FordCPA

The day I got my truck, sitting in traffic on the way home, mid 60's outside...i get a warning that 'reduced engine power' cause it was overheating. Checked the coolant and it was fine. Hasn't done it since then. 1,200 miles later today, i'm sitting in trafic again, low 70's outside, and i get the same warning. Look down and my temp gauge is pegged out to HOT! I pull over and shut'er down. Pop the hood and engine coolant is full. Let it sit for maybe 2 minutes and turn the key so the gauges come on and it's back to normal temp. So, i get on some side roads to get the air flowing and its seems fine now. What gives???

I previously had a 01 SuperCrew that could sit at idle with the air blowing full power for hours on end and never once overheat. But this new 08 one has me mad as heck. How am I going to survive in Florida on days when it's 95 degrees out.

I'm planning on taking it to the dealer on 4/16. I'm a CPA and that's the soonest i can get a free moment. Anyone else hving issues with overheating on the newer 5.4's?

jrb03

This is definitely not normal. I have an 08 5.4 Screw and no problems. I live in S. Texas, 80s and 90s here lately. I would get it to the dealer ASAP before something gets damaged. Good luck.

iluvmyford

80's and 90's wow... i wanna be there...sick of cold and rain

tonkatruck66

sounds like a bad thermostat to me.

RoyLPita

Take it in. Let the dealer fix it.

Good old Bill

Get her in ASAP. One question I have is when you pulled over and checked coolant, did the engine sound like it was boiling water? If it was popping and banging, the t-stat is probably sticking. No noise, could be just circutry.

Robotaz

Yep. Here's how to know. To stick closed, it would have to stay shut from cold and never open. So if your engine warms up and drives around for awhile at normal temps, sitting on one temp, and then all of a sudden overheats, it's not the thermostat. If, however, as it warms it just keeps on warming, then it's obviously a thermostat stuck shut. They have a metal rod that expands as it heats. It opens to let the water go from circulating only around the engine, to going around the engine and to the radiator.

There could be a water pump or fan problem, but in only 70's the fan wouldn't matter, and intermittent problems with water pumps I'm guessing is very rare, if not unheard of. I suppose the ECU could somehow cause it also, like holding valves open or closed too long, but with no other problems or sounds at all that's highly unlikely.

I'd bet $100 it's the thermostat.

FordCPA

I will let you know. This darn 2008 has had more problems in the first 1,500 miles of it's life then my 01 had in 77k miles.

04Screw

Consider those growing pains..

NGM

Actually sounds like a bad fan clutch.