Hello all,
This may only apply to fellow 150iddy owners in the north country. In the past 2 weeks, it has been cold here. Temps have been at 0F-5f every morning. I've noticed that my temperature guage, once the truck is warm, doesn't stay in the same place like it used to in the summer and fall months. It would usually rise and stay right on the middle line of the temp guage. Now it will rise to that point, stay there for awhile, then go down 2 needle widths, then head back up to the middle line again. I've noticed my gas mileage drop off like a rock to which leads me to believe the truck isn't staying warm enough. Have any of you seen this happen? It doesn't matter if I'm on the highway or in the city, acts the same way. I'm thinking I may need a cold front, but these newer vehicles shouldn't need that.
I've got a 04 Scab with the 5.4. It has the tow package if that makes any difference.

 

Don't feel bad, mine starts off on the left. Once I turn the truck on it moves into correct position. (That's Normal)

Now when I turn the truck off the needle moves down about 1/2" and when I turn it on it moves even higher. The last time I looked, when my truck is running, the needle is buried on the right side showning about 4 o'clock to give you an idea.

I suppose I will have to remove the cluster and fix.

 

I imagine it is hard to stay warm in that 0 degree air, you may have to partially block the air to the radiator, like the truckers do...


Just a thought.

 

I have not payed too much attention to my temp gauge (will now)....but now that the weather had dropped into the freezing temps...my gas milage has gone to ****-poor performance as well.....

 

I don't know about you guys but here they add addatives to the fuel (because of the temps) which gives us about 4mpg less than in the winter.

 

I'm still thinking of putting a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator to see if that makes a difference. I'll have to remember to remove it when the temps get above 20F, or when I'm towing my sled trailer though. I'm not talking about blocking the whole radiator, just 25% of it or so. I'll see if that makes a difference. Monday morning it was -2F on the temperature readout.

 

The problem with the needle moving is the associated with the thermostat opening and closing. As the vehicle warms up, the coolant is not curculating through the engine. When the operating temperature is reached, the t-stat will open up to circulate the coolant. Since the temps are so cold, the "super"-chilled coolant from the radiator enters the engine, hits the temperature gauge, and makes a noticable difference. Years ago, when casting metals were not the best, this could actually cause "temperature shock" damage to the engine over time (especially diesels). The tried and true method of fixing is to block off about 2/3's of your radiator's opening. This will also slightly up your mileage too. Anyway, cold weather is for chilling some , but good luck in the meantime.