Changed thermostat, Coolant temperature stays at 185 degrees

[SpaceBaller01]

Does this have electric cooling fans, or a clutch fan?

I'm guessing it's clutch driven. It does have a shaft driving those fans.

 

[Fless]

I'm guessing it's clutch driven. It does have a shaft driving those fans.

If the shaft is driven by the water pump, it's a clutch fan (one). The electric fans are dual and are not connected to the water pump.

 

[SpaceBaller01]

Yeah... I wasn't insulting your mechanical abilities. I haven't found out if the casting for the thermostat housing would even allow the part to be flipped like it could on the Jeeps. I was just trying to talk out some of the possibilities and an open stat was one of the things I was thinking of as at least being remotely possible. Even then, the engine would get up to the normal operating temperature of somewhere close to 210 F +/- a few...

Cooler than normal most all the time and occasionally almost normal random other times.
This is a head-scratcher, but I am sure someone can help walk you through this diagnosis.

Don't worry I didn't think you were meaning to there. Like you've mentioned we're trying to rule out some possibilities and no harm to ask .

Honestly I'm pretty tempted to go ahead and just try another thermostat. I happen to have one forgot, just didn't want to change out the coolant again if I don't have to.

 

[SpaceBaller01]

If the shaft is driven by the water pump, it's a clutch fan (one). The electric fans are dual and are not connected to the water pump.

In this case, yep it's definitely clutch driven. Just checked, connected to water pump, single fan.

 

[MassHoe04]

Don't worry I didn't think you were meaning to there. Like you've mentioned we're trying to rule out some possibilities and no harm to ask .

Honestly I'm pretty tempted to go ahead and just try another thermostat. I happen to have one forgot, just didn't want to change out the coolant again if I don't have to.

Unless the coolant is dirty or has big chunks of rust coming out with it when you drain down, I would pour it back in.
You may lose some while disconnecting hoses, but why throw it out if it looks good and clean.

If it doesn't look as good as when it came out of the jug, by all means new fluid.
But, save a few bucks if you can.

 

[SpaceBaller01]

Ok IR thermometer came in.
around 140-150 w heat off, 160 - 170 on
lower hose 105
upper 164 - 170

 

[SpaceBaller01]

So I changed the thermostat. I'm trying to fill it back up with coolant. Reservoir is full. None of the hoses are obstructed. However, I thought I saw smoke coming from the engine (had a burning smell too) and new popping sounds, it was dark outside though so not 100% at this point.. Not sure if it's just trying to burn the spilled coolant off or not What is the best thing to do here?

I tried squeezing the radiator hoses to try to get more of the air out (and so I can remove my funnel from the tank). Not sure how much that helped. I have 1 gallon in, I'm pretty sure 3 came out.

 

[MassHoe04]

You could try this...
Disconnect the upper radiator hose and fill until it starts coming out the upper hose. That should allow free flow to fill the radiator to near capacity.
Connect the upper hose.
Fill the coolant reservoir to the top (it will go down).
Run the engine.
When the thermostat opens, the level will go down and you will need to top off to the fill line on the reservoir.
You may need to top off more than once.
Just keep checking the levels after driving some.

I bet as soon as you disconnect the upper hose, the coolant in the reservoir will rush right out and be empty.

 

[SpaceBaller01]

Ok false alarm. The popping went away after a few minutes. No smoke. I've been able to get some coolant. It has bubbled down a bit, not significantly. Was able to drive up the road and get heat with no signs of overheat.

Thermostat is still going up only partway. I have a new sending unit coming in tomorrow. If that doesn't work I'll probably just have it looked at.

 

[OR VietVet]

Haven't we recommended an infra-red temp gun check at the thermostat housing, somewhere in this thread?