Radiator temp in/out and temp gauge readings

[mrdonut12]

Steve,
Forgive me if I'm a little short with you, but I'm a professional
mechanic with over 30 years experience, ASE Certified Master
Technician, Advanced L-1 Engine Performance Certification,
Service Advisor Certification and I own one of the best auto repair
shops in the US. In 10 years in business, my shop has fixed over
34,000 cars.
I told you 3 weeks ago, the first step in fixing this thing is
to install new factory thermostats. You have to establish baselines
of performance in a system in order to fix it. No other part of the
cooling system can be properly evaluated with malfunctioning
thermostats in place.
Thermostats get old, they wear out and they break.
You asked my advice, I gave it to you, you argued with me and
went out and bought a new toy that costs about 7 times what a
thermostat would cost and now you want me to answer more questions.
My question to you is, do you want to screw around or do you want
to fix this thing?

George Witt
81 FC 35
Lincoln, Nebraska

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "transit360"
wrote:
> Tom and George,
>
> OK, sorry guys. I forgot to mention I also shot a temp reading on
> the hose going in and out of the water pump, both at around 200
> degrees also.
> To be honest with you, I'm not sure where my thermostat is. I'm
> assuming it's in a usual spot near the water pump, but I've never
> worked on the 8.3 Cummins before, and I've been trying to find a
> manual for a month. But it should be a no-brainer.
> So I'm gathering that we're suspecting improper coolant flow,
> which could be caused by a stuck thermostat or possibly a weak water
> pump? I'm assuming when I locate the thermostat that I should be
> able to shoot it at operating temp and the temp should be the same
> on both sides, otherwise a temp difference would indicate it's
> closed, yes? Sounds feasible.
> However, this is pretty much how this bus has always run,
> around 200 degrees on the highway. Wouldn't it overheat if the
> thermostat stayed closed? Could it be partially open or closed? That
> would restrict flow but maybe not enough to totally overheat the
> engine?
>
> Thanks,
> Steve
> 2 '98 Bluebird QBRE Partybuses
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Tom Warner
> wrote:
> > George what he established is that the radiator is not exhanging
> heat.
> > There should be only about a 10-15 degree difference between the
> temp at
> > the top and bottom. If not the coolant is not flowing more then
> likely
> > because the thermostat is not open.
> >
> > tom
> > 1982 FC35
> > Vernon Center,Ny
> >
> > At 02:15 AM 7/20/2005 +0000, you wrote:
> > >Steve,
> > > You've established that the radiator, at the current flow
> > >rate, is capable of exchanging heat.
> > > What you haven't established is if there's any water flow.
> > >With that deep a drop in temperature, does that tell you that
> maybe
> > >the coolant is flowing too slowly?
> > > Use your Raytek infrared temp gun to tell you if the
> thermostat
> > >is working properly.
> > >
> > > George Witt
> > > 81 FC 35
> > > Lincoln, Nebraska
> > >
> > >
> > >--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "transit360"
> > > wrote:
> > > > I just got my new Raytek infrared temp gun and was getting
> some
> > > > shots on my 8.3 Cummins pusher in my '98 QBRE Partybus. I shot
> the
> > > > top of the radiator and it read 200 degrees, which is what my
> bus
> > > > temp gauge said. I shot the lower radiator hose and it read 130
> > > > degrees.
> > > > I made sure to test location and reposition my gun several
> > > > times, and this is what I got. Should there be such a drastic
> change
> > > > in temp through the radiator? I was expecting about 15-20
> degrees
> > > > difference. Could this indicate any problems?
> > > >
> > > > Second question: My temp gauge on the dash has green (safe)
> > > > markings up to 220 degrees. Past 220, it reads in the red. My
> bird
> > > > typically runs at 200 degrees while riding. Is this normal?
> Seems a
> > > > little on the warm side but this is my first Cummins as I have
> dealt
> > > > primarily with 8.2 and 6V71 Detroits in the past. My other
> Bluebird
> > > > partybus (same exact bus) runs at about 190, although I haven't
> > > > confirmed it with the temp gun like the first.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > > Steve
> > > > 2 '98 Bluebird QBRE Partybuses
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
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