Normal engine temps?

[OKish]

Im just wondering what the normal engine temps are on out trucks? My 89 when driving might get to the 2nd small line on the guage and when towing it gets to the 3rd. When i start the truck in the morning it takes forever to warm up and it wont even get to the 1st small line. the heat works great when the guage gets off the peg. Think i need a new thermostat? the fan clutch never seems to engage like its always running too cold.

 

[91W350]

I agree, it sounds like it is thermostat time. All three of mine sit right on or around that second line. Never saw one get to the third line. I think all diesels in good mechanical condition are slow to warm up. Glen

 

[OKish]

so, my thermostat seems fine? once the guage flared up to about half way and came back down after about 30 seconds.

 

[JLEONARD]

I have 3 or 4 minutes drive to the expressway, then it takes about another 3 to 4 miles for mine to come up to full temp when the air temps are really cold. Then the heat blasts me out of the cab and the temp needle never budges from there.

I think that's normal.

 

[Greenleaf]

These engine operate cold if your just cruz'n. They cooling system is designed for loads. Beside, you can't tell what it's doing with them OEM gauges. You'll need an accurate gauge. Same with engine oil pressure. The OEM units give you some idea of what's going on. They simply are NOT designed for troubleshooting nor for the serious truck operator/enthusiest.



It's that simple.

 

[Phil Stuart]

My 89 seems like it takes forever and then a day to even start to warm up when it's cold. When it is warm, never see the needle move much at all past the second tick mark. Before I replaced the thermostat it was around the third or fourth mark. Cooling systems designed for serious loads on the engine.



Phil S

 

[JLEONARD]

The temps must be over 140 F or you are not within the design parameters of the materials and clearances of the engine. You won't burn efficiently either.

That said, I've checked my gage with my temp gun... . I know I'm running at 180-190 F all the time... winter/summer, loaded or empty... . once the thermostat open that is, which takes from 5 to 10 minutes or so depending upon outside air temp load.

My marine Cummins, which has a more efficient cooling system, ran 170 once warmed up even at idle, to about 195 under heavy load.



But I have no clue what my true oil pressure is... other than it's a positive number. :-laf



perhaps I should spend a night at a Holiday Inn Express????

 

[91W350]

But I have no clue what my true oil pressure is... other than it's a positive number.

:-laf :-laf JLeonard, that line was great! :-laf :-laf

 

[OKish]

well, i'd assume it would be bad if you have negative oil pressure.

 

[91W350]

well, i'd assume it would be bad if you have negative oil pressure.

I guess that depends upon which side of the oil pump it is on! Glen

 

[pepecat]

my '89 with an mechanical temp guage reads around 180. themost I had it up to was 210 while towing a TT up the hill on I5 outta redding in 120 deg heat

the transmission temp went up to 180 or so and pyro was pegged at 1200 and I was going between 35 and 40 mph

 

[RSchwarzli]

I had this same problem in October. Never get the needle to get past the first line. I got a grill cover. Nothin. I got a new thermostat and wow, in 10 minutes now I am to operating temp.



After the 10 minutes I am at 170* and 48 psi at 2200rpm on the oil. Operating for more than 30 min puts me at 180*, 25-30 psi @ 2200.