Engine Temp

[jackcaptjr]

Just purchased a 2004 3500 4X4 HO-6spd 373. Love the truck. However,

the engine opp temp seems to run hotter than my old 99. The 99 runs about a needle with below the 190 on the gage and that is after the truck is under a considerable load. lightly loaded the temp gage runs well below the half way point. I have serviced the old truck several times and changed the thermostat every 30K miles. The std one for the 99 is 195f.

The 2004 truck runs mid scale but now that is 200f and that is under a light load. Did the factory up the thermostat rating and for what purpose????

 

[lschultz]

Yes they up the t-stat temp for that emissions bull I would imagine. Although the 04 I have runs a tad cooler than the 03 I had going by the temp. gage.

 

[sag2]

My 03 gauge was right on according to the scan tool. Most of the time it runs about a needle width below 200, and the ECM would read 190-195. Have not checked the 04, but the gauge acts the same.

 

[rbattelle]

My ECT according to the ECM is 183-189 running empty on the highway at 60-80. This is in the cold weather, and I assume it will increase a bit during summer. Thermostat opens between 190 and 194 degrees indicated.



These are all numbers read directly from the ECM during normal driving, rather than eyeballing from the factory needle.

 

[ACerf]

Temp Gauge

When I am not towing, I am running just under 200. Towing I have gone up to about 210, and that was climbing a grede. The thing that I noticed is how long it take to get a reading on the gauge period! That sucker takes for ever to warm up!

 

[lil red cummins]

when mine does finally warm up, in this 15 to 30 degree weather, i watched it go just slightly past 200 and then quickly come back down to just under 200. must be where the thermostat opens initially. after that it stays right there. i have half the radiator blocked. even at 55 degrees at 70 mph the temp gauge behaved the same way.

jim

 

[Blakers]

Has anyone taken their fan off their 03 or 04 yet? Lots of guys take the fans off their 12 valve trucks in the winter.

 

[jackcaptjr]

New data on the T-stat. Checked the old 99 T-stat last evening and found it to be a 180f not 195 as I had thought (getting old I guess, can't read) pulled the 2004 and found it to be a 190f and much smaller in the size of the opening where the actual coolent flows. Installed one of the 180f T-stats and the 2004 temp is now acting like the 99. I like that much better. No warm up issues here in Austin TX.

 

[jackcaptjr]

Where are you guys getting the boxes to read the ECM data? Would like to have one if it's not an arm and a leg.

 

[rbattelle]

Originally posted by jackcaptjr

Where are you guys getting the boxes to read the ECM data? Would like to have one if it's not an arm and a leg.

Got mine here. It's just one of many choices.

 

[Crunch]

Re: Temp Gauge

Originally posted by ACerf

The thing that I noticed is how long it take to get a reading on the gauge period! That sucker takes for ever to warm up!

Keep in mind that the lowest reading on the gauge is 140*. Once it budges you are only 50* from normal operating temperatures. Also, by the time it moves your oil is flowing great and you should be getting reasonable heat in the cab.

 

[Blakers]

Originally posted by rbattelle

Got mine here. It's just one of many choices.

How much $$$?

 

[ACerf]

Temp

Doesn't the "Quick Check" offered by Cummins give you all of the information that one would need with regards to engine functions? I think it runs about $475, plus the palm pilot.

 

[rbattelle]

Re: Temp

Originally posted by ACerf

Doesn't the "Quick Check" offered by Cummins give you all of the information that one would need with regards to engine functions? I think it runs about $475, plus the palm pilot.

Quickcheck will NOT work with the new ECM. See this thread.



Blakers,

I paid $182 out the door for the top-of-the-line Tricom connector.

 

[ACerf]

I am sure given some time, Quick Check will be up graded for ECM. It doesn't take Cummins long to get things changed. This is a neet unit and is fun to use.