Engine Running Hot?

[Parshal]

I took this picture yesterday while driving (yep, I know, bad idea!) at 75mph in 65 degree temperatures with about 200 lbs. of stuff in the bed. The truck seems to be running hotter than it used to and I'm wondering what's going to happen when it's over 95 this summer.



Is this about the temperature everyone else's is running?

 

[MMeier]

Appears normal to me, mine reads the same!! Mark

 

[Parshal]

Originally posted by MMeier

Appears normal to me, mine reads the same!! Mark

That's what I wanted to hear!

 

[Slow Six]

Since I live in Canada my guage is marked in celsius, but that is where it runs. In my opinion this temp. is about perfect. With the cooling system that is on these 03s I don't think you will have any problems. I really like the way the temperature stabilizes unlike my 94. I am running a 195 thermostsat year around in my 94 and towing in hot weather and overloaded the engine temp. stays in an acceptable range, so I expect the same from my 03. I can hardly wait to get my fiver out of the snow banks at the ski hill and go for a tow.

 

[Parshal]

Originally posted by Slow Six

... I am running a 195 thermostsat year around in my 94...

What temperature thermostat is in the '03?

 

[Dean Upson]

Looks the same as mine does.



Dean

 

[Summit]

mine runs @195-200. i liked the 180* in the 01... ..... hmmm... ... ... i wonder? anyone swapped an 03 yet?

 

[whamby]

same am mine.

 

[Steve G]

Same temp as mine.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Probably largely related to EPA and emissions - hotter running, as compared to previous engines, usually results in cleaner exhaust in some categories - by way of comparison, my '02 typically runs at 180 degrees, and will only ocassionally rise slightly to 190 in steepest grades pulling our 7000 lb fiver...

 

[CATCRACKER]

mine is the same but i dont like it i want a 180 thermo... anyone?

 

[Casey Balvert]

It is probably another of these virtual gauges where the needle points to where DC thinks the customer wants to see it. Might just as well have an idiot light for all the good it really does.

 

[dgieson]

I put a temp sensor in my engine oil and it reads 195-200 just as the factory engine temp gauge.



Dave

 

[Boonieman]

My 2001 ran 190-200 degrees and the 2003 runs the same way. I think diesels prefer to run a little warmer, and I'm not sure the 180 thermostat is a good idea. ... but, I'm certainly no expert on the matter.

 

[Parshal]

Originally posted by Casey Balvert

It is probably another of these virtual gauges where the needle points to where DC thinks the customer wants to see it. Might just as well have an idiot light for all the good it really does.

I doubt that's true at all. I see the gauge all over the place on short trips and figure out when the thermostat opens just by watching the gauge.

 

[Dean Upson]

I am pretty sure the temp gauge is the real deal.



Dean

 

[dan.poitras]

I've monitored the coolant temp with a OBD2 program and it's actual unlike the aforementioned virtual oil press guage.

 

[Big MAK]

I don't think you should run a 180 themostat unless you always tend to run hot; like always towing heavy. If you're ordinarily in the 200 range that's good. Running too cool doesn't allow contaminants to distill out of the coolant; IMO. Read that somewhere... . now feel free to shoot me down. But makes sense. We've had the same debate about putting the 170 degree thermostat on the Camaro -- not good unless you're having a 'too hot' problem.

 

[Parshal]

Originally posted by dan. poitras

... unlike the aforementioned virtual oil press guage.

I remember seeing mention of the virtual oil pressure gauge but I thought most people shot that one down. I know I can watch my pressure go down as the engine warms up so I'm fairly convinced it's a "real" gauge.

 

[Dean Upson]

I'm fairly convinced it's a "real" gauge

Parshal,



The operation of the oil pressure gauge is explained on page 8J - 32 of the 2003 Service Manual.



Under "OPERATION



ENGINE OIL PRESSURE MESSAGE - the instrument cluster circuitry restricts the oil pressure gauge needle operation in order to provide readings that are consistent with customer expectations. Each time the cluster receives a message from the PCM or ECM indicating the engine oil pressure is above about 41kPa (6 psi) the cluster holds the gauge needle at point near the middle increment within the normal range of the gauge scale. "





In other words a virtual gauge or glorified idiot light.



Dean