I took my truck into the dealer because the engine is not getting up to temp, the highest it will go is 184 and then it drops down to 170 something and back up. Service writer called to say engine temp is normal. I explained to him the temperature fluctuations, the max temp it was getting up to and he asked me what I thought normal operating temperature is and I said 195

Am I incorrect?

ETA: Dealer called to say the truck got up to 184 and that's within spec. The dealer is also refusing to replace the warped rubber mounding around the rear sliding window, said Ford will not cover it. Maybe our Ford rep can chime in?

 

Those are about the temps I see with mine during the colder winter months. You have a huge cooling system on your truck, and without a load on it, it will be tough to get it up to higher temps.

 

I'm no expert, but today its 6 degrees (F) above zero...cruising the back roads with 7k lbs. in tow I'm seeing 171 for engine temps. I'm calling it normal because its cold and my t-stat has 81k miles on it. I wouldn't worry.

 

Ford rep on here is just a go-between to customer service, they have no technical knowledge or direct contact with any tech support.
I never pay any attention to coolant temps as I travel so long as they are not going high, but I surely would have thought the coolant temp should be getting up to the opening point of the t-stat, which is 190+ as far as I know.
I do not know what Ford says the correct operating temp is for these trucks.
What ambient temps are you running in where you are?

 

From 6F to 40'ish. If the dealer refuses to replace the thermostat I will just take care of that myself but I am more concerned about the Warped rubber molding around the rear sliding window

 

At those temps mine is usually around 179*F... In the summer it's usually around 190*F cruising flat and 219*F small hills empty...

 

And this is why auto makers put "dummy" gauges in their vehicles . . . . .

 

My truck threw a CEL about this weeks ago while driving to TN. Problem is I cleared the dtc's while using forscan.

 

Wonder why manufacturers would put dummie guages on these vehicles. Everyone thinks it should be something other than specs once they see "real" numbers and not know what specs are taking up an appointment from someone that might actually need a repair.

 

Well, I don't know that I would go so extreme as to replace that t-stat, think I would watch it for a while unless it is causing you some other issue.
As to the rubber gasket on the window, is it outside the 3/36 warranty or something?

 

Might be a good life lesson. Nothing would change. Coolant temp fluctuates. Oil pressure fluctuates. Lots of variables; temperature, RPM, load, . . . . .

 

Info on the truck would be helpful.

FWIW - my truck seems to take FOREVER to warm up when it is cold outside. However, once it does completely warm up, it runs between 198°F and 202°F pretty much regardless the time of year. Like I said, when it is cold it takes much longer to get there but it does indeed get there. Lots of BTUs are required to raise the temperature of that much liquid from low temps to 200°F.

 

On my older diesels trucks, 1995 & 2006, I would place a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator, behind the grill, to increase the engine temp in cold weather. You may try this to see if it changes anything. If the temp gauge doesn’t show any higher temp I would think either the gauge is faulty or thermostat is stuck open.

Good luck,

Mike

 

Nope. Dealer said it is deformed due to the window opening and closing.

 

Cant get in there without removing plastic covers or the grill