97 OBS 7.3 running cool on the gauge

d2freak82 · May 18, 2021

I'm just going by my stock gauge at the moment, I've had the truck since the end of last year and even pulling my 30ft 5th wheel camper I've never seen the temp gauge read more than a smidge above the first line there - not even made it to the N in normal.
I bought a new tstat for it (hasn't been put in yet), but I'm wondering would that be more of sending unit issue or my tstat stuck open?

Bugman · May 18, 2021

It's normal. Even with the 203 degree thermostat the gauge runs around the R and M in normal.

The cooling system is way over built on these trucks

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d2freak82 · May 19, 2021

Even a friend of mine with the same engine in his truck commented how cool mine was running - like I say it doesn't even reach the first N in normal, not even close. I still get heat and such in the winter but seems it should run warmer.

Bugman · May 19, 2021

If you want to see really what it is running you will need to install a actual temperature gauge.

Perhaps the previous owner put in a 190 degree thermostat instead of the stock 195 one.

jschildm · May 19, 2021

It sounds pretty well normal to me. Depending on the ambient temp, the work the truck is doing, and how long its running for each trip it can very a decent amount. At colder ambient temp while driving on the highway mine is about where you are talking, maybe a little further like then N, but as soon as i stop at a light or stop to idle, the temp drops down. I do second that if you want to know the actual temp its not going to happen with the dash gauge.

d2freak82 · May 20, 2021

thanks guys - I'll see what it does with the new thermostat. Also I purchased the Edge CTS3 so hopefully that reads the temp from the ECM

Bugman · May 20, 2021

The PCM does not monitor the coolant temperature. It does a number of things but not that.

To monitor the temperature you have to install a actual gauge and sender.

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jschildm · May 20, 2021

It will read oil temperature which should be somewhere in the ball park, but won't read coolant temp.

jschildm · Jun 9, 2021

I have attached an image of my coolant temp gauge running 65mph down the highway on a 75 degree day. Empty truck bed and not towing anything. According to torque my oil temp was 190.4 when i took the picture. As you can see, it's barely into the normal range.

79jasper · Jun 10, 2021

I'm reqouting this for you.

Bugman said:
If you want to see really what it is running you will need to install a actual temperature gauge.

Perhaps the previous owner put in a 190 degree thermostat instead of the stock 195 one.

You don't understand how inaccurate Ford factory gauges are.
Put a real gauge in it. Take like 15 minutes.

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