Operating Temperature Really Low

[swiftyman]

So I was checking my fluids yesterday morning because I haven't checked them in over a year (except oil and brake fluid). And I noticed my radiator was a little low, and the coolant reservoir didn't have anything in it so I topped it off, and filled the reservoir to the cool line.

The truck has always ran on the cool side since I bought it from my uncle a few years ago, around the N or O on the gauge even in the middle of summer (around here we hit between 105-113 on really hot days) so I'm guessing he put a cooler thermostat in it. I was driving it home last night and the temperature was probably about 50 degrees outside. While I was in the city at the stop lights and what not it was in the normal range of the gauge (below the N) but once I was on the open road headed home it stayed outside of the normal range, just outside of the line but on the cold side.

So I guess my questions are....

Can this cause any problems for my engine?

Should I change the thermostat or remove some coolant and just add water back in?

Or should I just be happy my truck runs nice and cool?

It's a 1992 if that matters at all.

 

[rickybobby]

it sounds like your thermostat is stuck open, running it like that will hurt fuel economy and performance, but shouldnt cause any long term damage

 

[something9000]

mine runs the same way too. except it doesnt get to 50 degrees much in fl.

 

[swiftyman]

I wondered if it might be the thermostat, but I turned on the heater on high last night and my friend and I were roasting after about 20 seconds and turned the air back on. I know, I'm crazy because I run the AC in 50 degree weather; but I hate the noise of windows being down.

I'll have to keep an eye on my MPG and see if it drops over the next couple of tanks. I'll be driving it tomorrow for about 2 hours during the day so I should be able to see if the gauge changes at all while it's warmer.

 

[rickybobby]

your 92 has a seperate sensor for the guage, on my 94 it always read low, even with a new t-stat, the fix should be to replace the sensor and clean the threads in the intake manifold, as that is the ground for the guage sensor. That seems to help many, however that didnt fix mine, so i ran an aftermarket guage and it read fine

 

[ppbskis]

I have the same situation. I purchased my 92 from a private seller. After my test drive which was in hot weather I noticed the temp gauge did not seem to move or register.
Part of my purchase agreement included a new a/c compressor, and the temp gauge to be fixed. Both items were replaced, I even witnessed the mechanic installing the new temp sensor.
I assumed I was going to see a new temp reading, so either I have the coolest running engine or ? but I rarely see movement in my temp gauge.
The only time I saw it really go up was in bumper to bumper traffic in really hot weather with the A/C cranking, it then went up to R in Normal. I also never see much movement in my coolant expansion tank, hope this is a good thing.

 

[mr cribb]

I had same problem for the gauge. I went to autozone and got the sender for the gauge. The tried selling me the 10 and 20 dollar one with a lifetime warranty, then I seen they had one for $6.99, I got that one. I saw no point in buying a 20 dollar sender when the one I pulled out is more than likely original to the truck.

So if the first one lasted 201k... then a $6.99 sender will prob last longer than the truck??? I bet so.

I had been reading on here about the separate sender and the symptoms. Mine wouldn't read more that the N in normal if it made it that far. Before the sender failed it had read up to the O/R and sometimes the M.

Now after replacement it reads dead center on the gauge.

I used an 11/16 deep well and a swivel and a 3" extension to remove it. Took 5 min if that.

 

[Kamel]

Had a similar issue in a van of mine. It was a thermostat that was damaged and letting coolant through while closed, but not necessisarily 'stuck open'

 

[00meangreenXLT]

my gauge was always on C when i got my ex...i changed the temperature sender first which did nothing, turned out my thermostat was stuck open (i still had heat when it was like that). W/ the new thermostat the needle goes up to half and stays there