Running Hot?

[Buggyman]

I just dropped a 2000 3.0 v6 flex fuel motor into my 98' Ranger, swapped the sensors and fuel injectors from my 98' 3.0 and its running great, plenty of power, no misses and the check engine light came on for an insufficient EGR valve after driving for 100 miles on the new motor, basically, I am very pleased with it all.

I am noticing that it seems to run hotter then my 98 3.0 did. The temp indicator stays where it always has, but the floor boards feel hotter. After a 45 min drive, I noticed that the radiator sounded like it might have been boiling, but it was subtle and hard to hear. I honestly cannot remember how hot my older motor ran since its been nearly 9 months since I drove it last and today I was wearing flip flops and might have noticed the heat more. Radiator coolent has stayed consistent with the motor cool and running and warmed up.

My two concerns were that the motor might be running lean from changing the fuel injectors or it might be an issue with the thermostat. Any thoughts? If it was running lean, would it not throw a code after 100 miles of driving?

Thanks!

Philip

 

[Big Jim M]

The first thing a pilot learns is to TRUST his gauges! It's a pity drivers aren't taught the same.. If it ain't puking out it's coolant it ain't too hot! If your gauge goes to cold overnight and goes to near the middle when up to temp..YOU ARE GOOD!
Seat of the pants feelings rarely tell one anything at all.
Big JIm

 

[JP02XLT]

Is the motor from a RWD vehicle? If not the cooling passages on the headgaskets are different from a FWD to RWD, A FWD motor in a RWD setup will run hoter. Could have been some trapped air in the system making its way out once you got it up to temp, as long as the reservoir is full cold you should be fine. Since your using your old injectors, & ecu there is very little chance it is running lean, The EGR code could cause it to run in open loop on the ECU & not use the feedback from the O2's. Keep an eye on the coolant, temp & oil pressure as you drive. Also does it have new antifreeze in it, Newer motor with less miles will put off a little more heat due to the lack of wear, usually nothing to be conerned about.

JP02XLT

 

[Earl43P]

The stock gage isn't very accurate.
Mine reads virtually the same whether it's 190 or 205. It typically stays right around 193-195, but if I come to a stop after some highway speed, it'll climb up into the mid-200's (still <210) and the gage still reads the same. I can blip the throttle a few times to get coolant moving faster and watch the ScangageII drop 8 or 10 degrees and that stock gage doesn't budge.

I'd give it a good romping one late evening and jump out and look at the cats with it still running. If they aren't glowing red, I wouldn't worry about it. Maybe you tweaked the exhaust piping so it's sitting closer to the body when you replaced the engine? I would suggest an exhaust leak heating up the cab, but you'd hear that.

I'd give it at least a full tank of gas. That way you can figure your MPG too.