V10 Engine operating temp.

colemole · 08-11-2010, 07:58 PM

Hello all

I had the pleasure of driving through B.C. on the Crowsnest #3 highway from Oosyoos to Sparwood which climbs 3 steep long mountain passes. I have a 2003 Adventurer 35U with the V10 ford .I noticed the temperaure guage never moved from about 1/4 in the normal range although I could hear the engine cooling fan engage now and again. Outside temperature was 80/90 degrees F. I would have expected to see the engine temperture climb and fall a bit as the fan kicked in and out. Do these engines have that much cooling capacity that this is normal or do I have a guage problem?
Thanks Colemole

John Hilley · 08-11-2010, 08:29 PM

The temperature gauge is really nothing more than a warning light. I have a Scan Gauge II on mine. In 90 degree my Ford gauge never moves off of 1/3 of the way. The Scan Gauge II however, shows operating temperatures of about 206 degrees on level ground up to 228 degrees climbing a grade and I did see a momentary 233 and 238 degrees. I don't think my fan clutch is operating as i don't hear it. Nothing other than the Scan Gauge II indicates it is running hot. others with the Scan Gauge II have changed clutch fans and radiators without any change. I am towing a Jeep Wrangler. In mountains in the southwest with ambient temperatures in the 60's It seems to run around 192 degrees, even on grades.

Luv2go · 08-11-2010, 08:33 PM

Colemole, as John mentioned (he beat me to the post) instrument engine gauges are notoriously inaccurate. I've heard that the gauges will stay in one spot until your engine is almost overheating

I use a Scangauge II on our 2008 Ford F53-based coach and it shows about a 10 degree change before the fan starts roaring. A plus is you can program it for transmission temp (at least for the TorqShift 5 speed transmission) and Cylinder Head temp using the X-gauge feature. Dale Olson (oemtech) sells the Scangauge on his website.

Stewart