97 12v questions
 

Ok first let me say I am a newbie to the diesel world. I just inharited a 96 Dodge Ram 3500 Turbo diesel, 5 speed manual trans dually and I am in love with this truck. I do have a few questions though. I have noticed my fuel gauge starts to jump around when I hit 3/4 of a tank also I am seeing my engine temp hit 190 then drop back down to 140. I do have coolant in the radiator and in my reserve. Any ideas about the 2 problems? This truck is all stock. it has 324,00 miles and runs great. only work I have done to it was change the air/fuel filter and replace the belt.

Sending unit could be an issue but the temp flucuation is normal. Have fun with the truck and theres lotsa reading in your near future! Have more questions ask away

How hard would that be to replace it?

Dodge PUs are notorious for fuel gauge problems usually caused by "topping off" the fuel. What I hear is overfilling the tank will bend some sort of arm on the sending unit giving incorrect readings. Mine has been doing this for years; I just keep track of mileage on the trip meter and fill at 400 miles. This will vary depending on what you are hauling; I was pulling a trailer and ran out earlier than 400 miles, this was no fun!

I have not replaced the sending unit on this truck, but I have on a Suburban and it takes patience and three hands.:w2:

seems like temp gauge bouncing is a common issue with these trucks

If you're doing the sending unit easiest way is to pull the bed off.:c: