97 Ram running hot

[gliderider06]

Morning all!
I have an all stock 97 Ram 1500 with a 5.2. 173,000 miles and the dude runs in the 205* range all the time. I have tried to get it cooler, but still runs hot to me.
First,I have replaced the thermostat with a 180*. Second, a new heavy duty thermal fan clutch and water pump with no change. Lastly, the hoses and the radiator with not much of a change. Maybe 15* cooler. All this within the last 200 miles.
The only thing else I can think of is timing, but the radiator support says not adjustable-computer controlled.
Any thoughts or should I put a picture over the gauge?
Thanks!

 

[Syleng1]

A lot of those trucks ran hotter to help with emissions. Maybe a truck forum would be a better place to ask.
Are you sure your gauge or sending unit is not failing (calibration is off?)
Syleng1

 

[RustyRatRod]

That's not running hot. Have you verified the temp with an IR gun before spending a WAD of cash?

 

[A56]

Morning all!
I have an all stock 97 Ram 1500 with a 5.2. 173,000 miles and the dude runs in the 205* range all the time. I have tried to get it cooler, but still runs hot to me.
First,I have replaced the thermostat with a 180*. Second, a new heavy duty thermal fan clutch and water pump with no change. Lastly, the hoses and the radiator with not much of a change. Maybe 15* cooler. All this within the last 200 miles.
The only thing else I can think of is timing, but the radiator support says not adjustable-computer controlled.
Any thoughts or should I put a picture over the gauge?
Thanks!

dude?

 

[A56]

That's not running hot. Have you verified the temp with an IR gun before spending a WAD of cash?

Too late.

 

[Oldmanmopar]

Here is what happened to me yesterday. My wife and I were going for wheels. The temp gauge on my gas ram always would run on half. We had pretty far to go yet so I stopped at a turkey hill to fill up. About 4 or 5 miles from filling it seamed sluggish on a hill. I thought being hot out it was the long climb.

Started going down a long grade and the temp stayed at 3/4, Came to a stop light and I didn't see and steam or smell coolant. I pulled into a gas station mini mart and shut it off. No steam. left it cool down it was hot out so we got drinks ate sandwiches.

Never restarted. We were 60 miles from home. My son came with the trailer. Loaded it up took it home and put it on the lift. Hit the tank with a mallet and it started . checked the fuel pressure It was low. Bad pump, He believes the over heat was caused by a weak pump . It was running lean. Installing a pump today. We'll see if he is right.

 

[gliderider06]

Well,

A lot of those trucks ran hotter to help with emissions. Maybe a truck forum would be a better place to ask.
Are you sure your gauge or sending unit is not failing (calibration is off?)
Syleng1

I thought that as well.
im used to my Ramcharger staying at 170-180* all the time. To me, it seems higher than I like. Sitting in beach traffic it will creep up to 230*. Once I get moving it will drop back down.
Just thought I would ask.
Thank you.

 

[gliderider06]

That's not running hot. Have you verified the temp with an IR gun before spending a WAD of cash?

No, but the clutch was really loose so it needed to be changed anyway and I had a pump on the shelf so it got changed while I was there. The radiator had a small seep at the bottom and it needed to be changed anyway and new hoses while I was there. It's going to be my son's truck so I don't mind putting a few hundred dollars into it.
Thanks!

 

[Professor Fate]

Stock is a 195* t-stat, so 205* running temp. is perfectly acceptable.
I wouldn't mess with the t-stat temp too much- the sensors are expecting to see certain temps, if you change it too much it can throw off the ECM's programming and bring up other issues...