Engine temp degrees?
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2019
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I took the horse & trailer for a run on Friday to Alvarado - fairly flat run. I peaked at 237 when boosting over a hill and then rolling flat. It does return to "normal" (220) running about 65-70 but the dummy gauge does start to move quite quickly once you get above 234. I really wish I would have _known_ temps prior to the repair. Interesting to hear the water pump/tstat repair helped a little.
At this point, I am just monitoring it and watching how I drive. I'll deal w/ any issues as they happen since I keep hearing from the shop "this is normal". I disagree, but I have no proof before vs after.
At this point, I am just monitoring it and watching how I drive. I'll deal w/ any issues as they happen since I keep hearing from the shop "this is normal". I disagree, but I have no proof before vs after.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2020
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Temp degrees just hit 236 also after cam phaser repair
My 2018 F150 3.5L with 49k just had the Cam Phasers, timing chain repair due to the cold start rattle and today going up a small hill I noticed my temp go up to 236 degrees farenheit.. I'll be monitoring it as it hadn't done that before the repair... I also seem to hear a bit of a ticking coming from the passenger side, I took it back right after the repairs but they said it's normal and that it's from the oil pump and injectors....
5 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2019
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Actually, it's a great interface, because you correctly assumed what it was trying to tell you. 237 is getting quite hot. If memory serves, you'll get into warning messages and reduced engine power at 240. It's not unheard of to be in this territory if you're towing heavy, but you should never get there unloaded.
Just for a data point, I have mine set to display all the time and even during a hard code 3 run during Texas summer heat where I'm absolutely ragging on the truck, I've not seen temps north of 230.
Have your phone ready and shoot some video if the temp spikes again, then take it back to the dealer.
Just for a data point, I have mine set to display all the time and even during a hard code 3 run during Texas summer heat where I'm absolutely ragging on the truck, I've not seen temps north of 230.
Have your phone ready and shoot some video if the temp spikes again, then take it back to the dealer.
Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 89
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From: Massachusetts
Just happened to me also after I had the phasers replaced. Mine got up to 241 just going 60mph on a straight section of highway. Luckily a tech was with me and witnessed it. The dealership said it was normal so I demanded a tech come with me for a ride. The fan also stays on high the entire time the truck is running. It's at the dealership now, they have no clue what is going on. 2018 3.5L EcoBoost with 30k miles.
Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 44
Likes: 23
From: San Antonio, Texas
So I just noticed this on my trip from Dallas to Taos. Somewhere around the foothills of Amarillo the digital temp showed up. I have never seen this before. We were running pretty fast but not towing. Engine peaked at 237. Things seemed normal other than again, this is the first time in 47k miles this has happened. And I have made this same trip before - no issue. I had the vct rattle fixed recently so I'm wondering if something happened during the repair that might affect cooling? I'm a little nervous about the drive back on Christmas Eve. I really don't want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere! And I know without a code Ford won't find any issue.
This change from analog to digital at such seemingly high temp is a terrible interface. It seems to imply something is wrong, or at least outside of normal. Not being able to find the normal operating specs for this engine makes me think this is a tell that something is not right.
2017 3.5 eco with the package. 46k miles
I continued to test what was going on as we drove. As long as the gauge was in the middle I didn't feel too uneasy. Giving it throttle didn't seem to spike the temp but backing off seemed to make it go up a few degrees before eventually dropping below 225. Air temperature was 47F Speed was 75-80 when I first noticed this. I backed off to 65 to make sure then temp wasn't rising at 'normal' speeds. Oil and coolant levels look fine (coolant res is full).
10 speed transmission temp never budged.
This change from analog to digital at such seemingly high temp is a terrible interface. It seems to imply something is wrong, or at least outside of normal. Not being able to find the normal operating specs for this engine makes me think this is a tell that something is not right.
2017 3.5 eco with the package. 46k miles
I continued to test what was going on as we drove. As long as the gauge was in the middle I didn't feel too uneasy. Giving it throttle didn't seem to spike the temp but backing off seemed to make it go up a few degrees before eventually dropping below 225. Air temperature was 47F Speed was 75-80 when I first noticed this. I backed off to 65 to make sure then temp wasn't rising at 'normal' speeds. Oil and coolant levels look fine (coolant res is full).
10 speed transmission temp never budged.
Circling back, I assume it’s safe to continue on? Should I attempt the “burping method”? Just want to avoid being stranded with the wife and two babies en route, if possible.
I’ve also recently had the cam phaser warranty completed.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2019
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That's so crazy that it seems to be common after the phaser repair. I wonder if a new t-stat is common when they do the work? Maybe 210 came from the factory for some reason, and then the 'stock' 217 goes in on a repair?
I also recently replaced my spark plugs and /might/ have noticed a slightly lower temp when driving. It at least feels like it cools back down to 'normal' temps faster. Before, once I hit 219, that was pretty much the floor. Now it seems to drop down to 210-205 at lights/stop signs. I think it's really just wishful thinking, but I need a win.
I've also read some Ram owner's saying their trucks run hotter than expected as well. WIth a 217 t-stat, I believe the temp should hover at 219. What I really don't get is why the phaser repair seems to enable the excursion up to 230+. My buddies new Chevy however sticks at 210 - and Chevy at least puts a number on the gauge. IDK if it is accurate or not.
I have a 210 t-stat sitting on the shelf ready to put in. Based on my driving habits, i expect to top out around 225-deg assuming all things equal.
I also recently replaced my spark plugs and /might/ have noticed a slightly lower temp when driving. It at least feels like it cools back down to 'normal' temps faster. Before, once I hit 219, that was pretty much the floor. Now it seems to drop down to 210-205 at lights/stop signs. I think it's really just wishful thinking, but I need a win.
I've also read some Ram owner's saying their trucks run hotter than expected as well. WIth a 217 t-stat, I believe the temp should hover at 219. What I really don't get is why the phaser repair seems to enable the excursion up to 230+. My buddies new Chevy however sticks at 210 - and Chevy at least puts a number on the gauge. IDK if it is accurate or not.
I have a 210 t-stat sitting on the shelf ready to put in. Based on my driving habits, i expect to top out around 225-deg assuming all things equal.
5 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2018
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From: Kentucky
A 217º thermostat does not go full open at 217º. A stat rated 217º starts to open at that temperature and is designed to operate over a range of temperature, typically 12-15º. In operating like this, thermostats moderate temperature swings while continuing to push coolant through the radiator. If they would close completely to moderate temp, as coolant in the radiator can quickly lose heat, there would be a larger thermal shock to the engine and components Vs a gradual introduction of cooled coolant into hot bypassed coolant.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2021
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Did anyone find a resolution or fix?
2018 Raptor 3.5L Ecoboost here with 40k miles, and the same issue popped up for the first time in two years. After any hills or acceleration at highway speeds requiring boost from the turbos, the engine coolant temps will spike to ~230 after out of the boost (off the throttle) then slowly decrease until the digital readout disappears. Happens regardless of ambient temp. No previous TSBs or dealer maintenance performed prior to this and never experienced abnormal coolant temps until now. Coolant level checks within limits. OEM Orange Coolant, topped off with the new motorcraft yellow coolant to 3/4 of the fill range (per Ford bulletin approving the mixture of orange with yellow).
edit: found a post today discussing how a blockage in the radiator anecdotally was the source of spiking coolant temps and resolved by replacing the thermostat and radiator to new OEM: https://www.f150forum.com/f118/ecobo...441933/index5/
2018 Raptor 3.5L Ecoboost here with 40k miles, and the same issue popped up for the first time in two years. After any hills or acceleration at highway speeds requiring boost from the turbos, the engine coolant temps will spike to ~230 after out of the boost (off the throttle) then slowly decrease until the digital readout disappears. Happens regardless of ambient temp. No previous TSBs or dealer maintenance performed prior to this and never experienced abnormal coolant temps until now. Coolant level checks within limits. OEM Orange Coolant, topped off with the new motorcraft yellow coolant to 3/4 of the fill range (per Ford bulletin approving the mixture of orange with yellow).
edit: found a post today discussing how a blockage in the radiator anecdotally was the source of spiking coolant temps and resolved by replacing the thermostat and radiator to new OEM: https://www.f150forum.com/f118/ecobo...441933/index5/
Last edited by nighthorse_raptor; Feb 4, 2021 at 02:16 AM.
Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 89
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From: Massachusetts
I'm having the same issues with my 2018 3.5L EcoBoost and have been dealing with it since September. There is no definitive fix as of now, I've been researching this for months. Replacing the radiator and/or thermostat works for some but not everyone. Unfortunately most guys have been trading in their trucks after a few attempts to fix it. The last answer I got from my dealership was that Ford is aware of this issue but does not have a fix for it per a field engineer. My dealership is going to call me to bring my truck in when that engineer is at the dealership again. Just to be clear, your issues are unloaded, not towing anything correct? Most guys have this issue towing, which is not the case with me.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 616
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thanks for the insight everyone.
It's no suprise these gauges show little truth. I recently learned the volt gauge in my Jeep is actually total BS.. Volts below 10.5 actually show "0" and volts over 14 actually show redline/pegged/16 -- which means it's not a volt gauge it's a display for the ECU.
What's so wrong with showing us real data... Glorified idiot lights.
It's no suprise these gauges show little truth. I recently learned the volt gauge in my Jeep is actually total BS.. Volts below 10.5 actually show "0" and volts over 14 actually show redline/pegged/16 -- which means it's not a volt gauge it's a display for the ECU.
What's so wrong with showing us real data... Glorified idiot lights.