Engine Temp While Towing
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2004
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Engine Temp While Towing
I towed my 5th wheel for the first time over the weekend in my '05 F350 DRW 4x4 with 4.10 gears.
On long or steep grades the engine temp would get hot, the fan would cycle on to cool it off and the temp would drop. This would happen on and off on long grades or near the top of a steep grade.
Anyone else notice this? I've heard of the fan cycling on and off in '04s but there was not a temperature change indicated on the gauge. I'm wondering if this might just be a gauge issue as I had no loss of power, or coolant leak or anything like that.
The truck towed great otherwise.
On long or steep grades the engine temp would get hot, the fan would cycle on to cool it off and the temp would drop. This would happen on and off on long grades or near the top of a steep grade.
Anyone else notice this? I've heard of the fan cycling on and off in '04s but there was not a temperature change indicated on the gauge. I'm wondering if this might just be a gauge issue as I had no loss of power, or coolant leak or anything like that.
The truck towed great otherwise.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,203
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From: Carlsbad, California
By gauge change, how much change are you seeing?
It is rare to see any movement of the needle on my '03 on the engine or tranny gauge. I do have an outboard tranny gauge and I see movement on that - between say 165 to 200 deg F and the gauge in the dash doesn't budge.
I'd rather see some movement that honestly reflects the changes in temps that the vehicle is seeing. Maybe the '05 has fixed this shortcoming and has changed the gauge to be more reactive to changes.
It is rare to see any movement of the needle on my '03 on the engine or tranny gauge. I do have an outboard tranny gauge and I see movement on that - between say 165 to 200 deg F and the gauge in the dash doesn't budge.
I'd rather see some movement that honestly reflects the changes in temps that the vehicle is seeing. Maybe the '05 has fixed this shortcoming and has changed the gauge to be more reactive to changes.
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It's a pretty major change. On flat land the gauge is basically right in the middle. Steep grades it hits the top line before the red line. The fan starts up at about 3/4 high and really starts making noice when it pegs. Temp drops to 1/2 again. That's basically the cycle I'm seeing up a hill.
The trans temp doesn't budge.
The trans temp doesn't budge.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,203
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From: Carlsbad, California
That doesn't sound right. Even if they did change the gauge sensitivity I would not expect it to move so high.
Have you checked the coolant bottle to see if it has been venting? This was a common problem with many folks. The bottle wanted to overflow if filled to the top fill line, but was generally not a problem if between low and midway.
If your radiator cap isn't holding pressure then I'd expect that you might be overheating. There have been a few guys who reported that.
Have you checked the coolant bottle to see if it has been venting? This was a common problem with many folks. The bottle wanted to overflow if filled to the top fill line, but was generally not a problem if between low and midway.
If your radiator cap isn't holding pressure then I'd expect that you might be overheating. There have been a few guys who reported that.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
Likes: 4
If it is filled to the brim...
wonder if it's been filled with water or the "special" coolant required by ford.....
just a heads up, you might check that while you're at it...
wonder if it's been filled with water or the "special" coolant required by ford.....
just a heads up, you might check that while you're at it...
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