Here's the story. 2000-E150... 4.1 V6.

195 thermostat was replaced back in October. Decided this afternoon to replace lower radiator hose because it was the original. Got it on with no leaks and replaced fluid with 2 1/2 gallons of 50/50 mix. Now the good part.

Ran engine with cap off and heater on for 20 minutes to release air in the system and it did just that. I'm watching my scan guage and the temp gets up to about 242 degrees before I add more water. Temp settles back down to about 212 degrees where this van usually runs. I noticed that the top hose will burn the heck out of your hand but the lower hose out of the radiator to the T fitting is only luke warm. The portion of the bottom hose from the T fitting to the block is hot.

Should the lower hose out of the radiator Not get as hot as the others after 20 minutes of idle???? Your thoughts? Thanks

 

Of course! Thats what a radiator does!

John

 

Then please explain why half of the bottom hose (out of the radiator) is luke warm and the other half (out of the water pump) is very hot? Maybe I didn't explain myself well in the first post.

 

Not knowing your 2000 4.1V6 I have to speak in generalities. Generally the top hose is the hot side the bottom hose is the cold side and should be significantly cooler (as the previous poster said, that's what the radiator does)...The water pump pumps coolant directly into the engines coolant jacket...Not through hoses. The "T fitting" you're talking about sounds like the oil cooler bypass, which forces cool coolant to the oil cooler on the block/filter plate, the coolant heats up as it pulls heat from the oil and comes back into the lower radiator hose where it mixes with the main cold side coolant flow into the water pump. The water pump outputs directly to the engine block. Heater core flow is taken off the manifold (hot side) and usually returns to the pump via a smaller (usually 5/8" or so) hose where it is pumped through the engine again. There should be some diagrams on the net or in your manual. This kind of thing is easier in pictures than in words.