Still learing the 5th gen. Please help.

[Fed372]

First really cold day driving. Seeing these numbers on the dash at idle. Not mucn higher under driving speeds. Have more heat than we can stand but they seem low. Like maybe somethings wrong. Normal numbers in warm weather.

Thanks

 

[SD Rebel]

How long were you driving at this point? The oil pressure seems a bit high for a hot idle, but I guess that depends on how cold it is.

Your trans temp is going to be low on cold days without constant driving, the oil temp and coolant does seem on the low side as well, but if it's less than 5-10 miles at this point on a cold day, seems reasonable.

 

[Fed372]

How long were you driving at this point? The oil pressure seems a bit high for a hot idle, but I guess that depends on how cold it is.

Your trans temp is going to be low on cold days without constant driving, the oil temp and coolant does seem on the low side as well, but if it's less than 5-10 miles at this point on a cold day, seems reasonable.

Been running for an hour. Driving percale normal. 19 degrees out.

 

[KingChu]

Seems normal given the ambient temperature. You really won’t see above 175 transmission temp in that cold. Oil temp and pressure are good. Coolant temp is in the low normal range but once again given ambient temperature somewhere in the 180s and 190s is probably normal.

 

[HSKR R/T]

Been running for an hour. Driving percale normal. 19 degrees out.

Probably a stuck open thermostat. Should be running 200-205 degrees after that long of running. Especially sitting at idle. But even if thermostat is stuck open, sitting at idle for more than 10-15 minutes should bring temps up.

 

[KingChu]

Probably a stuck open thermostat. Should be running 200-205 degrees after that long of running. Especially sitting at idle. But even if thermostat is stuck open, sitting at idle for more than 10-15 minutes should bring temps up.

Here’s a quick test to test the thermostat. Drive it around with that screen up.. does coolant temp drop down into the 150s or lower? Or does it stay near 180? If it stays, your thermostat is fine. If it drops 20 to 30 degrees, the thermostat is stuck wide open.

 

[Fed372]

Here’s a quick test to test the thermostat. Drive it around with that screen up.. does coolant temp drop down into the 150s or lower? Or does it stay near 180? If it stays, your thermostat is fine. If it drops 20 to 30 degrees, the thermostat is stuck wide open.

I've seen 201 at most today 176 was the lowest when i took the photo. yes normally it'll hit the 220 or 224 an the fan will kick. And it's normally 199 206ish. Idk. Kinda worried got a long trip coming up

 

[HSKR R/T]

Here’s a quick test to test the thermostat. Drive it around with that screen up.. does coolant temp drop down into the 150s or lower? Or does it stay near 180? If it stays, your thermostat is fine. If it drops 20 to 30 degrees, the thermostat is stuck wide open.

Even if it stays near 180, that's too cold with a 203 degree thermostat.

 

[HSKR R/T]

I've seen 201 at most today 176 was the lowest when i took the photo. yes normally it'll hit the 220 or 224 an the fan will kick. And it's normally 199 206ish. Idk. Kinda worried got a long trip coming up

I just made a drive today. Same outside temps. Hit 203 no issues, and after thermostat started cycling, the lowest it got was 194. If the truck is running colder than that, there is an issue. Most likely stuck open thermostat.

 

[Fed372]

I just made a drive today. Same outside temps. Hit 203 no issues, and after thermostat started cycling, the lowest it got was 194. If the truck is running colder than that, there is an issue. Most likely stuck open thermostat.

I'd believe that. My other concern is my oil temps not getting above 200... which I'm guessing is making my oil psi high. I usually saw 33 at idle. Seeing 39 41 today. What coolant do we have to run in the 5th gens. I know it's not green

 

[kapinallinen2]

What coolant do we have to run in the 5th gens. I know it's not green

Organic Additive Technology (OAT) coolant conforming to MS.90032.

 

[HSKR R/T]

I'd believe that. My other concern is my oil temps not getting above 200... which I'm guessing is making my oil psi high. I usually saw 33 at idle. Seeing 39 41 today. What coolant do we have to run in the 5th gens. I know it's not green

Oil temps are going to follow coolant temps, plus s few degrees. I wouldn't worry about the oil pressure. Better high than low

 

[Fed372]

Oil temps are going to follow coolant temps, plus s few degrees. I wouldn't worry about the oil pressure. Better high than low

Just drove it 40 mins home from a cold start. It got to 190. Then fell to 170. Then cycled up to 186 to 175 the rest of the trip. Sitting in the drive way right now at 185. Heat is ok. I did notice when it was warming up it would fall back 3 or so degrees every so often also.

 

[kapinallinen2]

Just drove it 40 mins home from a cold start. It got to 190. Then fell to 170. Then cycled up to 186 to 175 the rest of the trip. Sitting in the drive way right now at 185. Heat is ok. I did notice when it was warming up it would fall back 3 or so degrees every so often also.

Does sound like a problem with the thermostat opening too soon/too much.

edit: from the horses mouth

"Thermostat

Component Index

A diaphragm-type thermostat controls the operating temperature of the engine by controlling the amount of coolant flow to the radiator. The thermostat is located inside of the thermostat housing. A wax element is located in a sealed container at the spring end of the thermostat. When heated, the internal wax expands, overcoming closing spring tension and water pump pressure to force the valve open. On all engines the thermostat begins to open at 88°C (190°F) to allow flow to the radiator. The thermostat is fully open by 100°C (212°F). An engine should not be operated without a thermostat, except for servicing or testing. Operating without a thermostat causes other problems such as longer engine warm-up time, unreliable warm-up performance, decreased fuel economy, increased exhaust emissions and crankcase condensation. This condensation can result in sludge formation"

 

[HSKR R/T]

Just drove it 40 mins home from a cold start. It got to 190. Then fell to 170. Then cycled up to 186 to 175 the rest of the trip. Sitting in the drive way right now at 185. Heat is ok. I did notice when it was warming up it would fall back 3 or so degrees every so often also.

Did you buy it new or used? If you bought it used, it looks like previous owner may have installed a 180 degree thermostat. Which isn't beneficial for your engine.

 

[Fed372]

Did you buy it new or used? If you bought it used, it looks like previous owner may have installed a 180 degree thermostat. Which isn't beneficial for your engine.

This is the first day it's done this. Last month it did not do this. Same temps outside 20s & 30s.... infact. Just 2 weeks ago I was seening normal operating temps 203ish. 206. Oil 212. 222. I don't wanna go back to the dealer for something as simple as a thermostat. However I have had nightmare issue with my other ram with the grill fins open an closing.... I'm thinking they are ok though.

 

[kapinallinen2]

This is the first day it's done this. Last month it did not do this. Same temps outside 20s & 30s.... infact. Just 2 weeks ago I was seening normal operating temps 203ish. 206. Oil 212. 222. I don't wanna go back to the dealer for something as simple as a thermostat. However I have had nightmare issue with my other ram with the grill fins open an closing.... I'm thinking they are ok though.

Should be good with the grill shutters, they would only cause a problem with overheating if they did not open.

 

[Fed372]

Should be good with the grill shutters, they would only cause a problem with overheating if they did not open.

Appreciate all you guys help. It's literally been sitting here for 35 mins. At idle at these temps. Hot heat. Hasn't moved. So I'm thinking t stat is open stuck. It's always cycled. 222 down to 206ish Coolant. Oil has always been at 212ish. Pressure 32 at idle.

 

[kapinallinen2]

Appreciate all you guys help. It's literally been sitting here for 35 mins. At idle at these temps. Hot heat. Hasn't moved. So I'm thinking t stat is open stuck. It's always cycled. 222 down to 206ish Coolant. Oil has always been at 212ish. Pressure 32 at idle.

Pop the hood, place your hand on the upper radiator hose and feel if it is hot. Mind your fingers, there are moving parts!
If hot, then the thermostat is open.

 

[Trooper4]

Probably a stuck open thermostat. Should be running 200-205 degrees after that long of running. Especially sitting at idle. But even if thermostat is stuck open, sitting at idle for more than 10-15 minutes should bring temps up.

If it was an open therm the temps wouldn't be that high. Been there, done that.