crowmeyocks
Registered User
I have a Bantam short bus (basically a ‘91 E350) that I got at auction a year ago. Worked thru tons of problems but with it warming up this old glitch is starting to worry me. First off forgive my noobness, not only am I a mechanic-by-necessity, I’m a total dope when it comes to electronics. I just don’t get it and they even act weird around me ha. So layman terms would be appreciated here.
So here’s the issue: since I got this rig the factory gauges have been (of course) nonsensical and worrying. Although my temp gauge tended to ride in the middle most times, I noticed it would tell me I’m overheating going up hill sometimes, so I’d pull off and wait for it to drop (no rule there—often at idle is when it climbs into the red and I get mixed results with giving it gas, turning it off, and waiting it out—engine temp light never has come on by the way, only flashes when starting). Anyhow I thought I had a coolant system issue until I noticed that my oil pressure AND gas gauge would also climb whenever the temp gauge did. So against my better judgement I tried to see what would happen if I just waited it out, an lo and behold I never have seen signs of actual overheating and the gauges level out all together after a bit. It runs totally level without a hiccup as far as I can tell no matter what my readings.
Lately the temp gauge has been riding around the M or A on regular highway drives tho, and I’m generally getting the sense that my paranoia is going to fail me some day when I need it most.
So what do all these gauges have in common that would cause them to rise all at once?
Before I go doing a coolant flush and a thermostat job and buying a bunch of sensors aftermarket or stock I’d like to know what the common denominator is here so I can attempt to get at least mildly sensible readings without dropping a mint on an aftermarket set up (which I know is the best solution, but I just really can’t afford to do coolant system work AND a dash overhaul at the moment).
General coolant system and dash sensor troubleshooting links / rules of thumb (especially for thermostat operation) would be much appreciated.
Truly forgive my ignorance, this is my first diesel and I’m just learning as I go. It’s also kind of my life line. If it breaks down I’m dead in the water. Any help is appreciated!
So here’s the issue: since I got this rig the factory gauges have been (of course) nonsensical and worrying. Although my temp gauge tended to ride in the middle most times, I noticed it would tell me I’m overheating going up hill sometimes, so I’d pull off and wait for it to drop (no rule there—often at idle is when it climbs into the red and I get mixed results with giving it gas, turning it off, and waiting it out—engine temp light never has come on by the way, only flashes when starting). Anyhow I thought I had a coolant system issue until I noticed that my oil pressure AND gas gauge would also climb whenever the temp gauge did. So against my better judgement I tried to see what would happen if I just waited it out, an lo and behold I never have seen signs of actual overheating and the gauges level out all together after a bit. It runs totally level without a hiccup as far as I can tell no matter what my readings.
Lately the temp gauge has been riding around the M or A on regular highway drives tho, and I’m generally getting the sense that my paranoia is going to fail me some day when I need it most.
So what do all these gauges have in common that would cause them to rise all at once?
Before I go doing a coolant flush and a thermostat job and buying a bunch of sensors aftermarket or stock I’d like to know what the common denominator is here so I can attempt to get at least mildly sensible readings without dropping a mint on an aftermarket set up (which I know is the best solution, but I just really can’t afford to do coolant system work AND a dash overhaul at the moment).
General coolant system and dash sensor troubleshooting links / rules of thumb (especially for thermostat operation) would be much appreciated.
Truly forgive my ignorance, this is my first diesel and I’m just learning as I go. It’s also kind of my life line. If it breaks down I’m dead in the water. Any help is appreciated!