Temp Gauge Calibration

rdhack · 07-02-2008, 07:01 AM

1995 Chevy 5.7L k2500 4x4

My temperature gauge just can't be right. Truck has newly installed 180 degree thermostat and sending unit. The gauge reads just under 160 degrees. Is there any way to remedy this? A calibration method perhaps? Or do I need a new gauge?

Thanks

03chevy · 07-02-2008, 07:03 AM

is that while you are driving or sitting still? driving that is fine put sitting still you need a new guage

rdhack · 07-02-2008, 07:07 AM

It is while driving

03chevy · 07-02-2008, 07:09 AM

that's fine because the air running through the radi. help keeping it cool. other than just the fan trying to keep it cool.

bradrhale · 07-02-2008, 09:00 AM

keep in mind that the temp guage is not calibrated to accuracy. you can get in 5 different trucks and get different readings but all run the same temp. they are more or less a guide. if one day it is alot higher than it normally runs, that would be an indication of a problem.

Chevy_Finatic79 · 07-02-2008, 09:05 AM

160 seems way to low for normal operation I have a 160 thermostat on my truck and in park @ just idle it reads around 180 to 190. anything over 205 degrees will break down oil life and vescosity in less than 30 days

97GMC1500 · 07-21-2008, 04:54 AM

I noticed while I was driving this morning that the temperature guage in my 97 GMC was bouncing from one line below 210 to one line above. It didn't matter if I was driving or sitting still. Any ideas?

bradrhale · 07-21-2008, 07:50 AM

if it is bouncing around like that, it might be a faulty gauge. might also be your sensor. also check that you have good connections at your plugs

leolkfrm · 07-22-2008, 07:40 AM

an air bubble.. or low collant will also make the guage bounce. do you have an air bleeder on the housing with the sensor?

fbhart@wk.net · 07-22-2008, 10:14 AM

question, why do you have a 160 degree thermostat?
i believe a 195 is std for this motor.

hook up a direct connect manual gauge to the motor, they are much more dependable.

Plus a stewart warner 270 degree gauge looks cools,

I use all manual gauges for coolant, oil and volts, do not trust electronic gauges.

07-02-2008, 07:01 AM	#1
rdhack Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: kentucky Posts: 100	Temp Gauge Calibration 1995 Chevy 5.7L k2500 4x4 My temperature gauge just can't be right. Truck has newly installed 180 degree thermostat and sending unit. The gauge reads just under 160 degrees. Is there any way to remedy this? A calibration method perhaps? Or do I need a new gauge? Thanks __________________ MY first truck was a FORD.......I've owned Chevy's ever since. 1995 K2500 4x4 5.7L Cheyenne 1991 T-10 Blazer 4.3L Tahoe Package 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada 4.3L Vortec Smart Drive

07-02-2008, 07:03 AM	#2
03chevy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: jax,fl Posts: 991	is that while you are driving or sitting still? driving that is fine put sitting still you need a new guage __________________ A dirty mind is a terrible thing to waste!

07-02-2008, 07:07 AM	#3
rdhack Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: kentucky Posts: 100	It is while driving __________________ MY first truck was a FORD.......I've owned Chevy's ever since. 1995 K2500 4x4 5.7L Cheyenne 1991 T-10 Blazer 4.3L Tahoe Package 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada 4.3L Vortec Smart Drive

07-02-2008, 07:09 AM	#4
03chevy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: jax,fl Posts: 991	that's fine because the air running through the radi. help keeping it cool. other than just the fan trying to keep it cool. __________________ A dirty mind is a terrible thing to waste!

07-02-2008, 09:05 AM	#6
Chevy_Finatic79 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lincoln NE Posts: 439	160 seems way to low for normal operation I have a 160 thermostat on my truck and in park @ just idle it reads around 180 to 190. anything over 205 degrees will break down oil life and vescosity in less than 30 days __________________ "She's gonna Freak when she see's my wheels" 85' Chevy C-10 Longbox (Rat) TBI 5.7 Liter/THM350 90' Chevy Suburban 4x4 TBI 350 Cu.In./700R4 http://www.truckforum.org/forums/truck-pictures-176.htm

07-02-2008, 09:00 AM	#5
bradrhale Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 2,972	keep in mind that the temp guage is not calibrated to accuracy. you can get in 5 different trucks and get different readings but all run the same temp. they are more or less a guide. if one day it is alot higher than it normally runs, that would be an indication of a problem.

07-21-2008, 04:54 AM	#7
97GMC1500 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1	Temp Guage fluctuating I noticed while I was driving this morning that the temperature guage in my 97 GMC was bouncing from one line below 210 to one line above. It didn't matter if I was driving or sitting still. Any ideas?

07-21-2008, 07:50 AM	#8
bradrhale Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 2,972	if it is bouncing around like that, it might be a faulty gauge. might also be your sensor. also check that you have good connections at your plugs

07-22-2008, 07:40 AM	#9
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 1,079	an air bubble.. or low collant will also make the guage bounce. do you have an air bleeder on the housing with the sensor?

07-22-2008, 10:14 AM	#10
fbhart@wk.net Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 86	question, why do you have a 160 degree thermostat? i believe a 195 is std for this motor. hook up a direct connect manual gauge to the motor, they are much more dependable. Plus a stewart warner 270 degree gauge looks cools, I use all manual gauges for coolant, oil and volts, do not trust electronic gauges.

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