hey v6 owners... where is your temp gauge during summer?

[fisherbear]

I have 1994 3.0 mazda b3000... temp is usually 30% now it's 50-70%...it's still in normal range but a little warm for comfort... I live in Houston and I know it's hot... I'm a teacher and need a dependable ride... how concerned should I be?

btw... I bought a new thermostat to change out but one of the bolts is rounded off and won't come out for anything... I don't want to snap the top off and cause bigger problem a week before I go back to school but I also don't want overheated truck... thanks, Johnny

 

[wildbill23c]

Mine usually sits right around 195 degrees even in the summer. it creeps up to about 200 on heavy acceleration but cools right back down. So overall it goes from about 190-200 max. This is with my 1984 Ford Bronco 2 2.8L V6.

 

[fisherbear]

wildbill what % is that one the gauge?

 

[tmcalavy]

If you see evidence that the thermostat is opening and closing...gauge moves as the engine warms up, the stat is probably good. Those bolts are real bad about snapping off...did that on mine and had to have it towed to the mech, drilled out and a helicoil put in. Next Sat. morning you get free, pull the rad hoses, drain and replace the coolant...flush it out real good with garden hose before you refill and give it time to drain the flush water out, park the front wheels on a grade or put them on the curb to keep the nose and rad higher than the back of the engine. Never gotten an air pocket to burp out by doing it this way. Save the thermostat job for this fall...when it's cool enough to ride your bike on 610 or the Sam Houston loop if you snap a bolt off doing it. Happy motoring...get a good whiff of the ship channel for me next time you pass by it.

 

[fisherbear]

I am on the west side of H-town... haven't been by 610 or the smelly side of town aka Pasa-get-down-dena in years... the gauge does go up and down but it's still a little high for comfort... I guess I'll deal with it...

my bolt is too rounded off to give me a chance to break it off... I can see the stat by taking the upper rad hose off... is there a way to drill holes in it in a worst case scenario so there is always some flow and no ruined engine from over heat?

I did just change the coolant.

 

[jpsaxnc]

I would check the radiator fins for debris, and the fan clutch.

 

[drsvox]

I would check the radiator fins for debris, and the fan clutch.

good point about the fan clutch...a failed clutch could be your problem, and it's a relatively easy fix.

 

[sblake01]

X2 on checking the fan clutch. I live in San Bernardino, Ca. where it's been high 90s-low 100s for quite a while. My gauge never goes beyond about 35%. I don't understand how knowing where other peoples gauges are at when you say that the 30% yours used to be at has changed to 50-70%. Regardless of where our gauges are, you know you have a problem.......

 

[fisherbear]

good idea about the fan clutch... I'm going to check it tomorrow a.m. it is an easy fix... I changed it before maybe 5 years ago... AutoZone has 2 different ones a regular one and a super cool version for $30 more... besides price, what is the difference in the 2? thanks, Johnny

 

[drsvox]

once the clutch engages, the normal one probably runs at 75% camshaft speed, and the "super cool" at 80% - 85% (or something similar to those numbers). Factors such as light vs. medium/heavy duty, A/C, etc. stack and would be reason for getting a light vs. medium/heavy duty fan clutch.

 

[adsm08]

Mine is in the tach, just like it is in the winter.

 

[drsvox]

Mine is in the tach, just like it is in the winter.

took me a minute...but no more than that

 

[fisherbear]

where is the needle for the temp gauge smart ankle...

 

[adsm08]

Mine reads low all year round, I think the cluster and the sender operate in different resistance ranges.

As long as you are not getting out of the normal range you should not have a problem. If you are really that worried go to a lower thermostat. Especially if you never see truly cold weather in your area.

 

[black_demon69]

I have 1994 3.0 mazda b3000... temp is usually 30% now it's 50-70%...it's still in normal range but a little warm for comfort... I live in Houston and I know it's hot... I'm a teacher and need a dependable ride... how concerned should I be?

btw... I bought a new thermostat to change out but one of the bolts is rounded off and won't come out for anything... I don't want to snap the top off and cause bigger problem a week before I go back to school but I also don't want overheated truck... thanks, Johnny

my temp gauge is on summer vacation

seriously mine sits about the middle here in Arizona. my truck is 4.0l