temp sensor

[1979C20]

Okay, so I was driving today and I look down at my temp gauge and it says 160ish. Its normally at 180. When I stopped, it was down no like 140, and when I started my truck up again a few hours later, my gauge won't move from zero. What would this be? Low on water? Hose kinked? Bad sensor/gauge?

[TexasRed]

Sending units go bad from time to time. I'd check your cool-ant level and then possibly change the sending unit.

[1979C20]

I just bought the gauge/sensor set up in june or july. My dad said if the coolant level was low it would show super high temps, not zero. And the radiator is about half full when hot. And, I done think I can replace just the sending unit, sadly. ):

[topp]

I just bought the gauge/sensor set up in june or july. My dad said if the coolant level was low it would show super high temps, not zero. And the radiator is about half full when hot. And, I done think I can replace just the sending unit, sadly. ):

1/2 full radiator???

It should be COMPLETELY full....

[1979C20]

Yeah.... About that, When I put my headers on and pulled my temp sensor out, it leaked a crap ton of fluid and I never fully refilled it. And I'll get around to it soon. It runs at 180degrees.

[Irish_Alley]

air will be colder than water

[jaredts]

Yeah.... About that, When I put my headers on and pulled my temp sensor out, it leaked a crap ton of fluid and I never fully refilled it. And I'll get around to it soon. It runs at 180degrees.

Are you looking forward to changing head gaskets?  Add coolant--its probably the cause of your gage problem and its just not a good move to run it partially empty like that.