Correct coolant temperature.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2001
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Correct coolant temperature.
What is the correct coolant temperature for the F-150 5.0 with AOD? The previous owner just changed the thermostat and the temperature gauge when fully warmed only touches the 'N' in the word Normal. Should the truck run more towards the middle? The oil pressure also does about the same, though it is closer to the 'o' in normal. Thanks
regards,
Bryan
regards,
Bryan
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Correct coolant temperature.
I had to put a 195 deg. thermostat in mine to get the temp up to about the half way point on the gage. You wouldn't believe the diff. on the gage in going to the 195 from a 180, at least on mine. The engine must get to about normal for the sensors to give good info to the computer.....for everything to work properly- (not to mention your heater) '91 Lariat 5.0
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
Correct coolant temperature.
All kind of depends. Most gauges in our trucks are not accurate, they normally just give an indication of what's happening, like "too Cold"; "Cool"; "warm"; "Hot"; "Too Hot" etc. The best way to make sure things are correct is to check the shop manual or the owners manual to see what temp T'Stat you should have. Most parts stores will also have a chart to tell you. Assuming your cooling system is up to snuff, once you have the new T'Stat you can pretty much figure that whatever the gauge says during normal driving(best is smooth freeway) is about the correct point on the gauge to see. I have heard that the Oil pressure sensor on most of our trucks is just an idiot light, ie you have pressure or you don't.
On MY 94 F250 460, my gauge usually sits at the O or R during normal driving. While towing in hot weather(100+) it will rise to maybe the M. I have never seen it go out of the normal range.
My Oil pressure gauge does vary some so I suspect it is better than an idiot light but I have no idea of what the true psi is. All I know is that with a 5W30 synthetic, it runs about in the middle to lower middle of the normal range.
Running with a cold T'Stat like a lot of people do when they want performance, is usually not good for the engine over the long run. You get sludging of the oil, gumming up of the intake and exhaust, potential damage to the catalytic, poor gas mileage, smog, yadda yadda, and besides it can be mighty cold. Most engines are designed to work best at a particular temp, go with what the factory recommends unless you have a good reason not to.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
On MY 94 F250 460, my gauge usually sits at the O or R during normal driving. While towing in hot weather(100+) it will rise to maybe the M. I have never seen it go out of the normal range.
My Oil pressure gauge does vary some so I suspect it is better than an idiot light but I have no idea of what the true psi is. All I know is that with a 5W30 synthetic, it runs about in the middle to lower middle of the normal range.
Running with a cold T'Stat like a lot of people do when they want performance, is usually not good for the engine over the long run. You get sludging of the oil, gumming up of the intake and exhaust, potential damage to the catalytic, poor gas mileage, smog, yadda yadda, and besides it can be mighty cold. Most engines are designed to work best at a particular temp, go with what the factory recommends unless you have a good reason not to.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
