Engine running hotter now then in winter

[rawalabhay]

Ok now this might be a rookie question but I do not know much about engines. My 96 explorer has been running hotter now with the temperatures being in the 70s compared to winter when the temps continuosly below 0. I have also noticed that this is with the A/C running so I am guessing it is that but I am not sure. When the temps go down to below 60s the car runs fine but this is without A/c. It wasnt doing this last summer (as far as I remember). Also, the temp gauge goes only about 40% of the way to H compared to the 25 % way to H in winter (I can post pictures of the guage later). But I have also seen the temp gauge go that high with higher air temps and some load in the truck so I dont know if this is normal or sign of some thing coming in the future. Any information is more the welcome and thanks in advance.

 

[Papa]

Sounds like your thermostat needs to be replaced since it is not properly regulating the engine temperature.

 

[cfd911]

it sounds like in the winter it was always cold so it takes longer to reach operating temp but now the weather is warmer the engine is reaching op temp sooner and it s harder for the radiator to cool but really it sounds like you need to replace the thermostat and a good radiator flush with 50/50 mix of antifreeze.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! If a thermostat, and radiator flush don't solve your problem, it might be the fan clutch. You could also be a little low on coolant.