Should I be concerned with ECT/EOT temps around 222* when towing my 8,000# travel trailer up moderate grades? I also smelled coolant and thought I was venting; but I verified degas cap on tight and the cap's sticker was still intact; so not sure the source of the smell, but it was definitely coolant.

I checked the coolant quality when I got home. It tested for 260* to -20* F. I just bought the X a week ago and intend to flush the coolant system and install a coolant filter, but haven't done it yet.

I towed my TT for the first time in my 2005 Excursion (6.0L PSD, stock heads) today and noted the above maximum temps on my ScanGauge II when going up moderate grades. I define "moderate grade" as when the transmission upshifts (I was pulling in Tow Mode). The RPMs increased to around 2500 at speeds of 60-65 mph. Ambient temp around 75*.

Prior to the upshift, ECT was around 200-202* then rose the longer the X was at the higher RPMs. I heard the whirring oil cooler fan kick on. EOT temps tracked with the ECT (up and down).

Trans temps stayed a comfortable 165* the entire trip. I just had the tranny flushed and external filter changed this past week at the stealership.

On as separate note , I need to work on my weight distribution set-up as I was nose high and felt it. I was dancing down the freeway. I think it has to do with the X's suspension as I had the WD hitch fairly taugt. I do have the stock anti-sway bar on my X, but have been reading about the V/B spring upgrades as well as RAS (do both?).

Thanks for the feedback.

 

Highlighted statement makes no sense at all. Search eot/ect deltas. Climbing, cresting and descending deltas mean zilch. Back to your highlighted statement, one temp. does'nt constitute a delta.

 

I tow 14,500 # 5th wheel full time. I am heading east from Calif. and regularly see 220 ECT with EOT at 233 with fan at 2900 RPM. Currently have 109K on truck.

 

I tested the ECT/EOT delta when not towing after around 20 minutes of driving and the delta is within 15* in that scenario (more like <10*), so I'm relatively confident my oil cooler is OK.

My question is about the absolute temps while towing. The ECT/EOT were never exactly the same, of course, but climbed precipitously under a towing load. ECT maxed around 222*. EOT maxed around the same temp, maybe a degree or two higher and fell again when ECT came down.

Are these max temps symptomatic of cooling issues? Or is that "normal?" Is the fact that the ECT climbed from 200* on level grade to a max of around 222* under a load up a "moderate" grade of any concern?

If not venting coolant (at least no evidence from the degas cap), then what is the likely source of the coolant smell while under a load?

Clear as mud? Thanks.

 

i didnt know there was a oil cooler fan???

hmmm.........yeh i have to agree. one temp aint a delta. maybe it was a typo. lol.

sometimes i get a kind of moment. lmao!

i'm sure the rest of the scangauge experts will chime in later. for now, ur stuck wif 69cj. hahahahaha. no offense!

dont mind me. i'm learning bout the scangauge too. tee-hee-hee.

 

Don't know if I can help with the coolant smell. But I can help with your WDH set up. Send me a PM. Eric

 

as far as i know, tat fan tat u hear whirring like crazy is the radiator fan. to the best of my knowledge. i could be wrong, and tats why the cool cats on here will gently correct me. i'm ready for my spanking now! YEAH!

 

to the OP, i dont think some of the senior guys appreciate tat tone on the "steal**ship". some of the guys on here who will be helping u out and are great guys btw, they happen to work for ford dealerships. they're a great bunch of guys and they've helped all of us mere mortals wif even the darndest situations.

just go easy on tat, pal. everybody's here to help u out.

 

benny, where are u? lol. ur needed on here for a scangauge II question. yoo-hoo! lmao!

 

222* oil temp is fine. As long as your within the 15* delta, or even if you go above it for a short time youre fine. Sounds like whe the ect came down so did the eot, which indicates to me all is good.I also dont think 222 ect is to high. As long as the fan came on and cooled it down id say youre fine. As for the smell if its not puking out the degas bottle all you can do is look for leaks. Try a pressure test and see what you can find.

 

No offense intended to the techs. Most of the tips I read are from these guys. Just reacting that my local dealer wanted double in price for same parts that I got from Tousley Ford...

yes, meant radiator fan...had oil cooler on the brain.

From the feedback thus far, it sounds like the absolute temps I'm getting are Ok. Maybe source of the smell is a slight coolant leak that only appears at higher temps?? I'll have to do some more looking. Thanks all.

 

I want to say it was Tim (nccpartsman) that posted some time ago that EOT isn't a huge concern when towing until you get up to 245F-250F...that's when the plastic will start to melt. Since you had a 4 ton barn tied on the back...and your delta between the EOT & ECT stayed with 10 degrees of each other most of the time....your oil cooler is fine, and the thermostat is doing it's job. Seems like I read that the thermostat doesn't open all the way until you get about 220F....but it's been awhile. By the way, your ECT will move faster than the EOT...but that's normal.

And I'll second the comment about not calling the dealership's "stealerships". There are several guys on here that work for the dealerships, and give their time & knowledge for free. I used to despise mine...especially in their sales folks & their BS tactics. I still dislike the sales department; but their parts, service and body shops are good guys to work with. Maybe they're just happy to have the business, I don't know. I just know that when I've asked for something...they've taken care of me & the truck several times.Take the price Tousley is listing to your local dealership's part department and see if they'll meet it. That's what mine does and I don't have to pay for shipping and I know I've got the right part in hand because the parts guy & I look at it on the exploded view.Check a radiator or heater hose. They use clamps that could leak under pressure. There should be a white residue where ever the leak is.

 

Agree. Noted to all on incendiary name-calling.

Will do. Thanks.

 

JEEZ!

I don't know why I didn't remember this! I recently replaced my Thermostat. I was having 10 fits trying to get the spring loaded clamps to seat properly. I was losing coolant near the clamps. AND one of them was at the top of the radiator. Hidden so I could not see where the fluid was coming from!

Yes! Could be as simple as that! Check the clamps. I have changed a couple out with Stainless steel Screw type clamps. They have done very well.

 

I had to go to a worm gear clamp at the t-stat to get the hose to seal.