2.5 not warming up fast enough

[modelageek]

hope I am not boring anyone with another 2.3/2.5 engine not warming up enough, however I want to give this one more try before the winter comes. I have a good Motorcraft f8cz-8575-aa t-stat in the truck. The coolant is clean. there are no leaks. My clutch fan is on the way out so it seems pretty loose even after the truck is all warmed up. This morning when it was maybe 40 degree's out I could let the truck idle for an hour before the tstat would even open up. These engines just dont make much heat. I do add the cardboard in front of the radiator but that does no good anyways until the tstat opens up. there is a chance that I might have a lot more coolant then water in the system. here is my question would a mixture of to much coolant keep the engine from warming up?. there seems to be presure on the upper hose so I think my rad cap is ok but could I have a bad rad cap and not know it and would this keep the truck from warming up?....I would like any feedback or suggestions on how I can get my engine to warm up......

 

[cmikee]

I can tell you I don't think it's extra coolant that would do it. The only reason I know this is because my truck does the exact same thing and it's full of nothing but water. (for now).

I think if you are sure that the Tstat is not leaking then the only other thing you could try is to turn on the A/C pump but don't turn on the fan. It will heat it up a little faster because of the extra load.

 

[modelageek]

I can tell you I don't think it's extra coolant that would do it. The only reason I know this is because my truck does the exact same thing and it's full of nothing but water. (for now).

I think if you are sure that the Tstat is not leaking then the only other thing you could try is to turn on the A/C pump but don't turn on the fan. It will heat it up a little faster because of the extra load.

thanks for the feedback. I actually bought one of those cheap coolant testers and it says that I am only protected to +5 so I probably need to add a little more coolant. I did replace the tstat a few years back with the oem motorcraft and I don't think it is leaking. I think it might just be the nature of the enigne but I was looking for confirmation from others.........thanks again

*No A/C

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Go ahead a change the t-stat it sounds like it is stuck open or leaking past the rubber o-ring if it has it. At least pull it apart you will see if it is slightly open cold that is enough to cause your symptoms. Yea getting that time of year it is important as far as fuel economy also the quicker it comes up to temp the better.

 

[Warren 86 ranger]

you all know that water cools more effeciently than coolent right? and think about investing in a block heater thats what my buddy did thermostat opens in half the time

 

[v8318cid]

Make sure your heater core isn't stopped up either. I don't know if Ford moved the temp sensor in later years or not, but the early 90's 2.3s had the sensor in the heater line. If the heater core stops up, the temp sensor can give incorrect readings due to restricted coolant flow. As for running straight water, I'd strongly advise against it if possible. I've done this before on two different years with the 2.3. Both developed rust internally and disintegrated the thermostat housing/neck. Ended up with flakes of iron throughout the system and had to replace the heater core as well. Anti-freeze also provides better freeze protection when mixed properly (yeah, I know, obvious...). Ever tried to start your engine when its below freezing and there's nothing but water in the cooling system? Not fun...

 

[Bryan22]

the sensor in the heater core lines is for the computer, not the gauge cluster. The sender for the cluster has always been in the block. Also as warren said, water actually displaces heat much better than anti-freeze, so i don't see that being the problem. You should get an infrared temp gun and get a true reading at the t-stat housing to see what's really going on with the temps.

 

[modelageek]

thanks for the feedback. I think the heater core is OK. I have backflushed it and have changed the coolant, all maintance is done. this morning it was about 40F. I pulled the upper rad hose and started the truck. it took about over 10 minutes for the gauge to get to almost to it's spot( a little less than halfway beteween hot and cold). There was no coolant leaking past the tstat. I put the hose back on. the tstat had not opened. I think i could have let it idle for a while before it would open. I am running a motorcraft 190F tstat. I believe my gauges and everything is working fine. I can come to no other conclusion then these engines just don't create much heat. My clutch fan is even shot. i can put my hand on it while the engine is all warmed up and it easily stops. I guess i could look into a block heater but it might not be worth the hassle. I wonder if there is away to hold the idle up because I think that would warm the engine up.

also some of you were saying that water is a more efficient at cooling. I wonder if I ran straight coolant in the truck if that would make the engine run hotter. Does straight coolant screw anything else up.

 

[v8318cid]

Where at on the block (on a 92 anyway) is the temp sending unit? I've only ever seen the one in the line and assumed that was the only one. Might explain a few things...

 

[Bryan22]

the one for the gauge is on the drivers side of the block about 1/2 way up. probably easiest to see from under the truck. i think it's the middle one. one in the pan is oil level, then i THINK coolant temp sender, then on top is oil pressure sender. all pretty much directly in line with each other.