Hi,

I just spent the last 3 hours in the cold rain and ice trying to limp in to a dealer. I did a quick search but since I was so late for work, I don't have much spare time. Of course roadside assistance was no help since I was on a "Restricted Roadway" (Garden State Parkway).

I have an '05 CC 6.0 FX4 SB. 5700 miles or so. No problems up until this point. Changed the oil at 1500 miles and made sure it wasn't overfilled. Fuel mileage has been average of 15 mpg but fell off slightly recently (possibly due to a lot of snow and using 4X4). Don't know the build date and can't check it but it may be September 04. Truck is bone stock.

The truck started fine this morning and once it got up to operating temperature I drove away just like I do every morning. I had NO HEAT. So I looked at the engine temp gauge and it started creeping up, then pegged on hot. I shut it down and coasted into a rest area. No smoke, nothing leaking, coolant reservoir was full. The temperature gauge would seem to be ok at idle, but once I put a load on it, it would peg. The engine and radiator were both cool to touch, and there was no loss of power. I did hear what sounded like the fan making noise as it would if it got hot trying to move air. Again, everything was cool to the touch. I started it back up within 5 min, and the temp gauge was normal, then after a few minutes of driving would peg again.

Lastly, there was a big oil spot in the center of the hood where the oil filter is. I don't know if it related to the problem or not. I checked the oil filter and it is tight. Any help would be appreciated. It is at the dealer now. I have to idea what they are like with diesels, but it was my only local option and I know they sell a lot of trucks.

 

That souinds puzzling was the engine running alright other wise.? Sounds like something minor from what youve said. Maybe a coolant sensor gone bad or such. Ill bet theyll have it fixed in no time.

 

The engine ran and sounded fine, but I still had no heat. But I still didn't want to chance driving it if it really was running hot. I am thinking thermostat. That's what it acted like.

 

From the Dieselmann's page: Temperature Gauge Reads Hot, 05 F-Series:
Some trucks built before 12-10-04 may have a temp gauge reading at the top of the green normal band or into the red hot band, with normal coolant temperatures. If no overheat condition is present, the instrument cluster should be replaced. If there is a code in the engine computer for ECT over 240 degrees, or if coolant is being expelled from the degas bottle, do not replace the cluster. Diagnose the overheat condition.
TSB 05-1-2

My 05' is in the shop for the temp gauge reading hot. They are putting in a new cluster.

 

Thanks for the info! That means my truck is going to be a rattle trap after they get done with it. Great...

 

Update: Dealer called this morning and said it was the thermostat. The oil spot on the hood was caused by a problem with the filter cap. I guess I'll know when I get it back tomorrow.

 

Actually that's good...
hope no damage from the heat ! but sounds like you did the right thing...
I started to say it sounded like frozen section that stopped coolant from flowing...

(terrible to thnk with Ice and snow everywhere u could have an overheating problem - right ?)

 

The TSB Ford used to fix my truck was 05-1-02.