coolant temp range

[finnd]

what temp range should i see in a stock 1999 k2500 7.4l suburban? How much will this range be effected by outside temps? I know my truck isn't stock, but I figure getting an idea of how the stock thermo works will help in knowing if i currently have an issue.

 

such that, will a stock truck in 30 degree weather still warm up to the temp of the thermostat, or hang a few dozen degrees lower?

 

thanks,

[GM-Tech]

The stock thermostat for your vehicle is 195 degrees. It begins to open around 188 and should be fully open by 203 degrees.

 

Assuming you have that thermostat and it's not stuck open, even at thirty degrees, your engine should easily reach right around 195. Definitely not several dozen degrees lower.

[finnd]

Assuming you have that thermostat and it's not stuck open, even at thirty degrees, your engine should easily reach right around 195.  Definitely not several dozen degrees lower.

 

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Thanks for the quick reply. I actually have a 160degree in there now, but have been noticing in the winter months that I am running at about 120-130 degrees in the 30 degree weather. Sounds like i overdid it with the water wetter. :-O

 

thanks again,

[GM-Tech]

Doesn't matter what kind of coolant or additive you have in it.

 

Look at it this way. The engine generates heat by the combustion process. This is absorbed by the coolant. If the coolant can't circulate through the radiator (closed thermostat), it HAS to heat up. It has nowhere to go to shed that heat until the thermostat opens at 160 (or therabouts) so it should get at least that warm. An engine can't run without generating heat.

 

Now, if it was really frigid outside, the air passing through the heater core to warm you up will transfer a little heat away. At 30 degrees ambient, I doubt that is enough to make a big impact on engine coolant temperature.

 

Bottom line, if it's only getting to 120, I'd say either you have a poorly calibrated thermostat or it's stuck slightly open.

[finnd]

Bottom line, if it's only getting to 120, I'd say either you have a poorly calibrated thermostat or it's stuck slightly open.

 

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Thanks again for helping out. I'm relatively new to all this so my logic is faulty a lot of times. :-) I was planning on draining some fluid and checking the thermostat at that time. Is putting it in a pot of water on the stove and then warming it up a decent way to tell if it opens or not?

 

thanks,

 

dan

[GM-Tech]

Is putting it in a pot of water on the stove and then warming it up a decent way to tell if it opens or not?

 

That's the only way to test it. Make sure you suspend the thermostat so it's not sitting on the bottom of the pan and obviously put a thermometer in there so you know at what temp it starts to open.