Temp gauge moves up then comes down to normal

[inkadink]

I just wanted to hear what people with vehicles like mine would say about this.

When I start up my 97' Tahoe from cold and I take her for a drive the temp gauge will creep up almost to 210 degrees and then sit there for a minute or two and then it goes back down to normal ( the second fat line on the gauge). it will stay at normal running temps from then on while driving the truck.

Would you diagnose this as a sticky thermostat or maybe something worse?

Thank-you for any help or ideas.

 

[JKmotorsports]

Maybe a bad t-stat that isnt opening at the preset temp. If the temp was constantly up and down, then I'd say a bad gauge, sending unit, or air pocket in the system. But your description sounds like a bad t-stat to me.

 

[AtomicHoe094]

+2. or big air pocket in the antifreeze lkie mentionedd

 

[ravingmadman]

Drain/flush for starters. Cheap and easy to do, and "upgrade" to regular coolant if you haven't gotten rid of the dexcool yet. Then, see if you have the same issue. If so, you've ruled out a bubble, so replace your thermostat.

 

[jdawg901]

mine is doin the same but mostly stays around 210 area ,i dont have any leaks but when i turn the truck off i smell coolant

 

[bsamoul]

Is upgrading from Dexcool mean just flush it and use a regular coolant? Is that all it takes?

 

[ravingmadman]

Yes. But make sure you get all that crap out, because regular green antifreeze makes dexcool coagulate, and turn into semi-liquid blobs that your heater core and radiator won't take too kindly to.

 

[jdawg901]

im still using dexcool should i be thankin about changin over?

 

[ravingmadman]

Yeah. Dexcool was a mistake. There was just a class action that was won, because dexcool eats the gaskets inside your engine. Pretty awesome.

 

[IRQVET]

I took my Tahoe into the shop today for some preventative maintenance, new plugs and wires. My Mechanic told me Dexcool coolant was really bad and it was put in almost all GM products by the factory.

When I purchased my 1998 Tahoe 2D, about 4 months ago, the first thing I did was:

- Flush the coolant and I used Prestone coolant.
- K&N air filter
- Flowmaster 3 chamber muffler
- Mobile 1 full synthetic 5w/30
- Lucus transmission anti slip
- Lucus fuel treatment

I have always sworn by these products and for years this is what I've done with every used vehicle I've ever owned. I have always been fortunate and never had any vehicle I've owned breakdown. I also use 89 Octane and I change my oil no-matter-what every 3,000 miles.