put 2 new thermostate in my 1997 F-250, changed the clutch fan and still can't get the temp gauge to get to normal. heat gets warm, but not like it use to when it went to normal.............any help?????

 

What temperature stats did you install. I replaced mine last month when I did a water pump. Guy at the counter handed me a stat for my truck. I didn't check it until I was ready to install it. 180 degrees. I just walked out and dug the old stat out of the scrap pile. 195 degrees. The 180 won't heat my truck up either. So it's back for a new 195, and an *** kick to myself for trusting anyone else.

 

195 is stock for a GM vehicle, but the auto guys will try to sell you either a 180 or a 160 under the ruse that your engine will run a lot more smoothly. bull. The lower temperatures won't allow your engine to get up to proper operating temperature and in my opinion can damage your seals and impede the heat lubrication of your cylinders among other things. After market parts are great, but on an older engine, this is one I believe should stay stock.

 

Agreed GMC. I've also noticed a drop in my already terrible fuel economy that I suspect may be related to the lower temperature, though I don't know that to be a fact. The bottom dropped out of the thermometer here immediately after I made the change. Once I get the 195 back in I hope the mileage improves.

Take care folks,
Marty

 

Well that makes sense, I would attribute it to the lower temperatures increasing the friction and causing your engine to work marginally harder

 

I put whatever it called for 190 .........but I just can't get the temp up to normal, it only goes 1/4 the way up and it the heat doesn't get as hot

 

Dan: I just did a little online shopping and I was not able to find a 190 dergree stat. I found 160, 180, & 195. I ordered a 195 to replace the 180 that only brings my gauge up to about 1/4 of the way. It used to run at about 1/2 with the 195 stat. And it used to have plenty of heat I'm hoping it will get back there with the new 195. You might want to take a look at the 2 stats you have pulled. Temp is stamped on the pellet in the center of the stat. Thermostats, like everything else today, are also manufactured saving every cent possible. It is not unusual for a new one to be trash. If you bought 2 of them from the same store, they may be a common batch of bad stats. Just could be. Can't say they are.

GMC: My reasoning on the gas mileage was based on the computer more than the friction. Throttle bodies don't have chokes, so the computer enriches the mixture when it is running cold. But I am just a back yard type of mechanic. I don't know the mixture curve. It might already be done leaning out by 180. I'm not sure

Good day folks,
Marty

 

It is a 195 now that i look at it. I bought 2 from napa and one right from the ford dealer, and I still can't get the temp to go up. It use to work just fine, it would go up to half way and the heat was hot. Now its just warm, I just don't understand. Maybe I'll change the water pump, but everbody I ask said thats not it. i even asked the ford dealer......then didn't really have an answer

 

Hmm. Is it possible you just have a faulty guage? My 92 always read that it was running at 120, but I stuck a thermometer into the radiator after it warmed up and sure enough, it was running up to temperature.

Sorry, I really don't have much else to offer on this one. I'm about as confused as can be especially since the heater issue wouldn't fit with the scenario I just listed.

Good Luck!

 

I even changes the temp sensor, even though I didn't think it wa the problem. It does the same thing, only goes about 1/4 the way up. One other guy said it might be a head gasket, but it doesn't use any anti freeze