CO from ND this past summer and about halfway through WY, the temp gauge began a slow crawl to the second "0" in 200. I stopped at the next rest area, left it idle with the hood open and at 90 degrees ambient, it cooled down to between the "2" and first "0". In my case I did not get a check engine light but a quick check of the codes netted me a P0483 for Coolant fan speed. I have a new fan clutch getting ready to go in but when it is single to low double digits outside here, it's all I can do to get heat in the cab! BTW, I see you are in Rochester. I am originally from Orchard Park.