Hi, I'm new to the forum and wanted to say it's amazing how much knowledge is here. I've used the search engine so much that I have come to depend on the ability to find answers here. I have owned my truck since it was new. It now has 205k mi on it. For the first 140k miles, on the original engine, the temp gauge always read about 1/8 from cold. About 3 needle widths from the cold line. I lived in Texas and it would never rise above that mark, even on the 100 degree days in traffic. Now this engine will not stay below half way on the gauge and sometimes will go up to 3/4. I'm trying to figure out what items I should look at replacing that may be limiting the ability to cool. Here is my list.

1. Fan clutch. Is there a test for it? (it's original)
2. t-stat. (I was gonna get a 180)
3. rad. It's about 8 years old, but doesn't leak.
4. temp sender? Should these be replaced?

Thanks for any advice.

 

For what it's worth, the 1st thing I'd do is take the radiator to a radiator shop and have them manually clean out the insides. They get clogged up after a few yrs with deposits. I have that done 1st anymore and in all 3 cases (94' Isuzu, 93' Cougar, 87' 4Runner) it solved the problem. Whether or not you replace anything else, it's still going to need done either way.