temp issues.... again.

[1979C20]

Well, I put a new temp gauge in my truck last night because it stopped working again(I HATE iEQUUS.) Its been broken for a bout 2 and a half or 3 weeks. Before it broke, the temp was reading normal, around 180. Now, The gauge reads 210 while idling, stopped, driving, accelerating, cruising. But sometimes when I slow down it swings down to like 180 then goes back up to 210. When I was passing someone i downshifted into 2nd (L-1-2-3) And accelerated past them and I watched the temp gauge hit 240. I about crapped. I'm hoping this is a gauge issue and that my truck hasnt been overheating for 3 weeks. I filled the radiator with water this morning before I left the house because last night i changed the temp gauge and didnt finish installing my stereo till 3. I'm pretty sure the thermostat wasnt open when I filled it. Maybe thats the issue? Time for a new rad? Could the temp gauge be faulty? I dont have a digital thermometer, so I cant necessarily check for accuracy. The overflow has nothing in it.

[Grim 82]

I suspect your thermostat is giving up the fight. I have had similiar issues where it wouldn't open up at all at idle, and climb to 220+, but as soon as you put some rpm's to the water pump the t-stat would open up and almost instantly drop the temp to 180.

[1979C20]

I gyess ill replace the tstat. For a while it was running.at like 160 all the time. And, even with rpms, it stays at 210. It bounces a bit but not much.

[1979C20]

Can I put a 160 tstat in? I believe thats what I have in there now. But, do I need to have my engine run warmer or will a 160 degree work? Being in Arizona I'd like to try and keep the temps lower.

[beastie_3]

Even in a hotter area like Az, trucks run a little better around 180. If its hard to keep it around 180-210, then there could be other cooling issues that a 160 stat could be hiding.

[1979C20]

well, my truck runs between 175 and 190 normally. its usually right on or right under 180.