Now you've gone and done it.

You're screwed now.

 

So you have NO IDEA what temp your coolant is. Like Bugs Bunny says, “what ya don’t know can’t hurt ya.” Great for cartoons, reality, not so much.

 

ECT

 

I know, by looking at the pointer, since I've verified accuracy of the gauge. Bottom/Center/Top>>1/2 = 202°-208°.

 

Now you are talkin. Correcto mundo!

 

You keep stating 3/4 is NORMAL in turn will cause premature wear on the engine!
I also posted this pic just for you, to note RED white BLUE, if the gauge pointer gets above the red(+210°), DIAGNOSE ASAP! Btw, ambient temp affects temp, yet never enough to go above:

Normal Operating Temp> 195°-210°

 

I believe you’re probably accurate, but if that’s the case and a needle width over the middle line is borderline getting too hot, then GM failed in designing the H3 gauge. Also why does the Hummer gauge have such a narrow temp range on a gauge with allot more movement and the factory over heating line is at the very top? I’d guess the engine would be on fire or seized at that point.

And this is a great reason to have a real on board gauge that shows you real temp numbers. I’d love to know why they never offered or put a better gauge package in the H3?

Here is what my older Silverado water temp gauge shows. It runs normally around 210. BTW my H3 has the 5.3 as does the Silverado, so that’s another reason to wonder why the gauge movement on the H3 is so slight?




And yes that oil pressure is close to accurate. I have a high volume oil pump in this truck.

 

I don't need numbers on my gauge!
Your oil pressure is way too high!

 

Good to hear you don’t need numbers on your water temp. But I’d bet the masses wished they had numbers. And the fact you don’t like or need numbers does not explain why GM would not put numbers and why the over heating limit is a needles with over half way. What’s the factory red marks for? What’s the rest of the gauge for?

As far as my oil pressure on the Silverado. I too thought it was high and worried my gauge was messed, or there was something wrong. I took it back to my engine builder, and he smiled and said; I figured you would ask about that. It’s all good as it’s a Melling high volume & pressure pump & pick up.

I got 300K of out my Silverado 5.3 and it was still running fine, but I decided it was time. So we pulled it and they did a full rebuild and did all the tricks they have learned over the years on these LS based engines. No more GM piston slap or crappy GM lifters & lifter tick. No more oil consumption.

Before I did the engine, I did the trans. It too was almost 300K. I gave it the same treatment as the engine. Huge improvements in the valve body. Smooth when normal driving, but firm when accelerating or in Tow Haul mode, and does not have that back & forth shifting crap when going up a grade. Trans temp is noticeably cooler too.

If anyone’s in the San Diego area and needs a referral for either an engine builder
/ machine shop or Transmission shop just send me a PM.

 

All GM temp gauges are around 210° @1/2. You can still drive at 3/4 and H, yet the higher temps will cause premature wear to the engine! If you destroy the engine driving hot, you don't have a factory warranty that expired many years ago. I have no intention buying a new engine, so I keep my coolant temp within normal operating temperature>>>> 1/2 on the gauge!