What does your temp gauge usually run?

What's up guys? Just got back into a "new to me" ram. It's a 1997 1500 sport with a 318. The truck is very clean and has been extremely well maintained and overall I'm very happy with it. I do have one question for everyone.. Where does your coolant temp gauge generally run? I had noticed that mine will run around 205-210, but will even get up to around 220 and come back down. I put a new mopar t-stat and coolant temp sensor in it today and I'm seeing essentially the same thing. I'm just curious as to what everyone else is seeing in there trucks. I'm a mechanic myself and this just seemed a little higher than I was used to in the 2013 ram 4.7L that I previously owned. Any input will be appreciated. Thanks again!

Here in iowa winter i haven't seen mine reach even 180 yet. Even in summer ive only seen it hit 205 a few times in 100 degree heat. But i run a 180 tstat too

180. 180 stat.

I believe I'm running the 195 degree thermostat.. Kinda wish I'd gone with a 180 now..

I'm running the 195 stat and mine never gets that high

I'm gonna give my fan clutch a look in the morning and see if it's getting weak. It's not like it's overheating but it's def a tad abnormal

180 tstat, usually run under 200 degrees during the cooler weather, was able to find a 8 blade fan that really beats the Texas heat.

Highest truck ever got was 215, stock clutch fan, middle of the Texas summer, middle of the day, running the AC, sitting in highway traffic. 220 seems high, I'd look at a good fan and new clutch.

I believe this is the fan 2003 Dodge Ram Truck Radiator Cooling Fan Blade

With a stock clutch bolted on.

This has nothing to do with the t-stat. My truck ran like crap with a colder t-stat which kept my temp around 175 F, like it wanted to warm itself up more. Put in the stock 195 and now it runs perfectly. Changing the t-stat to a colder one would only be a band-aid over the underlying problem here.

Sounds like you might have air in the system, and a coolant flush may be a good idea if you haven't done one already. Parking the truck uphill so that the radiator cap is higher than the rest of the cooling system helps burp it.

OP that does seem a bit high. Have you checked the fan clutch? One of my little RT's would roll up past 210 sitting in Florida traffic and it was the clutch fan going out. You know how to check it I'm sure. Agree with Sport too- she may need a burp.

205+ is NOT normal.

More info is needed to properly diagnose further.

Does it creep up to 220 when sitting at idle, or does it do it as well while the truck is moving?
Do you have decent heat coming out of the vents inside the truck?
What's the temp like where you're located?
Did you perform a coolant flush at all when doing the thermostat, or just a top off?
If you flushed it, did you use 50/50 mixed or concentrate coolant?
If concentrate, how many gallons were put in the radiator?

If you have poor heat output inside, then there's several things to consider.

1) Clog somewhere. If something is blocking the coolant from circulating, obviously it will run hotter.

2) Water pump. The internals of these water pumps are made of plastic. Eventually they'll wear down, and although still function properly, won't be able to circulate the coolant as quickly as a new water pump can. Many people go through the headache or replacing a heater core inside before replacing the water pump, then cuss up a major storm when that doesn't solve the problem. Ask me how I know.

3) As stated, air in the system, or low coolant.

If you have proper heat inside the cab:

1) As stated, fan clutch.

2) Faulty gauge or wiring is a possibility, although a little unlikely.

There's more possibilities, but again, it's not normal to run that high. Get it checked out and fixed before you warp/crack a head on these already prone engines.

SmokeycoonhoundUT said:

What's up guys? Just got back into a "new to me" ram. It's a 1997 1500 sport with a 318. The truck is very clean and has been extremely well maintained and overall I'm very happy with it. I do have one question for everyone.. Where does your coolant temp gauge generally run? I had noticed that mine will run around 205-210, but will even get up to around 220 and come back down. I put a new mopar t-stat and coolant temp sensor in it today and I'm seeing essentially the same thing. I'm just curious as to what everyone else is seeing in there trucks. I'm a mechanic myself and this just seemed a little higher than I was used to in the 2013 ram 4.7L that I previously owned. Any input will be appreciated. Thanks again!

Click to expand...

Mine does the same exact thing as yours. According to my scan gauge while the dial says 205, scan gauge says its at 184.


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Here's where my temp guage sits with a 180 stat. I put in a new radiator about 10 years ago after truck would reach almost 240 when towing my trailer in the heat of summer with temps 110+. Now it rarely reaches 200 when towing in the same heat.
Never had a problem of it running too cold.http://www.ramforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=64611&stc=1&d=1453657485

Mine runs same as above. Not sure what t stat I have though

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Mine runs the same as above photo new t stat [195] new radiator,new fan clutch,new hoses,new water inlet,heater core. 01 5.9 [360 gas] auto. Before i changed those thing it never went past the half way mark.