temp gauge..overheating?

[The Hillbilly]

Hi,

Just bought a 92 explorer for a hunting vehicle...temp gauge varies from 1/4 on the gauge to 3/4..while driving a couple miles..goes over halfway on gauge..then comes back to normal....changes very quickly..don't think it's overheating...never goes to hot..it just doesn't stay in one place..anyone seen this..could it be a thermostat?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[TSTONE]

Sounds like you have air pockets in your cooling system

 

[Glacier991]

Do some research on the 1st Gen (91-94) temp gauge, I think you will find posts on your problem, and the symptoms you describe are probably not cooling system related.

 

[marragtop]

I'd start with the thermostat. It's normal maintenance and an easy repair. Make sure you get an o-ring gasket with the new therm.

Mike

 

[Brock94]

I had the same kind of symptoms with my bad thermostat too. I also recommend replacing that first.

 

[The Hillbilly]

Thanks for the replies..I'll check the thermostat and burp it tomorrow..was booted out of 911 to this forum....may not be an emergency to some.. but to me..yes a newbie, with a 500 mile hunting trip and a 140000 mile vehicle that I just bought.. and a gauge showing normal to hot..1/2 a day saturday to fix it.......well..to me it is pretty serious.

Thanks again for the help,
Steve