Tempature Gauge

[BE Snowplowing]

Hey all,

I have a 2000 Chev Silverado 5.3L 4X4 extended cab with 265,000 km, can anyone tell me where the temp gauge should be sitting when at normal operating temp.

The gauge on my truck starts at 75 then half way is 100 then the red zone is 125.

Thanks
Brian

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by BE Snowplowing

Hey all,

I have a 2000 Chev Silverado 5.3L 4X4 extended cab with 265,000 km, can anyone tell me where the temp gauge should be sitting when at normal operating temp.

The gauge on my truck starts at 75 then half way is 100 then the red zone is 125.

Thanks
Brian

You should first check truck actual running tempt.
Should be around 195-200 degrees depending on stat.
Then see if the gauge is reading actual tempt.
Where are you getting the 75-100-125 readings and what are they in?

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by BE Snowplowing

Hey all,

I have a 2000 Chev Silverado 5.3L 4X4 extended cab with 265,000 km, can anyone tell me where the temp gauge should be sitting when at normal operating temp.

The gauge on my truck starts at 75 then half way is 100 then the red zone is 125.

Thanks
Brian

the numbers you gave are deg C. so this temp should be just to the left/below 100deg C. my 2000 sil runs at 190-195 deg F ...

this is the reading on this vehicle for the past 11 yrs.

If the temp rises above this when plowing I suggest you check your cooling system for proper operation and fluid being clear / not cloudy with particles. thermostat should be replaced at 3-4 yr intervals with the coolant replacement. only use distilled water with dexcool.......

when filling coolant leave cap off tank with engine running , this removes the air that gets trapped/ rev engine a few times air should bubble out.

If the coolant system is good then you may need a large transmission cooler if this temp is high when plowing only............

[jdmccright]

Unless you have replaced the thermostat with a lower temperature unit, it should sit just below the 100°C mark after the engine is fully warm and no hard work done.

Plowing involves a lot of transmission shifting and low-speed maneuvering, which will hike up the cooling system temps. I would be surprised if you don't already have a separate transmission as well as steering fluid coolers to go with your plow package (this is inferred from your username).

I'd also suggest a transmission fluid temperature gauge. Newer trucks might already have the temp sensor, it just needs to be accessed through the OBD port. Otherwise, you can buy a gauge for about $60.

Hope this helps!

[BE Snowplowing]

A great big thank you for your help.

My temp gauge sits just below the 100 degree C. mark, and runs fine, I was only asking because on my Suburban the temp gauge sits at around the 85 degree C. mark.

One last thing, Yes I have a tranny cooler, but it was mentioned about a power steering cooler??? is there such a thing, and where would I go to get one.

Thank you again
Brian

[jdmccright]

The Burb thermostat may have been replaced with a lower temp one sometime in the past. No big deal, cooler is usually better for older trucks. Newer ones (circa 2003 or so) are more particular for emissions control...some set a SES light if they detect too low coolant temperature.

As for the steering fluid cooler, most GM trucks have some sort of rudimentary cooler, usually consisting of an extra length of bent tubing routed in/out of the front end of the box frame...looks cheesy but I guess it works for the 98% of people who don't make their trucks really work.

You can plumb in any aftermarket tube/fin cooler, and it probably doesn't need to be very big. In fact, just found this on the Advance Auto website:

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...0D_A%7CGRP2070

All I'd say is that I'd recommend the cooler be painted to help combat the salty roads. You could use a high-temp black paint like for barbecues, just be sure to spray straight into the fins to get better penetration.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by BE Snowplowing

A great big thank you for your help.

My temp gauge sits just below the 100 degree C. mark, and runs fine, I was only asking because on my Suburban the temp gauge sits at around the 85 degree C. mark.

One last thing, Yes I have a tranny cooler, but it was mentioned about a power steering cooler??? is there such a thing, and where would I go to get one.

Thank you again
Brian

with the temperature operation. on any vehicle made with cat converters and especially aluminum engine components never use the wrong thermostat. the engine must run at the design temp. too hot or cold causes problems. sometimes expensive problems.

sure some vehicles have coolers for the power steering . they are small in size, 3 tubes about 8 inches long on my vehicles.