Ok.. so i replaced the waterpump, and resealed the front cover and installed a 180* stat. I have an ultraguage to monitor things.. it consistently stays around 195. Might get to 202 climbing a hill. I don't tow. Is this normal or am I missing something? I do have a couple leaks that need tending to. Just haven't had time.

 

Thats lower than mine so I'm guessing your good. I run around 195-210 depending on the outside temp hwy and city driving.

 

Ok. I figured as much. You have the 189 stat I assume? I haven't seen anything above 204 yet..

 

I'm running a stock 190 stat and it never goes over 200. I've noticed that any leaks will cause higher temps along with a clogged radiator.

Also my idle temp is 180-190. If I'm sitting it'll spike to 195 if its hot out.

 

My new to me 2004 bounces between 190 and 217.4F according to the multi-gauge driving around all day in 50F temps. I haven't done anything to the cooling system since I bought it 2weeks ago save top it off and watch the level to see if there is a leak. Every once in awhile I get a whiff of coolant after parking it but the level in the overflow tank has been steady so I keep thinking its spillage somewhere from the PO. It will be interesting to see what happens when I change the coolant. That should be soon.

I wonder what a bottle of water wetter might do to it now. Might be an interesting $10 experiment.

 

I'm thinking the same about the water wetter. Better check on that coolant smell. I have it and it's leaking from the back of the engine. NOT SURE If It Is THE Valley Pan Or headgasket. Both are common on these. I lose about 2-3 cups of coolant a week. But I know it's leaking externally.. no milkyness.. no funny exhaust smells.

 

I think it's not quite right for the system to be sitting at 195 with a 180 thermo.

I did the inline mod, so my results may be a bit different. But mine stays at 180 until ambient temp hits the 90s, and then it starts to creep up to the low 190s.

Since it's winter and you are at 195, I would think something is wrong. The next steps are checking the fan clutch and radiator. The clutch should be tight when warmed up (if memory serves, spin it by hand, it should spin less than one rotation), and you check the radiator with a laser thermometer for temp variances.

That said, it isn't overheating, so you could just watch it. I'm just pretty paranoid about the cooling system in these trucks...

And the coolant smell is not good news. Any spillage burns off immediately, so it's still leaking. Could be a few things, and maybe you're lucky and it's not a head gasket. Maybe.

 

I thought the same. This is why I ask. The fan clutch is new.. changed it with the water pump. I cannot say the radiator is original. It looks newer, how newer who the he'll knows. I will have to figure out how to check it.

I too am paranoid about the temps.. I watch the UG like like a hawk..

 

I have the genuine 180 tstat. I was running in the 195-210 range and higher with a clogged radiator and the new tstat. After fixing all my leaks and replacing the overflow cap I replaced the radiator (someone had added stop leaks and the lower end was clogged). I now run about 188 on the move (above 20 mph) and the highest I have seen is 203 at a light in the summer heat. Running green coolant.

 

Well the Water Wetter did nada. High temp of 221 on the commute in. Mostly when staying hot it was 217.4 with blips to 221. So this may have been my hi temp the other day, too. I guess that's a data point for the snake oil side of the fence.

It's odd, too. The temp tends to stay high cruising about 50mph but when cruising at 35mph it drops down to < 210F

I'm pretty paranoid about the cooling system and watch the UG like a hawk, too! I bought the truck assuming I would need to do the head gaskets. But I also think I have an external leak as I have no funny smells in the exhaust and the oil on the dipstick looks good. I'm changing the oil soon so we'll see for sure. I haven't pulled the plugs to see if any of my pistons sparkle.

Anyway it's obvious that I need to do something...