Normal Operating Temp

[CapitalTruck]

My 2004 4.8 is running at about 195 on the highway. Is this normal? The midrange on the temp gage is 210. Where does yours normally run? (According to the who knows how accurate dash gauge).

[Elwood 2000]

My 5.3 runs at 195-200. I would say your 4.8 is OK.

[C & A s Dad]

Your truck should have a 160 mark, 2 small marks, a un-numbered larger mark, 2 more smaller marks and then a 210 mark. Mine, and others I know run between the 2 smaller marks that are between the un-numbered larger mark and the 210 mark. From what I have heard, this means you are running between 195 and 200 which is perfectly normal for these trucks.

[freakyt]

Sounds like where mine is at, 190 or so

[MS3DALE]

190-195 here.

[BRZ71]

Mine has always run at 210, and below, never any higher.

[toneman]

My coolant gauge temp shows the needle less than one small tick to the left of 210...this for a 6-liter DXL. Assuming the temps should be the same even for a 4.8L...then yeah, what you're getting is "normal".

[CapitalTruck]

I was worried that mine was running too cold, sounds like its doing just fine. By the way, if anybody needs to replace the thermostat on a 4.8, 5.3, 6.0, be advised: Water pump outlet coupler and thermostat are one unit. The whole unit is supposed to be replaced (water pump outlet and thermostat). If you get just a standard thermostat for one of these engines you've been shorted. You need to get the whole outlet assembly.

[az'03Silverado]

I put some Royal Purple, Purple Ice in my cooling system and sometimes when I'm on the freeway or cruising it will drop as low as 180 when the thermostat opens. But normally it runs about 195. Which makes sense because it has a 195* thermostat.