3.0 temp probs...newbie

[jodom15sc]

well let me first say, ive been around TRS for awhile and reading forums, just havent got around to posting anything. But this website is awsome!!

Well my problem right now is the engine temp. on my dashboard. After the truck is warmed up the needle sits half 1/2 way between hot and cold, dead in between and never higher or lower. But now it will go all the way to hot as if my engine is going to lock up or blow up, idk. Typically ill be driving and just going the speed limit and it will go to hot, im not hotroding my truck either. Once it goes to hot ill let up off the gas and the needle will either fall or stick there. Ive even come to dead stop and it sat on hot but sometimes when i hit the gas the temp needle will fall back down to half way where it should be. Ive tried to make it happen on purpose to see what it could be and i cant make it happen, even if i hotrod the hell out of my truck.

Ive checked my radiator for crack/leaks and nothing, and 3 days after the temperature needle problem, my check engine light came on...I went and had it read, it was a O2 downstream sensor, I changed it and engine light went off and temp. needle stopped. But now its back...any ideas on what to do?? i have a haynes repair book so i can do the basics

oh and this is my truck...99 2wd ranger 3.0, bone stock, just K&N filter, flowmaster 40s, general grabber AT2, 2 12"s

 

[Gotta_gofast]

I would first check to see if your thermostat is sticking shut. If this is not the case, a coolant system flush would be next on the list.

 

[dennis461]

I would first check to see if your thermostat is sticking shut. If this is not the case, a coolant system flush would be next on the list.

Another thought on this.
It sounds like you are NOT seeing any other indication of overheating, right?
No water bubbling up, no engine noises?

Get the turkey thermometer out of the kitchen drawer and tape it to the top of the radiator.

Drive the truck till it's temperature is normal on the dashbard and check the turkey thermometer, write down the number ( you'll forget it after the New Years Party)

The next time the temperature is HIGH on the dashboard, recheck the turkey thermometer.

I'm guessing it is the temperature gauge in the dashboard that's fowling up. (Pun intended).

Can you borrow a scan tool from someone?
Good ones can tell you the temperature to compare to the dashboard. If the gauge is broken, they will show a difference.
If the sending unit is broken, they will both read HIGH, but the turkey thermometer will show normal.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

[4x4fun]

x2 if it was over heating you would know. theres a sensor or sending unit or wire/short. going on not a cooling issue

 

[jodom15sc]

yep, i have no awkward or new sounds coming from the engine. To me it still runs like a top. Other then going off road once in a while i treat my truck like a baby.

ive looked in my haynes book and im trying to figure out what kind of sensor or wire it could be...that was my initial thought. But im gonna try that turkey idea, i got a 30 min drive to new years eve party, so i got a good chance to check it out

Happy new years ppl and fellow Tennesseans

 

[dru]

oh and this is my truck...99 2wd ranger 3.0, bone stock, just K&N filter, flowmaster 40s, general grabber AT2, 2 12"s

[/QUOTE]



bone stock

 

[fordboi415]

I'll put money on it that its your thermostat sticking closed and then openening, go the the auto parts store and tell them you want a FAIL SAFE thermostat and a gasket, the fail safe thermostat will stick open when it goes bad instead of sticking closed causing you to over heat

 

[jodom15sc]

thats what im planning on doing soon as i get over this new years eve hangover, me and a buddy gonna change out the thermostat

and yes bone stock...atleast to me it is, havent u heard the expression?

 

[WNY964x4]

Well Bone Stock is not a common term on this site , and technically yours is not bone stock , as bone stock would not have a k&n filter , general grabbers , flowmaster 40's , 2 12's , ventvisors , glare protector on the back of the cab , the browning sticker , the tool box , or the aftermarket tail lights , bone stock would be as it came from the factory

 

[jodom15sc]

well im new around here, haha i guess i look at it differently, but yea i see what ur sayin,

just like a glass i guess, Is it half empty or half full?

 

[WNY964x4]

yea , it is an honest mistake , when i first joined , i called my old truck bone stock , and quickly was told it wasnt because i had a tool box , hitch , moonvisor , hoodscoops , and an aftermarket grille

no truck ever stays bone stock , it is in our nature to personalize our vehicles as soon as we get them , we wish to make ourselves stand out in the crowd , no one wants to look normal , my mom does not understand why i cannot leave my truck plain , i owned it for all of one week i think , and i changed the exhaust , i didnt even own it yet and i swapped the sliding rear window out of my 96 for the solid rear in my 00 , it is just in our nature to mod

so , in light of that speech , fix 'er up , have fun , and mod on

 

[jodom15sc]

changed the thermostat today, pretty easy, only problem was the dam radiator hose clamp that connected to the housing...used channel locks to get it off but god dang

the temperature in the truck is actually running a smidge lower

but thanks for the tips