Just put in an elictrical temp gauge and found out what my temps really are. About 200-210 depending on how hot it is outside (it was 114 yesterday). Does this sound right or should I put a cooler thermostat in there? I have a replacement NAPA one that I put in when I bought the truck.

 

I'd put the dodge factory one in. Expensive but well worth it in my opinion.

 

I agree with BB. There are cheaper ones out there, but you'll go through 2-3 before you find a good one. 180F degree is all you need.

 

Cool, thanks for the replies, I wasnt sure what the factory temp was supposed to be.

 

I thought factory is 190??

I don't know for sure but I thought that's what I read on here somewhere. I did read a good post here when I did a search for coolant sometime back. I'll see if I can find it.

OK.. found it.

click here


Hope this helps.

Doug

 

They come stock as 180. You can get a 190 also.

 

The hotter the better up to 215* or so. Diesels are most efficient at those temps.
Of course we are talking actual in the engine so if your readings are 200-210* I personally would be very happy with those.
I would not go out and get a cooler stat IMO.

Big Jimmy

 

Big Jimmy, that's a big negatory. Coolant temp at 215* = overheating on a turbocharged diesel engine. You want it to run 170-180* in those outside temps or any for that matter. NAPA t-stats are known junk. I would guess that is your overheating problem. Use Cummins t-stats only. Cheaper than the Dodge dealer and most likely the same stat. Although if Dodge doesn't have one in stock, chances are they call up Napa and get one for you to pick up. I would not want to see much more than 210* towing in hot weather.

I've never seen a 190* stat from Cummins for a 12 valve, only the 24 valves. Not to say one doesn't exist. I'd only want one that high if I was in a COLD climate and didn't tow.

Go get a new stat from Cummins.

 

I ran a stat in my PSD rated at 215 *.

Many of us did and still do.

Its no accident that early PSD's had a 215* stat from the factory, and the Cummins had a 190* stat.

The PSD may run a cooler engine vs the Cummins (a 190 stat showing 200-210* fluid in the CTD) but that is were the engine gives you its best performance.

Diesels are given cooler stats to meet smog laws, not because they run best at that temp.

Jimmy

 

________________________

Both my CTDs had 180 stats from the factory and ran 170-180 according to my other mechanical gauges. FWIW the local Cummins dealer here dosent even sell a 190 tstat for either my 12v or 24v

 

The 190* was superceeded and is now unavailable. Those temps from the factory are to meet smog regs, not because the engines need to be at those temps.

Anyway, I'm not trying to argue against you. More to bring up the point that temps set at the factory are cool for a diesel.

I don't get concerned if my truck is running around 200*. It can handle it.

What I would like to know is some of the cooling issues with our CTD's. The PSD (same year) I had had a great cooling system. It was one part of the navistar that was really well designed. They just rarely overheated no matter what the conditions.
It seems the Cummins cooling system is not quite as efficient.


Jimmy

 

The 02's come stock at 190*.
I run the Cummins180* T-Stat in the summer.Part # 3967195. Solves all coolent problems (increasing temps) from added HP when towing or racing.
Stock Dodge 190* T-Stat has a plate on it for quicker warmups... but it restricts flow. "Haulin-in-Dixie" did the research on this two yrs ago and recommended the 180* Cummins part. Solved his problems (towing up to 30,000#)....and sure solved mine. I never see higher than 190*, no matter how hard I work the truck... and don't want to!

While all diesels do operate more efficiently at higher cylinder temps, for the CTD around 1000-1200*, I see no benefit in using higher coolant temps to get there

RJ

 

That answers my questions, especially the part about the 190*restriction plate (bad) and the cylinder temps.

Jimmy