Operating Temperature 2017 3.5 Ecoboost
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2022
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Operating Temperature 2017 3.5 Ecoboost
I have a 2017 F-150 - 3.5 Ecoboost - 85K mi - that I use to tow a car trailer. Ever since the cam phaser repair at about I have noticed that periodically I will see temperature numbers appear above the temp gauge - usually only on highway driving and usually when going up a hill. I recently got a OBD reader that connects to my phone and monitored the engine temp on a trip from S.C. to Connecticut. Daytime temps in the low 90's - running about 72-75 on cruise control - nothing in tow - two people in the truck - maybe 200 lbs in the bed - I was running steady water temps of about 217-220 - into the low 230's on hills. This seems high to me - I am wondering if anyone else has had this experience with the truck running this hot ?
My other concern is that I am supposed to tow the car trailer with a car in it (probably total of about 7000 lbs) from CT to Nashville TN in a few weeks. The weather will be just as hot or worst - I will certainly go slower - but I am worried about how hot it will run under those conditions. I have read the post about the new thermostat so I will probably try that - just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience or other thoughts? If a Ford engineer reviews this post - I would be very interested in your assessment of these operating temperatures
Thanks
My other concern is that I am supposed to tow the car trailer with a car in it (probably total of about 7000 lbs) from CT to Nashville TN in a few weeks. The weather will be just as hot or worst - I will certainly go slower - but I am worried about how hot it will run under those conditions. I have read the post about the new thermostat so I will probably try that - just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience or other thoughts? If a Ford engineer reviews this post - I would be very interested in your assessment of these operating temperatures
Thanks
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,889
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From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
With 85K miles, it's been around the block a few times. Has this just started, or has it been this way since (more or less) new? Is it possible that someone topped off the coolant with the wrong "flavor"? Mixing coolant types has caused grief to more than one happy F150 owner, so that is at least worth mentioning. We have had zero cooling issues on our 2015, but it's the original design and with fewer miles than yours.
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2022
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I didn't start seeing the numeric temperatures until after the cam phaser repair which was about a year ago at about 70,000 miles. I am wondering if there was a software update that they did at that time that initiated the numeric readouts ?? The anti-freeze got changed by the dealer last year when they did the cam phaser repair last year - nobody has touched it since.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,052
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The first time I saw the numeric readout on mine was a couple of weeks ago.
It was 109f and we were on a long medium uphill grade.
The numbers popped up at around 230f and went away around 225f.
As far as I know, the numeric will not display only comes up when the temperature is above 230f.
I do not know what is considered too hot.
It was 109f and we were on a long medium uphill grade.
The numbers popped up at around 230f and went away around 225f.
As far as I know, the numeric will not display only comes up when the temperature is above 230f.
I do not know what is considered too hot.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2016
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My 17 started showing the numbers a while back. I think it was around the time I had my first cam phaser software update as well.
I am around 93k miles now. I just had my radiator, thermostat, thermostat housing, overflow tank cap, and water pump changed due to an accident. It seems to have fixed it...so there is hope! Sorry I can't narrow down the single winning part in all that, it all had to be replaced after the front got smushed in a bit.
I am around 93k miles now. I just had my radiator, thermostat, thermostat housing, overflow tank cap, and water pump changed due to an accident. It seems to have fixed it...so there is hope! Sorry I can't narrow down the single winning part in all that, it all had to be replaced after the front got smushed in a bit.
More Turbo
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 670
Likes: 13
From: Nampa, ID
The thermostat is where you want to focus first. It is a common issue for these trucks to run hot after having the cam phasers done. Ford is aware of it and has updated the thermostat design, as a result. The old design is prone to sticking, especially after having the engine worked on. I have witnessed multiple people have the same issue and resolve it with a new t-stat.
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1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2023
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This exact same thing happened to me, on my 2017 F-150, 3.5L Ecoboost, 65,000 miles. I had the phasers repaired, and started periodically seeing the temperature getting over 230F. It was always going up a specific hill on my way home. It's a good sized hill, but it's never given me any problems in the past, unless I'm pulling my travel trailer, in which case I just have to watch my speed.
After seeing brandonrr's response in this thread, I convinced the dealership to replace the thermostat, and it's been back to normal ever since. I appreciate the post, and the comments, as it's a big relief to know that it's running well again.
After seeing brandonrr's response in this thread, I convinced the dealership to replace the thermostat, and it's been back to normal ever since. I appreciate the post, and the comments, as it's a big relief to know that it's running well again.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 57
Coming back to this.
My truck started to show the numbers more frequently and under conditions I was sure it shouldn't.
I replaced the thermostat because it was a cheap, easy and logical first step.
It has solved the problem so far.
My truck started to show the numbers more frequently and under conditions I was sure it shouldn't.
I replaced the thermostat because it was a cheap, easy and logical first step.
It has solved the problem so far.
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