Rearanger
Active Member
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2008
- Messages
- 1,429
- Reaction score
- 23
- Points
- 38
- Location
- Southeast USA
- Vehicle Year
- 2003
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Transmission
- Manual
My gas mileage has dropped to it's worst level since I've tracked the truck from new. Four consecutive tanks yielded about 18 mpg when nothing else changed. I've had 18 mpg before but only for one tank then went back to 19, 20, 21's.
I started to investigate my engine temp. I purchased an "Ultra-Gauge", similar to "Scan-Gauge" in that I can pull out OBDII engine info on a screen.
I set it for engine coolant temp and got about 180 - 184F with a 195 stat. I didn't know if bad ECT or stat. Purchased a new ECT and installed, temp readings went to 172 - 174F. More accurate ECT?
I tested the old (original) ECT with accurate water heater, a resistance meter, and thermometer. The readings were out of spec (higher) even giving the +- 15% allowance from the manual. Lower ohms = leaner mixture.
Today I purchased a new (premium?) stat and installed. Test drive gave temp readings of 180 - 184F, an increase with the new ECT of 10 degrees.
FSM states stat should start to open 187.7 - 197.7F and fully open from 206.6 - 222.8F
Can anyone give some insight into if my temps are normal or low? Should I be seeing closer to 195F as a steady driving temp?
I'll keep track of mpg to see if, what seems to be extra 10 degrees, will give better mpg.
Thanks for any help.
I started to investigate my engine temp. I purchased an "Ultra-Gauge", similar to "Scan-Gauge" in that I can pull out OBDII engine info on a screen.
I set it for engine coolant temp and got about 180 - 184F with a 195 stat. I didn't know if bad ECT or stat. Purchased a new ECT and installed, temp readings went to 172 - 174F. More accurate ECT?
I tested the old (original) ECT with accurate water heater, a resistance meter, and thermometer. The readings were out of spec (higher) even giving the +- 15% allowance from the manual. Lower ohms = leaner mixture.
Today I purchased a new (premium?) stat and installed. Test drive gave temp readings of 180 - 184F, an increase with the new ECT of 10 degrees.
FSM states stat should start to open 187.7 - 197.7F and fully open from 206.6 - 222.8F
Can anyone give some insight into if my temps are normal or low? Should I be seeing closer to 195F as a steady driving temp?
I'll keep track of mpg to see if, what seems to be extra 10 degrees, will give better mpg.
Thanks for any help.