Thermostat & Temp Gauge
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
Thermostat & Temp Gauge
On a 97 F150 V8 4.6L, at cold startup should I expect the temp to rise to above normal (per temp gauge reading) and then drop back to normal once the thermostat opens? Just got this truck and was expecting to see this occur once I dropped in new thermostat. Not happening, though. Thanks much.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 6
From: Puyallup, WA
Not with the stock gauges these trucks have..... They are a 'resistor' type of gauge (idiot light for the most part) that's designed to just sit at the "normal" spot and only move if the engine is already overheating.....
I've got an aftermarket water temp gauge and when it's at 150*, the stock gauge is at it's "normal" position. I've had my other gauge up to 210* and the stock one is sitting at the same spot.
About the T stat opening and seeing the temp change?? Well, on mine, the temp will move to just under the 180* mark at a pretty steady rate (T stat closed for the most part) when cold. Then it will sit there for a short time (T stat is opening slowly allowing the cold rad water into the engine) and then it'll move to it's operating position of just above 180* for the most part. The T stat should be a 195* unit and that just means when the water is 195*, it'll be fully open. Mine probalby maintains an overall average of 190* and I only see it at 195* or above when the truck is "working hard".....
Good luck!
Mitch
I've got an aftermarket water temp gauge and when it's at 150*, the stock gauge is at it's "normal" position. I've had my other gauge up to 210* and the stock one is sitting at the same spot.
About the T stat opening and seeing the temp change?? Well, on mine, the temp will move to just under the 180* mark at a pretty steady rate (T stat closed for the most part) when cold. Then it will sit there for a short time (T stat is opening slowly allowing the cold rad water into the engine) and then it'll move to it's operating position of just above 180* for the most part. The T stat should be a 195* unit and that just means when the water is 195*, it'll be fully open. Mine probalby maintains an overall average of 190* and I only see it at 195* or above when the truck is "working hard".....
Good luck!
Mitch
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
jbarker,
For what it's worth! The oil pressure guage is like what Mitch said also, it's a " I'm happy" at about 10 psi and gives you a normal reading. My real after market guage changes from 35 psi hot idle to 75 psi cold, and the Ford guage never changes from normal.
Gene
For what it's worth! The oil pressure guage is like what Mitch said also, it's a " I'm happy" at about 10 psi and gives you a normal reading. My real after market guage changes from 35 psi hot idle to 75 psi cold, and the Ford guage never changes from normal.
Gene