Coolant Temp Fluctuation

[dwalker151]

OK. . Here's a little story about a 91 Ram. I purchased a 1991 3/4 ton ram. She's bone stock. I noticed that when driven the engine temp fluctuates quite a bit. So I decide to change the thermostat. I went down to my local NAPA and bought a thermostat, Rubber tube. The parts man also gave me a small piece of gasket paper to make a gasket out of.



Thats all fine and dandy but when I take the thing apart I can't find any gasket?? Then when I installed the new thermostat it seemed to make the fluctuating problem worse.



Any ideas???



Thanks

Dean

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

1st send the NAPA thermostat back , they are junk and don't waste your time, you will be back in replacing it in a couple weeks. Also with the Cummins OEM thermostat, I have Lots of heat in the cab even during the coldest days here in Michigan.

2nd get a new thermostat from your local Cummins dealer, ask them for the thermostat, that does not have wide temp. swings, like you are currently having. Cummins lists 2 different ones for the 6BT, they came out with another thermostat to stop the swinging temp gauge, but you have to ask for it. Also the blue plastic thing that came with your thermostat IS NOT to make a gasket, it is a template used for marking an old style head so you can grind it out so the new thermostat will fit, and your truck should be fine. The only gasket you use is the rubber one that comes with the thermostat, and I also use a little sealent on the neck and engine hook(I like the new stuff that comes in a chez wizz container, its pricey but works great).

Hope this helps

Kyle

 

[dwalker151]

Thanks

Thanks for all your help. After looking at where the sender is mounted I can see why you would get temprature swings in the guage.



Thanks Again



Dean