6.9 temperature questions...
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
6.9 temperature questions...
I have an 84 F250 with the 6.9 IDI, the truck has just over 119k on it. I bought the truck for snow plowing this winter and over all I am very happy with it. Upon prepping this truck for snow plowing I installed a triple guage console (oil pressure, water temp, and volts) because the factory guages didn't seem to work right. My first question is what is the normal operating temperature for the 6.9? Mine usually runs around 190 degrees F. The next question I have is what would cause a conciderable rise and fall in engine coolant temperature? If I am driving down the road and step down on the go pedal the temp guage shoots up to almost 210... is this normal? I can't understand why this would happen so quickly, sometimes the temp will rise and fall for no reason if I am cruising at a normal speed. When I have the snow plow on I try to keep it low and angled to one side to allow for air flow through the radiator. This seems to help somewhat, but not completely. Anyone have any ideas?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: McFarland, WI
My temp gauge runs between 180 and 190 deg. Thats just driving around town and the occational highway. How much is considerable? I dont see anything over 190 but optimal running temp is somewhere around 203 deg. I wish mine ran a little hotter. What is your temp range once your warmed up?
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
Well, at this time of year I usually run between 180 and roughly around 205 degrees F. What is driving me nuts is the rise and fall of the engine temp as I drive. I am guessing maybe the thermostat is malfunctioning?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
First run the blade straight across, you can run it lower in that position.
It will still cause an air dam that can affect cooling a higher speeds.
The air that normally flows through the radiator is deflected over the hood because of the plow.
210 is well inside the normal range, 235 is still normal.
At 210 the thermostat is probably just opening for full flow, then the temp is dropping fast.
You may also have the fan clutch locking since the normal air flow has changed.
Also are you getting snow and ice buildup on the front of the radiator?
That can become an issue while plowing a light powder snow, it blows across the top of the plow and cakes the front of the radiator blocking air flow.
It will still cause an air dam that can affect cooling a higher speeds.
The air that normally flows through the radiator is deflected over the hood because of the plow.
210 is well inside the normal range, 235 is still normal.
At 210 the thermostat is probably just opening for full flow, then the temp is dropping fast.
You may also have the fan clutch locking since the normal air flow has changed.
Also are you getting snow and ice buildup on the front of the radiator?
That can become an issue while plowing a light powder snow, it blows across the top of the plow and cakes the front of the radiator blocking air flow.
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
So basically what you're saying is a lot of my temp differences are because of the plow? I usually try to run my blade low, allow air to flow straight into the radiator. If I am going faster I try to angle it to allow more of an "air grabber" effect. 235deg. F. is in operating range? I guess I am still used to my gassers. I don't have any snow build up or blockage on the radiator. I do have a headgasket starting to leak a little bit (rear of PS head) I added some pepper to the radiator to hopefully stop or slow it down. I plan on tearing it down and repairing it correctly after plowing season is done. I just don't have the coin to shell out for the parts yet. I was looking at the ARP head studs... are these a worthwhile investment?
