I'm stumped as to what's going on with my truck. A few days ago, I got an oil change and they were like, "Bro. You need to seriously add some coolant and get a flush before it explodes."

I was like, "Yeah, you right. I'll try to work into a struggling graduate student budget."

So, I did. Well, I planned and budgeted for it. It definitely needs coolant, as I'm pretty sure all of it is in the radiator at this point. (I barely drive 7000 miles a year, by the way, so this was a long time coming, and me being concerned with other responsibilities caused me to neglect such an important part of maintenance. Please don't judge!) By all that is Good and Holy (knock on wood), He hasn't failed me yet. However, my temperature gauge drops to 100 randomly and then works its way back up to the midpoint. So, without coolant, wouldn't it get hotter and make the gauge go towards 240? I'm not sure what's going on or what to check for. I'll be adding some much-needed DexCool (as much as I can afford at the moment) tomorrow morning ASAP. But, I'm pretty sure the gauge will be going down when it's supposed to be going up?

I can't seem to find anything about this online. Any help would be greatly appreciated or being pointed in the right direction.

Also, concerning recent events since that last episode with my temperature gauge. My truck got broken into, they stole the air filter (for some reason left the detached air compressor though in the back though). I think they may have messed up the tubing to the air filter container and maybe took some components? Can anyone tell from these derelict pics?

Sorry if this should be two posts. But I'm in dire need of guidance. Please forgive the helpless.



This is what my air filter compartment looked like when I popped the hood.

 

when the coolant is low...it develops air pockets...the temp sensor reading will fluctuate when it is reading air vs coolant.

air filter box; go to pick and pull and get the missing parts. get a filter on it pronto...driving it without; you will create a oil burning engine.
at ;east they didn't steal the battery

 

Thank you for the help. I really appreciate it. I did get a filter hoping that hose would stretch far enough, but my hopes weren't enough. I'm assuming a filter just sitting in there does no good either, but at least that's one step done! I also topped off the coolant, but it was still bobbing up and down, but not as badly before. Needs a good flush though, which is next after I get my air filter connected.

Any recommendations on where to find good schematics for these models? Had some good ones for a bimmer I had awhile, but haven't really needed to use one since.

Again, thanks for the help. And thank goodness for pick and pull being my literal neighbor!

 

Take the radiator cap off, start it up and let it run until the thermostat opens, it should clear out any air trapped in the cooling system, you',ll see the air pockets blowing out through the radiator cap once it's blown some out and settled down, switch engine off, top it up and stick the cap back on, and take it for a test run.



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Your mass air flow sensor is missing/stolen. That and the part of the hose that connects to the air box. Pick and pull time.

 

dang pretty bad neighborhood when they take your MAF sensor. around here at a bar you have to worry about someone taking your tailgate.

what i do sometimes is try to pump the upper rad hose when the engine is running. if theres any air there it should be pushed out.