thermostat, temp gauge or something else?

[mtndew]

so the temp gauge on my 92 only goes up maybe a quarter of the way, maybe less. would this be the gauge? or is it more likely the thermostat is stuck open? if its not the thermostat, what could cause it to do this? the gauge does move, just not very far

[grc1]

Hi, I would chek thermostat first. take the thermostat and visually inspect to see if it is open.If it is then replace. If not then put thermostat in very hot water(since your cheking it's operation then boiling water is just fine)and see if it opens. Now let the thermostat cool off in same water to see if it will close. Trermostats have been known to stick in one position or another.. If you are still not sure then just replace with new one.But please do the water test on new thermostat before you install. I have installed a new deficttive one and no sence doing the work twice.

Just my two cents

[jtgh]

yes, do change out very old stats. but get a quality one. not china junk.
I use STANT (TM) and never tested a bad one. (out of box)

do you think the gauge is accurate, it has no numbers on it.?
it is not an instrument. id never trust it. It is a toy grade gauge. no joke.

look it as an idiot lamp, low is cold , high is too hot.

not to mention how old it is. gee, it's an antique.

best practice is buy an IR gun and shoot the stat housing.
see what the truth really is, no guessing.

over-heating-why?

see advanced tools section. $10 tool , no guessing ,no burned finger, or chasing tail.

make sure Radiator is fill , COLD. do not look at the overflow bottle.
if the Rad. is not full you will have air on top of STAT and Gauge sensor and all will act crazy, no air allowed.

[jtgh]

new stat.
new sender.
results.

[jtgh]

my friend has a real fancy huge GM diesel PU truck.
all the customers complained that the guage read to low.

so GM , reprogrammed the ECU (body computer) to read higher.
problem solved.

sad ,huh? all the wasted energy for no gain. wow.

see TSB GM. some laughable..... YMMV.

[mtndew]

that image is about exactly where mine is sitting (diffrent gauge set up though, mines in center). i dont have a tool to get exact temp, but im about 85% sure its running at the right temp, that gauge just didnt look normal. also jtgh, i took a brief look at your thermostat page on your site, and so basicly what your saying is, if the lip it sits in is 1mm use housing gasket, and 4mm use o ring? and if i ask for a stat for a 92 tracker, would they give me this part (napa) or do i have to specify?

[jtgh]

sorry i forgot to mention that, shame on me.

yes, yours is subject to the deep/shallow socket rule.
you must not mix parts. (use both gaskets)
you must use O-ring (its a flat slotted o-ring , just like on the 1.8L DOHC sport) deep well.
the shallow well uses the old fashioned gasket.

and gp stores are clueless to this or just assume you know this..... yah right..
local auto stores.

id buy the stat and both gaskets to be sure. (so you dont have to take last min. run)
i think even felpro sells both gaskets.

guages:
later i swapped to tacho head and it stills reads the same.


a new stat is a good tune up option for any car. after 5 years in service.
cheers.