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My 2003 Ford V10 excursion has 158,000 miles. Four years ago I put the 6.0L tranny cooler in place of the stock cooler. Before the switch, my temps would routinely run 190-205 in 90 degree weather. After the swap, it would run 165-170 towing in MN.
Last year I flushed the tranny fluid and replaced with synthetic. My coolant temps usually run 178-180 in the winter and 188-190 in the summer when towing. Sometimes i'm hitting 190 when I'm not towing.
About three weeks ago, I noticed my coolant temps were getting close to 200 and in some cases going as high as 202-205. My tranny fluid temp also starting hitting mid 170's and climbing into the 180's. Most of my towing trips were under 20 miles and we have had an unusual amount of 90+ days this year. However, my temps for some reason have climbed a bit this summer.
I have had the truck since it had 75,000 miles. I have not flushed the coolant since I have had the vehicle.
It’s worth looking at the cooling system and flushing, then see how your temps are. Fins are ok? The past 3 weeks your MN weather has been cooler or warmer?
It’s worth looking at the cooling system and flushing, then see how your temps are. Fins are ok? The past 3 weeks your MN weather has been cooler or warmer?
What Sean said, check the coolant level and make sure all the radiator and trans cooler fins are intact and straight and not clogged with bugs, dirt, debris........
Once that is all squared away it might just be (maybe past ) time to do a good cooling system flush and refill with a new Motorcraft thermostat. I have a coolant flush, refill and T-stat on my to-do list also.
202-205 is not bad on a hot day, but it still woudln't hurt to do a coolant flush and change the coolant, flushing the system every 3-4 years or 40,000 miles is a good practice.