Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

203* T stat?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 16, 2012 | 08:16 AM
  #16  
JT250's Avatar
JT250
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 31
From: OKC, OK
Originally Posted by CSIPSD
If you can wait, I'll give you mine.

Love 99% of what Bob sells, however that is one piece that does not belong on a pickup.
Would have taken you up on that but I already ordered. Want to be ready when the water pump bites it.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2012 | 08:35 AM
  #17  
SuperDoodie's Avatar
SuperDoodie
Elder User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 860
Likes: 2
From: Liberty Lake, WA
Cancel your order.

You do realize that while this t-stat raises your coolant temps, its also going to raise your engine oil temps. You have a little sensor on your truck called an EOT sensor (Engine Oil Temp). EOT's are tied into the PCM and will affect a number of things to include fueling. This will throw off all your fuel tables. I've seen oil temps as high as 250* with one of these T-stats.

I agree with Joe, Bob makes and sells alot of great products.. This isn't one of them.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2012 | 09:17 AM
  #18  
ScaldedDog's Avatar
ScaldedDog
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 158
From: Sedalia, CO
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by SuperDoodie
Cancel your order.

I've seen oil temps as high as 250* with one of these T-stats.
That's what Jody saw in a live tuning session when I had that T-stat, so I took it out.

Mark
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2012 | 09:22 AM
  #19  
ToMang07's Avatar
ToMang07
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,832
Likes: 668
From: Maine
Originally Posted by SuperDoodie
Cancel your order.

You do realize that while this t-stat raises your coolant temps, its also going to raise your engine oil temps. You have a little sensor on your truck called an EOT sensor (Engine Oil Temp). EOT's are tied into the PCM and will affect a number of things to include fueling. This will throw off all your fuel tables. I've seen oil temps as high as 250* with one of these T-stats.

I agree with Joe, Bob makes and sells alot of great products.. This isn't one of them.

Yeah, only 20* hotter than OEM. Really NOT a big deal. If you saw 250* temps.... something else was wrong. I have run my truck HARD and never saw close to those temps. Both Towing and a series of WOT runs. I don't think it ever got above 220*.

And make all the claims you want... it works great for plenty of people. In my experience, IF it effected fuel economy, it was positively, my temps are fine, and the truck DOES run better, especially in the cold.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2012 | 10:09 AM
  #20  
JT250's Avatar
JT250
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 31
From: OKC, OK
I guess since there are varying opinions. I will run it for a year or until I see something I don't like then report back what I find.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2012 | 04:50 PM
  #21  
SuperDoodie's Avatar
SuperDoodie
Elder User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 860
Likes: 2
From: Liberty Lake, WA
Originally Posted by ToMang07
Yeah, only 20* hotter than OEM. Really NOT a big deal. If you saw 250* temps.... something else was wrong. I have run my truck HARD and never saw close to those temps. Both Towing and a series of WOT runs. I don't think it ever got above 220*.

And make all the claims you want... it works great for plenty of people. In my experience, IF it effected fuel economy, it was positively, my temps are fine, and the truck DOES run better, especially in the cold.
I would agree that something else was wrong when we saw 250* temps, until pulling in the shop and putting a stock one back on the same day and have the temps drop down to 197* .. The only thing we changed was a T-stat.

I'm not making any "claims", I've been around these trucks along time. I just reporting factual data that I have personally seen. I think if the hotter the better theory works, why not go to a 210* t-stat?
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2012 | 04:59 PM
  #22  
ToMang07's Avatar
ToMang07
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,832
Likes: 668
From: Maine
Originally Posted by SuperDoodie
I would agree that something else was wrong when we saw 250* temps, until pulling in the shop and putting a stock one back on the same day and have the temps drop down to 197* .. The only thing we changed was a T-stat.

I'm not making any "claims", I've been around these trucks along time. I just reporting factual data that I have personally seen. I think if the hotter the better theory works, why not go to a 210* t-stat?
Well... because those people who foolishly designed the engine and used a 203* TS for starters...
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2012 | 05:58 PM
  #23  
CSIPSD's Avatar
CSIPSD
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,993
Likes: 2
From: Bend, OR
Originally Posted by ToMang07
Well... because those people who foolishly designed the engine and used a 203* TS for starters...
They also designed the motor to run at 225hp...

Not the 300+ most of us run at the rear wheels.

195* is mobetta...
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Apr 16, 2012 | 06:13 PM
  #24  
A/Ox4's Avatar
A/Ox4
9 ECHO 1
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by CSIPSD
They also designed the motor to run at 225hp...

Not the 300+ most of us run at the rear wheels.

195* is mobetta...
Besides, the T444E runs at a much lower HP rating level even if both the 7.3 and the T444E are stock.. So when we start boosting our numbers it doesnt help much
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2012 | 07:49 PM
  #25  
clux's Avatar
clux
Post Fiend
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 10,600
Likes: 3
From: Carhenge
Ahhhhhh, the same silly arguments.

Remember, 203* is the temperature that the thermostat is fully open. So once your coolant gets above 203*, the thermostat is irrelevant.

The cooling system should dissipate the same BTU's regardless of base temperature. A properly functioning cooling system can either handle the heat the engine is generating or it can't. If you have ever broken a fan belt under load, you know that a 8* difference in reserve cooling capacity is meaningless. It's all about capacity to remove BTU's.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2012 | 09:03 PM
  #26  
Shake-N-Bake's Avatar
Shake-N-Bake
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 27
From: Mesa AZ
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by clux
Ahhhhhh, the same silly arguments.

Remember, 203* is the temperature that the thermostat is fully open. So once your coolant gets above 203*, the thermostat is irrelevant.

The cooling system should dissipate the same BTU's regardless of base temperature. A properly functioning cooling system can either handle the heat the engine is generating or it can't. If you have ever broken a fan belt under load, you know that a 8* difference in reserve cooling capacity is meaningless. It's all about capacity to remove BTU's.
Interesting info. I always thought the temp rating is when the thermostat begins to open.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2012 | 11:18 PM
  #27  
Chipworkz's Avatar
Chipworkz
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Shake-N-Bake
Interesting info. I always thought the temp rating is when the thermostat begins to open.
Here is the link I posted in post #8. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...nd-answer.html

I may have got a defective unit and my testing method my not be very scientific, but I won't be putting one in my truck. Side by side the stock unit worked perfectly and the 203* unit didn't even open an 1/8 of an inch in boiling water.

The last picture in that thread was after the water was boiling for about 10 minutes. I turned down the flame just to take the picture. As you can see in the picture, the 203* unit barely even opened.
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2012 | 07:52 AM
  #28  
clux's Avatar
clux
Post Fiend
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 10,600
Likes: 3
From: Carhenge
Originally Posted by Chipworkz
Here is the link I posted in post #8. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...nd-answer.html

I may have got a defective unit
For some reason your pictures wont completely load for me but I'd say you are correct, you got a bad thermostat.

I think you used good methods assuming you had a thermometer in the water, you should always check a new thermostat by this method for proper function before you put it in.
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2012 | 09:00 AM
  #29  
Chipworkz's Avatar
Chipworkz
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
I used a digital cooking thermometer to get the temps and the factory unit opened right at 195* according to the thermometer. My biggest issue was seeing the two units side by side and the 203 barely even opening.

I think it is a good idea to always check a new thermostat before putting into the vehicle. Imagine if I would have installed the 203 in my truck and it was never really opening? With only the factory engine coolant gauge that doesn't tell you much, and expecting the new 203 should make it run hotter, it could have run pretty hot before realizing there was a problem.

I am curious if anyone else has put one in a pot of boiling water to see how much theirs opens.
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2012 | 09:11 AM
  #30  
clux's Avatar
clux
Post Fiend
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 10,600
Likes: 3
From: Carhenge
Originally Posted by Chipworkz
I used a digital cooking thermometer to get the temps and the factory unit opened right at 195* according to the thermometer. My biggest issue was seeing the two units side by side and the 203 barely even opening.

I think it is a good idea to always check a new thermostat before putting into the vehicle. Imagine if I would have installed the 203 in my truck and it was never really opening? With only the factory engine coolant gauge that doesn't tell you much, and expecting the new 203 should make it run hotter, it could have run pretty hot before realizing there was a problem.

I am curious if anyone else has put one in a pot of boiling water to see how much theirs opens.
I checked mine, used my infrared thermometer. It was wide open at 203*.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:32 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE