Where is the engine temp needled supposed to sit at on 3rd gen

Gentlemen, couldn't find an answer through search, but I'm sure it may vary from truck to truck based on environment, off-roading, incline, ambient temps outside, towing, but in general, where is your needle supposed to sit? Halfway? Just past?

 

Half way or just past is perfectly normal.

 

Right in the middle under normal conditions.

 

Mine's about 1/8" below half.

 

Sorry, that’s what I meant just didn’t know what it was tied too...

 

pretty sure the coolant temp needle on these has a gimmick circuit to keep it dead center as long as its anywhere near normal range...

 

Get a scangauge 2, it is more precise. I seem to be between 185-200 degrees Fahrenheit at running temp. Another fun fact the high idle when it first starts doesn’t turn off till water temp hits 100 degrees.

 

Semantics.

 

See, that just proves there are a bunch of cheapskates in this thread. They only fill the temperature tank to half full. C'mon guys, it does not cost much at all to just fill it up to "H." I went to the temperature filling station today and had them fill 'er up. Perfect now, pegged full "H."

 

No, engine temps can 2X that in spots.

 

Mind sits dead center at operating temp.

 

H - High Speed, I'm on it.

 

So what is the engine temp? The temp of the block in a specific spot? Oil temp? Exhaust temp?

 

Coolant.

 

Which is why they use coolant temp lol. Engines have multiple temperatures at specific locations. All those different temperatures are measured when calculating heat exchanger (radiator) load and sizing.
Also coolant entering the heat exchanger is at a much higher temperature than the coolant exiting the heat exchanger.

 

I know, that’s kind of what I was getting at with the first post. Coolant temp is pretty much the industry wide accepted indication of engine temp. To say a guy needs to learn the gauge is coolant temp not engine temp is worthless since that is the only indication of engine temp (other than after the fact idiot lights) you get in most modern vehicle.

 

Ya want it between 1/2 and 13/16 if it is working properly. Lower is not best, better that too high for sure, because too low and you introduce condensation into the oil.

 

if you're just curious, and you're at all nerdy like I am, pick up a ELM327 bluetooth OBD module, stick it in your OBD port, and you can read the engine coolant temperature with TorquePro on any Android device. also read and reset diagnostic codes, etc etc.

I have this one that seems to work well:

$13 Panlong OBD2 Scanner Bluetooth OBDII Diagnostic Tool Car Code Reader Turn Off Check Engine Light Support Android Torque App

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PJPHEBO

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque

 

This is true. I monitor the coolant temp PID with OBD fusion and the dash needle will stay in the middle while the actual value fluctuates quite a bit. Normal.
I suspect it is done this way to keep the average driver from worrying - ahhhh the gauge is normal and doesn't move, I feel good about that . Hell, they don't even put numbers on it any more, because well - you don't really need to know I guess.

Edit:

Morning commute, 46F. 10 miles, mostly secondary roads @ 35-45 mph in 6th. A short stint on the highway at 60-65 followed by some stop and go. No WOT lol.

Temp gauge reached normal/half way/straight up at 170 -175F, no movement after that. Coolant temp peaked at 199.

I can't remember what the max coolant temp I've seen was (more than 205 IIRC), but the cluster gauge has never moved above straight up. We rarely see temps exceed 90C where I live BTW, the Atlantic Ocean has a lot to do with that.

 

Between C and H.