Overheated or gauge problems?

Hi,

I'm going to drive home a 110 pickup (diesel, 1986) later this week. When I took it for a test drive last week I noticed that the temp gauge was in red after 15 min driving. I stoped the car went out to have a look but no (for me) clear signs of overheating. No heat wave when opening the hood, no smell of burnt oil and it didn't feel especially warm. I don't want to take the risk of overheating the engine but I also don't want to pay for getting it home on a trailer if it is only the temp gauge that is the problem.

Is there any good way I determine if the temp is ok or not without using the temp gauge in the car?

thanks

you could get a cheap infra red thermometer ,could for checking bearings etc as well ,or just feel hoses ,check top hoses gets hot proving thermostats opening ,check rad to ensure its hot all over it , tank is full and not of fresh water or rusty water can indicate issues

jamesmartin said:

you could get a cheap infra red thermometer ,could for checking bearings etc as well ,or just feel hoses ,check top hoses gets hot proving thermostats opening ,check rad to ensure its hot all over it , tank is full and not of fresh water or rusty water can indicate issues

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Ok, any specific engine part that is better to measure on than others? what range of temperature is acceptable?

Hang on..you test drove it, it went into the red and you bought it with no further investigation??

head ,thermostat housing ,if thermostat opens around 82 degrees not much more