Does the heat work in the vehicle? If not, and I don't know if you've got this fixed already, but it sounds like air is in your coolant system. I would quadruple check that air is bled from the coolant system before any other fixes. If nothing else, it is the lowest cost (free) and time involved of all the repairs.

 

You didnt even let it get to 195? Where is your gauge at?

It should sit right in the middle.

Park the truck on a hill, let it run, fill the overflow bottle and crack the bleeder. When the temp starts climbing turn on the heat and see if the temp drops.

You need a obd2 reader or something that reads your trucks temp. Just because you installed a 180 temp doesnt mean its working right out of the box. The truck has to cycle due to the hose layout.

 

Just curious for y'all out there, do you crack the bleeder while it's running?

 

I bleed it with engine off, then engine on. After just a short time with engine on, you're going to overheat if it's not bled right.

 

I only crack the bleeder when it is stone cold.

 

This!!! Open when cold, fill with coolant until it’s full, run up to temp, and repeat until it’s full when you open it cold.

 

So what do you do when it overflows at cold, but you still have waterfall noises?

 

Bleed it again in the morning

 

Park it on a hill. Front up. Fill the jug and let it run. Watch your temps. Let the cap off and open the bleeder. All the air will find it's way to the bleeder hole. I fill the jug until it comes out the hole.

It's simple and it works instantly.

 

Heater core probably needs a flush