Bad T-stat?
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
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Bad T-stat?
I'm wondering if I have a bad thermostat in my Ex. I've got an '05 4x4 PSD. I have my dashhawk plugged in until I get my Insight and was watching temps. It was 5 degrees outside today and after 25 miles I only saw it hit 174, but normally on the highway it was 170. It came up to 170 within about 5 miles since I had it plugged in, but never went higher. I was towing about 1000lbs total, but the back of the trailer has a 5ft steel mesh ramp so it is a sail. Not working the truck hard, but at 70 mph I'm sure it was adding a bit of work. City streets saw the temp at a steady 150.(both before and after the 20+ miles on the highway) Is that normal? I know covering the radiator helps, but it seems like the T-stat might be bad to me.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Midwest
sounds like it to me. when i bought mine in january it basically did the same thing. mine was low on coolant (still not sure why, does not leak now) but even with full coolant it would not hit 190. I replaced the t-stat and now it runs right up to 190 and sits there. Clearly mine was stuck open. the heat is great now, which at 10 is welcome. I had a night drive at -10 for a couple hours and it kept the cabin toasty warm the whole time.
Let me know if you need the procedure for replacement. And make sure the one you buy has the o-ring with it.
Let me know if you need the procedure for replacement. And make sure the one you buy has the o-ring with it.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
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Rodger that, coolant will be flushed shortly. Waiting for it to warm up a bit and I need to have enough time to replace the oil cooler if it clogs up with crud when I flush the system. I already have a coolant filter waiting to go in and I'll probably replace the thermostat when I flush the system since I'll have it out anyway. I just got back home and it was reading -5 for an exterior temp, that is even getting a little chilly for MN.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,885
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From: Chino, California
When I got mine flushed, my mechanic was going to put in Dexcool or something like that. I told him to just use the regular green ethylene glycol coolant due to the horror stories I've read about coolants gelling. No Dr. Scholl's if you know what I mean.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
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From: Central Coast of CA
The best coolant for a L99 and up diesel rig is a heavy duty Extended Life Coolant.
You can read about ELC's here in this thread I created for the 7.3L forum. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ml#post8935201
Stewart
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
The best coolant is a true OAT Heavy Duty ELC.
See the link in my above post for more ELC information.
Stewart
