There are NO "recommended" alarm settings. I can only give you what I use, and that is based on my research into how things behave under extreme conditions, as well as what I observe any time I force my truck to "work really hard" (pulling a trailer up a 12 mile, 7% grade in 100+ degree temperatures at 65 mph).

So, with that in mind, here's what I use (with explanations):I don't have alarms set on anything else.

If anyone wants to post different figures, feel free. I don't claim to be an expert. If you DO use different values, it would be helpful to explain why.

- Jack

 

This list is awesome!! Thank you Sir.

 

JackandJanet!

Great post>>going to use your recommendations.

thx again!

 

I will as well... just a quick question regarding the Thermostat: Would it being stuck open cause the fully warmed up temp to be lower than a fully functioning one?

 

It sure could. If it's not the original stat, someone may have put a lower temperature one in, which is not a good idea except in heavily modified engines.

 

Just to add to glc's answer: If the stat is fully open too soon, and the ambient temps are low enough, it will run cooler than it should. The stat normally should START to open (a teeny bit) at 195. Before that, it should be completely closed.

Now, when it opens, it does so gradually, opening more as the temperature increases. I think it's probably fully open at around 205, but I'm really guessing here.

Once the stat is fully open, the temperature in your engine is totally dependent on the health of your cooling system and the engine load. The stat has no more influence.

In a climate like Tucson's in the summer, a colder stat will just slow down the rate at which the engine warms up. The 195 stat will be fully open about 5 minutes after I start my truck, and it stays open all the time after that, while closing slightly if the temperature trends down toward 200.

Hope this makes sense. Some people install colder stats in a vehicle in hot climates thinking it will help the engine stay cooler. It doesn't. It just slows down the warmup.

- Jack

 

When it gets hot, like near 90* I saw it hit 198-200, but that's as high as I've personally ever seen it the past few weeks. Now that it's 60s in the am to 70s in the afternoons, I see 180-188 sometimes 192 on the highway

 

I'd say you've got a stuck open stat or one that's colder than spec. I used to read about testing them by putting them in a pan of water on the stove with a thermometer and seeing when they opened. It always seemed a lot of trouble to me. I figure if you go to the trouble of taking it out, you might as well replace it.

- Jack

 

Sounds like someone put a 180 stat in it.

 

Going to get that a a coolant flush done soon... thanks guys. Do you know the part number?

 

Go to any parts store and look it up - Stant is a good brand if they don't have Motorcraft.

 

*Update*

So to anyone who sees this pay attention

Now What Jack and George said was spot on. I HIGHLY HIGHLY suggest people who have tuners monitor the CHT temps. Ever notice a drop in mileage for no apparent reason? I am starting to think what happened might have caused my fouled plug and cop issues last winter. The Thermostat was indeed bad and now my temps at 200-210 under normal driving. Previously I was 188-low 190s (My gryphon goes in 2* increments) and that paired with NE winter = very rich. Coolant was changed with MC gold, MC Thermostat and Gates upper and lower radiator hoses. Much better and I expect to see a slight mpg's increase as the truck is at much healthier temps. Again, guys thanks so much, you were spot on. I think more people have this problem than know it.

 

usually a drop in fuel mileage when winter comes is due to the "winter gas"

 

Yes, but if you're truck is running cool, it's running rich and even a higher drop than normal. It can foul plugs, which happened to me. My truck wouldn't even warm up. I was blocking the grille with a black trash bag and that barely worked. I am afraid to know the temps, it wasn't even hitting the center mark on the coolant gauge

 

And I was not referring to winter temps specifically