2.3L ('02-'11) 254 degree CHT?

[alwaysFlOoReD]

this is from a 2005 manual. there may be some minor differences with a 2002.
Rock auto does list several 208 thermostats. I would prefer 192-195 range, but that's just me.View attachment 145030

I see 160-200 listed under ect. I don't see 208 listed anywhere on that page. Is ect the term for thermostat?

Edit: just realized the 208 is a rockauto item.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I see 160-200 listed under ect. I don't see 208 listed anywhere on that page. Is ect the term for thermostat?

Edit: just realized the 208 is a rockauto item.

Engine
Coolant
Temperature

Remove your thermostat, put it in a pot of water and heat to boiling. Observe with a thermometer and make sure it does in fact open when it is supposed to.

Then reinstall thermostat making sure it is oriented the right direction. Refill coolant and make sure you don't have any air pockets in the engine.

 

[hannah2001]

heres some temperatures i got with my IR gun. This is after i drove it home from work about 15 minutes so it was nice and hot. I just pointed it at everything i could reach

upper radiator hose - 188
Lower radiator hose - 148
valve cover towards front of engine - 200
valve cover towards rear behind ignition coil - 250
coolant return hose into reservoir - 198
metal coolant line going into back of head - 244
heater hoses - 240
front cover - 220
cylinder head near injectors - 204
block - 182
hose on top of thermostat going into block (?)- 194
smaller hose next to lower radiator hose (attached to thermostat) - 200

 

[hannah2001]

Personally I've never seen one over 195. Have a link to the thermostat you used?
I think a typical opening temperature would be 180°

 

[hannah2001]

Since i created this post I did put a brand new motorcraft fan clutch on it thinking that was the problem but it was not. At this point everything in the cooling system is new except for the water pump, but you can see water pump circulating back into the reservoir, no bearing noises or leaks.

I'm also wondering if the forscan is even accurate? I have a 7.3 powerstroke and i know there is an option to read ECT on them but its known within the community that its way way off. Shows like 260+ ECT and its really around 200

The main thing concerning me is the smell. I dont know how to explain it besides overheating metal. Nothing dripping on the exhaust either

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

You uh... didn't use anything like Barrs stop leak or radiator hole fix, did you?

 

[hannah2001]

You uh... didn't use anything like Barrs stop leak or radiator hole fix, did you?

No i'm a firm disbeliever in stop leak haha

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

No i'm a firm disbeliever in stop leak haha

Well. It can work.

It can also plug coolant passages solid and cause uh... bad stuff.

 

[hannah2001]

Well. It can work.

It can also plug coolant passages solid and cause uh... bad stuff.

Well I will say this. I have never used stop leak on any engine I own but this is a used 150k mile engine. No telling what the previous owners used on it but it sounds good and when i pulled the thermostat it was very very clean inside not a speck of rust or anything concerning and you can see the water pump is circulating

 

[hannah2001]

Are any of these temperatures from the IR gun concerning? Does anyone here have forscan and a 2.3 that can see what their temperatures read?

 

[lowspeedpursuit]

"Coolant line to back of head 244" isn't my favourite thing I've read today.

 

[hannah2001]

i'm at a loss of what to do literally everything on the cooling system is new except for the water pump. Honestly might just change it for the hell of it. Motorcraft water pump on rockauto is like $50 . I hate throwing parts at stuff but idk what to do at this point

 

[lowspeedpursuit]

Combustion leak test? If nothing, start taking shit apart and seeing where it's clogged.

 

[cbxer55]

The 180 thermostat on my 98 V-6 got stuck open. Stock was 195, been running a 180 for many years. Currently running a 160. Doesn't seem to hurt a thing.

As far as gauge accuracy, mine seems fairly accurate. Normal needle position for stock thermostat is dead center on the gauge. With the stock 195, mine ran there. With a 180, it sat about one third of the way up. With a 160, it reads between the two lines at gauge bottom. When my thermostat was stuck, it would almost go to the top. Never quite made it there though. Just got about 3/4 of the way up, then stopped. Fuel gauge obviously is accurate, though I never go below half tank. Battery voltage is accurate on mine. Several times, I watched it drop from mid gauge and start sinking. Soon after, I needed a new battery. Every single time.

Fuel gauge. 17 gallon tank IIRC. So at half tank, it should take 8.5 gallons. Filled it Tuesday, took 8.75. Pretty damn accurate.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

You say you see good flow, so the following may not apply. I had an overheating problem on my truck. Fixed everything except the pump. Turned out the impeller had come loose from the shaft and was just friction spinning. So at idle it was fine but put a load on and overheat.
This probably happened because the engine froze without antifreeze and I tried to start it.