2.3L ('02-'11) coolant temp 245

[tatermatt90]

My temp gauge is always right below the half mark. I connected my scan tool for unrelated reasons and noticed my coolant temp was actually high. Its averaging 245 to 250. I had no idea it was running hot. What the heck

 

[sheep herder]

Where is your scan tool reading the temp from?

 

[tatermatt90]

Where is your scan tool reading the temp from?

It says ect. I have it plugged into the obd 2 port

 

[tatermatt90]

Is it possible the sensor is telling the computer its hotter than it actually is ? Where can I shoot my infared thermometer to verify actual coolant temps ? If I check temps by pointing it at the radiator hose does that give an accurate reading ?

My engine doesnt seem hot when I open the hood. Coolant level is good too

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Check resistance of your ECT sensor when at operating temp and when shut off for 12 hours. Report back.

 

[tatermatt90]

Will do. In the mean time I got some temp readings. With truck idling scan tool shows 241 degrees.

Infared thermometer shows upper radiator hose 160 degrees. Metal pipe that upper radiator hose attaches to ontop of engine... 204 degrees, lower radiator hose is 111 degrees

Check resistance of your ECT sensor when at operating temp and when shut off for 12 hours. Report back.

 

[sheep herder]

Scan tool may not be accurate. I'd be inclined to temporarily hook up an aftermarket water temp gauge and see what it says.

 

[tatermatt90]

I forgot to mention sometimes I'll be driving and the temp gauge drops low and then comes back to middle

 

[RonD]

2.3l Duratec(2001-2011 Rangers) uses a CHT(cylinder head temp) sensor not an ECT(engine coolant temp) sensor

So 245-250degF is OK

Yes, 204deg on upper hose outlet is correct

Temp gauge on dash has 210deg as 1/2 way

 

[tatermatt90]

Awesome thanks! So its misleading for my scan tool to say ect in this case

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

2.3l Duratec(2001-2011 Rangers) uses a CHT(cylinder heat temp) sensor not an ECT(engine coolant temp) sensor

So 245-250degF is OK

Yes, 204deg on upper hose outlet is correct

Temp gauge on dash has 210deg as 1/2 way

......we're not friends anymore.

 

[RonD]

......we're not friends anymore.

I like Dodge cars, and I did own two Rangers with 2.9l's, that ran well

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

I like Dodge cars, and I did own two Rangers with 2.9l's, that ran well

Damnit you polite Canadian bastard, I guess were friends again.

I skipped over the year and assumed lima


See my signature for the disclosure....

 

[RonD]

Awesome thanks! So its misleading for my scan tool to say ect in this case

Yes, but its correct for 99.9% of the OBD2 cars/trucks out there, so not a big enough error to correct

And you may want to check your available list of sensors(PIDs) it may have the CHT sensor in the list
On some OBD2 readers you can enter a VIN or vehicle model and engine, and it will only show available sensors, like on a 4cyl you would only have 1 upstream O2 sensor, not 2 like on a V6 or V8 engine

 

[Dirtman]

Cylinder heads are part of the engine... so technically the scanner isn't wrong.