6.4 Average Running Temp

[scoutpappa]

So new to Power Wagons but coming from another Ram previously. In Houston at sea level and looking at the analog gauge staying right below the half way mark. Digital readout swings anywhere from 206* to 219* while driving and idling. Oil is steady at 222*. I have older vehicles and am used to big blocks but even researching a few forums I'm not getting a consistent value on normal temps for this engine. Less than 1500 miles so she's still tight and I expect higher temps for a while but 219* is definitely above the 206* to 212* I expect to see in a modern block. My Scouts run 190* and even stuffing a 392 into one I can still keep it under 212*. Any consensus on what is normal? She's bigger and has more going on so if it is 212* to 219* so be it.

[NickTF]

203-210 pretty common for me and i'm running around on 37" tires. In my experience the temps will drop during higher throttle/higher rpm presumably because the electronic thermostat opens more allowing more coolant flow for higher load. Not uncommon for my temps to go all the way down to 188 then swing back up in the 203-210 area after higher loads. Oil temps usually 215-219. When pulling the boat (~7000-7500lbs) coolant temps are similar but oil temps are in 222ish range. I drive on totally flat land at sea level which makes a difference.

[Gtop]

My 2017 doesn't hold a steady temperature either. Anywhere from 200 to 212 most of the time

[olyelr]

Yep, 13k miles on mine and it has always stayed over 200. Going by memory, the trans temp is usually always around 175-178.

And welcome to the PWR

[TwinStick]

Mine is a 5.7L & has the stock thermostat in it. I have never had an overheating problem yet. I have towed at max weight of 10,500 lbs for 8 yrs with it, including some long steep hills. No issues. I cant tell the exact temp because there is no numbers on my gauge. The hottest it has ever run was the width of the needle, past the halfway mark. They are designed to run hotter than 10-20 yrs ago. I suspect that if a lower temp thermostat is installed, it will/can cause a multitude of other problems, including eventually plugging up your cats or ruining them with all the unburnt fuel, that will finish burning in the cats. Then there is the o2 sensors & muffler as well. Don't forget the check engine light as well. A lower temp thermostat will cause the computer to think it is not warmed up yet & it will try to compensate by more fuel. I just replaced my cat pipe.........$1580.00 just for the part & another $350 for the install (dealer wanted $600 for the install.) Just some things to think about if you are planning on doing that.

[scoutpappa]

Appreciate the feedback. I actually dislike the discrete outputs because they swing so far and so fast I know logically it's an air bubble hitting the element that gives me the wild feedback. Analog gauges cannot adjust fast enough to show the 1/4 or less second changes a digital gauge can show. I'll assume that if something was way out the safety/shutdown cascade would start to save the engine. No modifications for me. I have the Mopar lifetime powertrain warranty so she stays stock. That's why I bought the PW in the first place. No need to modify a standard 2500 to get close to what I have now.

[JFordBronco]

I usually run 210(ish) give or take a few degrees up or down. Engine oil is always up over 200, I think in the 220s, don't remember where transmission is.

[JFordBronco]

Here is mine from today, just running around town.

[TwinStick]

JFordBronco,

What does your oil pressure go up to when driving & not idling ?

[scoutpappa]

Yours looks just like mine. About 55 psi when running 70 ish. So old school knowledge 20-30 psi at idle and 60-70 psi at 1000 rpm +. These are hot numbers

[JFordBronco]

JFordBronco,

What does your oil pressure go up to when driving & not idling ?

upper 40's, to low 50's. When its first started in the morning or after work, it is 55.

[OffroadTreks]

About the same here, these Hemi engines remind me of the LT4 engine I had, always running hot. But not too hot. Compared to when I towed with the 1500 however, this engine doesn't ever really climb in temps or overheat. The 1500 would stay around 192 but it would climb to scary numbers if an incline was involved and it was hot outside.

This truck doesn't.

[agpilot]

On many modern vehicles the computer tries to get the temp above 212* for the purpose of evaporating any water that may have made its way into the oil.

[RustyPW]

On many modern vehicles the computer tries to get the temp above 212* for the purpose of evaporating any water that may have made its way into the oil.

It's all about emissions. They want the combustion temp up high to lower the NOX. If the combustion temp is too low. The NOX emission is high. To control the combustion temp. They use water temp.