Temp guage says hot but engine seems OK

Tiny
EFRAIN108
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1992 Chevy Suburban (350, 2 wheel drive, auto) with 135000 miles. Cooling system sprung a leak. I replaced the thermostat housing, gasket, new theremostat, new radiator cap. I flushed system, added new 50% coolant. I replaced temp sending unit. Temp guage fluctuates. Goes up high, but I check the engine and it does not feel hot. No steam. I can actually put my hand on intake manifold. Top hose is hot but normal. Could it be the water pump or radiator? This wasn't doing this before springing a leak and my doing all this work.
Monday, November 6th, 2006 AT 12:38 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
BUELLXB9RFB
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Replace the engine temp sensor. Should fix your proble. Located on the block. Alot of time when they spring a leak if not shut down soon enough it can mess up the engin temp sensor
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Monday, November 6th, 2006 AT 6:26 PM
Tiny
EFRAIN108
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Thanks. I replaced the sensor (the last thing I did) but problem persists.
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Tuesday, November 7th, 2006 AT 10:04 AM
Tiny
BUELLXB9RFB
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Try undoing your battery for 30 sec. Sometimes the gauges can get stuck.
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Tuesday, November 7th, 2006 AT 9:19 PM
Tiny
EFRAIN108
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I haven't tested with a voltmeter. I can do that. The guage starts normal, then goes to hot, stays there a while, then comes back to normal for a while, then hot again, etc. I've noticed that if I stop and turn the engine off when the guage is very hot, then turn it back on, the guage goes back to normal. I have also noticed smoke when accelerating after being stopped at a light.

I'll also try disconnecting the battery. Heck, I'll even dance around the truck a few times if it'll help. (Jk) Thanks.
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Wednesday, November 8th, 2006 AT 1:47 PM
Tiny
BUELLXB9RFB
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What color is the smoke that your seeing. And does it have a rough idle at all?
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Wednesday, November 8th, 2006 AT 5:43 PM
Tiny
EFRAIN108
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The smoke looks blue-ish, although I have only looked at it through the outside mirror and the mirror may be tinting it. The idle is very smooth.

Lately, the temp guage now goes from cool to hot, from one extreme to the other, and stays at hot. If I turn the engine off and back on a few seconds later, it goes back to normal (mid range).

I appreciate your staying with me on this.
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Thursday, November 9th, 2006 AT 12:16 PM

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