water temperature gauge

[Daniel John]

I would like to install a aftermarket water temperature gauge. My stock gauge fluctuates a lot under normal driving conditions and I curious what is actually happening. So far all the gauge I've looked at go up to about 280 degrees, which makes is hard to read at the 180 mark. I'd like to find something that only goes up to about 220 or 240. Any recommendations would really be appreciated. By the way, what is max temperature our trucks can run before damage would start to occur?

 

[RGT]

your gage is probably just doing it's job, I understand that a new cummins thermostat will cut down on the thermal cycling. I may try one soon.....

 

["Mad Max"]

well everybody has their favorites, and mine are Autometers. My water temp gauge is a Z-series 2 1/16", number2607. It has a range of 120-240. Check out Autometer's website and surf on the Z-series gauges. All of them are good, and there are many versions - it's more up to personal preferance.

- Sam

 

[Greenleaf]

I'll tell you what I'd be doing now... ... ...

Remove thermostat, thorough flushing of the cooling system. I mean clean it up really well. Look into top of rad to locate lime/gunky/scale build up. Clean again If you must. Install new thermo. AND temp sender. Inspect/clean radiator/condenser fins too. Your on your way for another 100K



Scott



Sorry,I forgot... Is your fan working as it should?????????????

 

[tugboatphil]

Dan,



If it is fluctuating wildly, is it also bumping slightly when you activate anything alse electrical? That happened to me last winter and the wires coming off the sensor were grounding. Taped them up and it's back to normal.

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

I have the latest Cummins thermostat and it does not work any better than the others. I installed an Autometer electric water temp gauge right at the thermostat housing. It fluctuates but not nearly as much as the factory gauge. Keep in mind that I am running a Horton fan which rarely comes on in summer and never in winter. I feel that this is one of the reasons I see the fluctuations I do. I also follow Cummins recommendation for a cooling system flush every 24,000 miles.



I have installed a back flushing "tee" in one of heater lines and use moderate hot water pressure to back flush. I remove the lower radiator hose and flush the block and the radiator then install a 50/50 mix of Zerex and distilled water. I also replace the radiator cap with a Dodge cap. After testing literally 100's of caps Chrysler's radiator sub contractor makes the best that I have seen - worth the extra $$$.



Before anyone goes into the hazards of using distilled water I am aware of these hazards and choose to continue with it.



Bob

 

[CDegner]

Hazards of distilled water? What are they? I have been using it exclusively in my vehicles for the last 400K miles. Not putting in all the extra minerals makes sense to me.



Carl

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Carl

There are those that believe (supported by testing and reports) distilled water leaches out minerals from the inside of your engine to replace whats not in the water. I agree that water is the most universal solvent know but I feel that the addition of anti freeze negates any detrimental effects caused by the distilled water. If you change your coolant regularly you also maintain a strong additive package thus keeping the CTD world in balance.



Bob

 

[Paychk]

Originally posted by Bob Beauchaine

There are those that believe (supported by testing and reports) distilled water leaches out minerals from the inside of your engine to replace whats not in the water.

I've heard of a lot of things when it comes to the "B" Cummins and coolant, but never this. Where would I find this info?

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Alan try the search feature using "distilled water". I went looking and there are about 144 posts but it should be there.



Bob

 

[Paychk]

Bob



Sorry I'm brain fogged from working a 12 today, Thanks