Notices
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

Max oil temps while towing

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 21, 2016 | 12:03 AM
  #1  
Randy777's Avatar
Randy777
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
From: Boulder City, Nevada
Max oil temps while towing

I know this question has been asked before but I can't find the answer. Last year while towing my fifth wheel to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon my oil temp went to 260 degrees several times. The outside temps were 95 degrees at the start and it is a long steep climb with a heavy load. Each time I pulled over for a bit, as I couldn't remember at what temp that plastic thing inside the oil filter melted. Each time it cooled off fairly quickly but it really stressed me out. So how hot can the oil get. I am using Rotella T-6 and my temp different is only 12-15 unloaded. Could I allow 280 for 15 minutes or so? Thanks for your help. This time I will write the answer down.
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2016 | 12:12 AM
  #2  
white Buffalo's Avatar
white Buffalo
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,426
Likes: 6
From: Sioux Falls, SD
Here is a great link to a thread in the Tech Folder that lists temp readings

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...-pressure.html


.....for the EOT - Engine begins to defuel at 253 *F oil temp per the PC/ED manual.

So , 260 would be high and 280 is not good. Have you ever had the oil cooler replaced or perhaps consider one of the BulletProof external oil coolers?

How much weight are you towing?
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2016 | 12:57 AM
  #3  
87crewdually's Avatar
87crewdually
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,496
Likes: 94
From: So. Jersey
Sorry but if I'm hitting 240+ I'm backing off. Pulling 8% grade @ 21,000lbs. GCVW it may be around 226-230°f depending on how many miles it is at 90° ambient.
280 degrees? Forget it.
OP, what are your coolant Temps when your oil was 260-280? You may have a clogged oil cooler or the bypass is stuck open bypassing the cooler. What's your GCVW?
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2016 | 01:27 AM
  #4  
FiveOJester's Avatar
FiveOJester
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 295
From: Fresno, CA
Yikes, I would definitely be worried at those temps! I would be backing off before hitting fuel cutoff at 253, probably 240.

Worst I've ever seen pulling a long grade is around 235 with a ECT of 220-225. Temp spread is 7-10F unloaded on the hwy.
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2016 | 01:35 AM
  #5  
87crewdually's Avatar
87crewdually
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,496
Likes: 94
From: So. Jersey
Originally Posted by FiveOJester
Yikes, I would definitely be worried at those temps! I would be backing off before hitting fuel cutoff at 253, probably 240.

Worst I've ever seen pulling a long grade is around 235 with a ECT of 220-225. Temp spread is 7-10F unloaded on the hwy.
Looks like you and I are on the same page.
If I ever saw Temps like he is seeing I'd have to pull over anyways to throw up.
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2016 | 06:57 AM
  #6  
white Buffalo's Avatar
white Buffalo
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,426
Likes: 6
From: Sioux Falls, SD
I should have asked about your fan, do you hear the fan kick into high gear at 220+ temps?

What are you using to monitor your temps?
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2016 | 08:44 AM
  #7  
Randy777's Avatar
Randy777
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
From: Boulder City, Nevada
The oil cooler was replaced about 45,000 miles ago. This is the worst climb I have done. High outside temps, 17,600 pound total load (truck and trailer), and 8 percent grade in some parts. I believe it is about 9000 feet at the end. It is also a long climb of over an hour. I will just pull over a little more if I do this one again.
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2016 | 08:45 AM
  #8  
Randy777's Avatar
Randy777
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
From: Boulder City, Nevada
Forgot to mention I have the scan gauge and mechanical gauges and the fan ran great.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

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

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-5

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-9

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Apr 21, 2016 | 08:55 AM
  #9  
white Buffalo's Avatar
white Buffalo
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,426
Likes: 6
From: Sioux Falls, SD
Just out of curiosity Randy777,

Do you see a difference in oil temps between the Scan Gauge II reaading and the Isspro Oil temps (as well as the coolant temps)? I see about a 10 degree difference in oil temps on my 7.3L between my ISSPRO gauge & OBD II reader. The sensors are in different locations on my setup. Don't mean to compare apples to oranges, just curious if you have a separate oil temp sensor for the ISSPRO gauge.
 
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2016 | 10:58 PM
  #10  
Randy777's Avatar
Randy777
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
From: Boulder City, Nevada
Sorry about the slow reply White Buffalo but as to your question. Yes I have quite a difference between my Scan Gauge reading and my Isspro gauge reading. When cold my Isspro sensor which is in the side of my oil pan reads about 2 degrees high (pretty close). But when towing with a heavy load in a climb the Isspro reads up to 15 degrees higher. I assume this means the oil in the pan is hotter due to cooling the hot piston sides? Or maybe the oil at the scan gauge sensor has been cooled by the oil cooler??? The water temp sensors don't seem to have that much of a difference hot or cold.
 
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2016 | 11:26 PM
  #11  
white Buffalo's Avatar
white Buffalo
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,426
Likes: 6
From: Sioux Falls, SD
I'm not sure on the reason for the difference on the 6.0L. But I experienced the same on my 7.3L. My oil temps read about 10 degrees different from the sensor on top of the engine to the ISSPRO sending unit by the oil filter. Just a different location in the oil path. Noticed the same thing on the trans temp sensor in the test port compared to the internal OEM trans temp sensor as well.

Which means:

If your ISSPRO gauge is reading 260, the OEM sensor that the scan gauge is reading is approx 245. So not as high of a temp as you thought - still high and needs to be addressed, just not as bad as 260.
 
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2016 | 08:19 PM
  #12  
FiveOJester's Avatar
FiveOJester
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 295
From: Fresno, CA
Originally Posted by Randy777
Sorry about the slow reply White Buffalo but as to your question. Yes I have quite a difference between my Scan Gauge reading and my Isspro gauge reading. When cold my Isspro sensor which is in the side of my oil pan reads about 2 degrees high (pretty close). But when towing with a heavy load in a climb the Isspro reads up to 15 degrees higher. I assume this means the oil in the pan is hotter due to cooling the hot piston sides? Or maybe the oil at the scan gauge sensor has been cooled by the oil cooler??? The water temp sensors don't seem to have that much of a difference hot or cold.
Oil gets picked up by the LP pump and pumped thru the oil cooler & filter then to the motor. It then absorbs heat from the motor, turbo, HPOP, etc and then drains back to the pan. Hottest oil will be in the pan. The factory sensor is downstream of the oil cooler, hence the lower temp than what you're seeing in the pan.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
05 f250 6 inch lift
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
9
Jul 18, 2019 10:32 PM
LiftedBlackHD
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
6
Feb 7, 2015 11:20 AM
Bonanza35
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
10
Sep 15, 2014 04:25 PM
farmer duke
6.7L Power Stroke Diesel
14
Sep 26, 2012 03:09 PM
blkdiesel
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
7
Aug 13, 2009 03:49 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:51 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic 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 | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
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-2
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
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE