Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) What's the avg. running temp?

[DMendoza]

I'm just curious to know, whats the average running engine temperature on the dash guage? I live in southeast texas. Right now, I run about 190 or just a bit above. I don't think that's normal. If I stop somewhere and let it run with the a/c on for about 10 minutes, I get back in and the a/c is warm. I don't know if the fan is'nt pulling enough air or what. Coolant is fine, and I've pressure washed and steam cleaned the radiator front and back. Thanks.

 

[obert]

What is ambient for that condition? That sounds about normal for here in late summer ~95 to 100*. Try the AC on MAX whic is recirculate. that works better for me. Ordinarily I dont see over 190 temp unless loaded, but some hot days, hard drivin and a/c on overtime have seen warmer coolant temps.





Where is angleton? You might well be in our central ohio august already.

 

[CPavlic]

Lufkin Texas is about where Im originally from and 190 is about normal running temp for me and I got 75000 miles and have never overheated.

 

[RustyJC]

1 needle width below 190 when running empty - 1 needle width above 190 when towing the 5th wheel (see signature). We're located just NW of Houston.



Rusty

 

[Bruce Banister]

Ditto what RustyJC posted - I'm located in Austin.



Bruce Banister

 

[RAMICATOR]

a neddel width below 190 usualy, sometimes goes right on or a tad above for a shot tim and then back down. as for the A/C, with the R-134a coolant in the compressor it works better when you are moving. now with the old R-12, i think thats what it was, you can sit in traffic idling on a 95* day in it will blow cold air constantly, that stuff is great

 

[340Mark]

Thermostat

Along the same vein, does anyone see allot of thermostat failures? My truck seems to run colder than it should.

 

[DMendoza]

Angleton is an hour south of houston. I bought a t-stat and am going to flush the cooling system this sat. I probably have something wrong with my a/c, because it should'nt get warm like that. During hurricane rita, when we were in that bad traffic, it would heat up, the temp would go up to about 215 or 220. I had to shift into neutral and rev up so the fan would cool the motor.

 

[Rman]

A/C doesn't work to well without moving air to help the thermal expansion, the refrigerant doesn't cool as well. I run a 180 degree thermostat and has made hauling much better on large inclines during hot weather.



R-134a systems do work just as well, if not better than R-12 systems. The trick was back when they converted, they simply switched the fluids on the old A/C systems. R-134a doesn't have as good of heat transfer, thus requires a larger system. The new systems accomodated this and work very well. Old systems "retrofitted" for R-134a do not work very well and gave the new refrigerant a bad name.



The principle of air conditioning is rather simple, and is really amazing if you ask me.



Radiators also get very dirty, especially if you still have the infamous "breather bottle". I hacked mine off long ago. Keep the fins on the raditor in good shape and repairing a damaged fan shroud can even help at idle. A lot of factors play into a warmer than normal engine. Even too much anitfreeze is bad, it loses the cooling effect of water (water has a higher thermal coefficient). Go over your system carefully, it's probably a combination of things.

 

[Rman]

Along the same vein, does anyone see allot of thermostat failures? My truck seems to run colder than it should.

I replace mine every two years when I change my coolant. Regardless of miles. I've never had one go bad, I'm changing my coolant next month for the second time.

 

[obert]

1 needle width below 190 when running empty - 1 needle width above 190 when towing the 5th wheel (see signature). We're located just NW of Houston.



Rusty

simply put. Thats exactly what I see. Only just NW of Columbus. (Not indianna)

 

[DMendoza]

I'll check all that as well, thanks.

 

[RustyJC]

During hurricane rita, when we were in that bad traffic, it would heat up, the temp would go up to about 215 or 220. I had to shift into neutral and rev up so the fan would cool the motor.

That doesn't sound right. Not that I make a habit of it, but my truck would idle all day in Houston summertime heat with the A/C going full blast and the coolant temp will get too low. It will drop well below 190 = about 1/2 way between the mark at the left end of the operating band and the 190 degF mark.



Are you sure your fan clutch is working or that your radiator or intercooler fins aren't fouled? Between the overheating and the poor A/C performance, it sounds like you don't have sufficient airflow through the radiator and condensor.



Rusty

 

[dcoffman]

Dito Rusty, Mine will idle all day and the a/c works great. I used to do LTL with this truck and sleep in it at truck stops and the engine temp would stay about 160-170 and a/c would feel really nice on those hot days. I know they say don't idle for long periods,but so far so good.

 

[GEdwards]

My 01. 5 runs about 180(a little below 190) and its at 180 on my Juice.



Will go up to 190 on hard pulls.

 

[DMendoza]

Is there a way to test the fan clutch? I hear it, and it sounds like its pulling air. I've straightened a few of the fins on the condensor. I'm going to pull the radiator out and steam clean it on sat.