180* Thermostat Problem

[Kale]

I've replaced my stock Thermostat with a 180* Thermostat. My Water temp gauge is going dead- just keeps reading zero. It threw a code, I forget what it is. I've cleared all codes on my PCM. Do you think I have an air pocket in my coolant system now or what and if so how would I bleed out that air pocket?

[20Xtreme02]

Did you damage the wire to the water temperature sending unit during the install? Maybe you unplugged it and forgot to re-connect. That would fail to make the gauge work as well as give you the SES light and a code.

[Kale]

Nothing was damaged, no wires removed. I just believe that there is a large pocket of air in my coolant system unless otherwise told something else. If there is a way to bleed out the air pocket then please tell me.
It didn't trip the SES light it was just a pending code that mentioned something about a Coolant performance problem.

[imdawrlus]

maby the t stat is stuck open?

[mrmidnight]

no if the tstat is stuck open it would just flow, the temp would be the ambient temp of the coolant mixed with the temp of the outside, and then increase. BTW if you are worried about there being an air pocket, open the radiator (leave the engine off overnight) and run the engine for 10 minutes, that is enough time to heat up the engine and start flowing coolant.

[bvr775]

check your temp sensor.They get brittle and The top of the temp sensor will sometimes crack so no conection is made.
If you used teflon tape on the sensor it dosn't make good contact if any with the block. you may have lost a ground.

[rat]

What year is this truck? I think only the '96-'97 trucks had the temp sensor under the thermostat. My 2000 has the threaded bung, but it has a plug in it. I have never had air bubble problems whenever i have had my intake manifold off. I always just pour coolant into the rad untill it is full, then pour some in the overflow for a bit.

If you have a '96 up truck you could take he plug out under the thermostat to blead the system. Do it when the engine is cold though.

[Sparky2263]

The thermostat performance code is indicative of a t-stat stuck open or opening too soon. Computer knows it should warm up within a certain time frame and when it doesn't, it sets a performance code.

[mrmidnight]

ahh i did not know that, I guess you learn something new everyday

[Kale]

Maybe I was just being impatient or flat out stupid. The cooling overnight settled the entire coolant system. I was just worrying for no reason. Ran a computer scan today and the only code being tripped today is P0155, which relates to the O2 sensor in bank 2 sensor 1. Easy solution- just was being impatient.

BTW I was asked what year I owned it's a 2002 s-10 LS 4x4
sorry it takes me a while to get back to the comp.