Engine temperture

[jsdoyle]

My truck ran at 180 degrees all last summer. Sitting at a stop light or in traffic it would creep up to around 200. Not too bad.

Last fall after the outside temps had dropped I had to put a new radiator hose on so I also put in a new 180 degree thermostat.

The few times I took it out over the winter the truck warmed up fine to around 180. No problem.

Well now that the outside temps are warming up, today was around 80, I've noticed the engine temp when driving is up to 200. Higher when sitting still. I also had a little antifreeze come out the overflow one day after cutting it off and going into a store for a few.

So, I'm wondering what's up with the temp? Is it a bad thermostat? Water pump seems to be working just fine.

I bought a 160 degree thermostat tonight. Does anyone think that might help?

Any other ideas? We had some really hot days last year over 100 for almost the whole month of July. I don't want to see what happens when it gets that hot again this year.