what would you consider the normal amount of time (or distance) before your truck warms up to full operating temerature?

i drive about 6 miles (2 or so of which are freeway) to work every day which takes about 15 minutes. i've noticed the truck doesn't even get to full temp until i'm on the last half mile to work. is this normal? every other rig i drive warms up in the first 5 minutes, especially after the short 60mph freeway drive. i guess i wouln't be too concerened except the truck is still on partial choke until its all the way hot, and with gas at $4/gal i want it leaned out to a normal mixture as soon as possible. its a new carb, so i don't think that's to blame. maybe my stat is opening a little early and keeping things cool for too long?

Al

 

If running in the driveway my truck takes about 5min. maybe ten at most depending on the day. Seems the freeway run should be surely getting you warmed up

 

I would check the Tstat and maybe replace. I use a mechanical temp gauge that has the sensor right before the Tstat and my truck takes about 5 mins of idling or like a 2-3 min drive to get up to 175-185. Once its warmed up it never goes below 180 or above 195 even when climbing big hills @ 4000rpm for like 5 mins.

 

yeah, check the tstat, had one rotted out so that it was open all the time. rig wouldn't get up to temp at all in the winter.

 

just changed all the coolant hoses and also the stat. old one didn't look too bad, but you never know. only problem is now i can't get the guage to make it to half way like before. while the warm up was slow, it would settle just about at half way and never really move. now the needle creeps up to 1/3 at most, sometimes only 1/4. i'll find out tomorrow if the choke turns off any sooner, but i'm already having my doubts. hopefully its just an air bubble at the guage sender and it will work its way out....

Al

 

What temp range thermostat did you get? You might have bought a 180F instead of the proper 195F.

 

Clogged rad? Maybe the temp sender isn't reading correct?

 

i'll have to double check but it should be 195.

turns out its overcooling just the same as before, it still hangs on a partial choke and fast idle. i'm convinced the guage has a bubble or is wrong, it won't move past 1/3 on the guage and thats even flogging it has hard as i can. but the partial choke tells me its still over cooling. can't see how a bad rad could cause that.

Al

 

Isnt the 195 a winter Tstat? I may be wrong but i always swap the 195 in for winter and the 180 for may-sept

 

if the stat is working properly you should never have to switch out for summer months to a lower degree. a lot of the full size jeep guys (fsj's are natorious for overheating) do that and they don't realize that its just a band-aid to other problems... usually a clogged radiator or weak water pump. also, motors will run their most effeciently at higher temps, like 195... 180 can rob you of some MPG's.

Al