just changed the coolant.... again. what should the temperature gauge read on a 1997 chevy blazer? It start out at 100, the middle line represents 210, and ends at 260. 8 lines in between each reading. right now its reading 3 1/2 lines above the 100 mark, almost in between 100 and 210. I know the truck is supposed to run at 195 degrees, so shouldn't the gauge be just under the 210 mark? I have no other way of determining the engine temp except for the gauge. but if this info helps, I cant grasp the top radiator hose for more then 5 seconds without it burning kinda.

 

With a 195* thermostat, you should be seeing gauge readings either right at 210 or just below that. Factory gauges are horribly inaccurate so if it is close to the 210 mark, then you are probably good.

Did you try swapping out the thermostat? As I stated in your other thread on this subject, the thermostat is what regulates the temperature of the coolant in the motor. Antifreeze concentration, if high, would reduce the thermal capacity of the coolant which if the radiator could not pull out enough of the heat, could cause a high temp situation.

 

I run a good hi-flow 160 stat, with a good autometer gauge it reads 180 when hot. Sounds like you are running a lil hot if its burning you, try running a 180 stat. a 180 is the highest i ever run in any rig anyways

 

You have to be careful running a lower than stock thermostat on the OBD2 trucks... This can cause a check engine light. 180 would be the lowest you can go with OBD2 and even that can be too low for the newer trucks (98+).

180*F is hot enough to burn you. You are asking a lot of your hand to be able to tell the difference between 180*F and 210*F...