ECT too low?

[beemerbiker5]

I was driving tonite, 65mph (gps), cruise on, empty truck. My Scangauge showed ECT of 181-182*F, and it dipped to about 178F for a short while. Ambient temp was about 55F or so.
Is the T-stat gone? Do I need to replace it? If so, what temp T-stat should I get?
'06, Auto, 4x4
What happens if the ECT stays low?
Sorry for all the questions, again, newbie here.

[cyclonestroker]

Sounds like the t-stat needs replaced. Should be a 192* i think. if you get it from ford it comes with the entire housing and costs about $40.

[Lilpooh]

Like cyclone said, sounds like your stat is stuck.

[caissiel]

You will be glad to replace it and your local driving fuel mileage will improve enough to pay for the Thermostat.

Oil has to be at 180F for the turbo to stop heating the engine and the EGR valve to start closing, so the longer it takes the water to heat the oil the harder it is on fuel.

[f350powerstroke]

Originally Posted by caissiel

You will be glad to replace it and your local driving fuel mileage will improve enough to pay for the Thermostat.

Oil has to be at 180F for the turbo to stop heating the engine and the EGR valve to start closing, so the longer it takes the water to heat the oil the harder it is on fuel.

after my flush my ect goes from 190-195 highway driving and dips down to 186-189 in town. good or bad?

[Dave]

Factory Tstat partially opens at 182. So at 50 degrees seeing 180-184 isnt out of the ordinary

[beemerbiker5]

Originally Posted by Dave

Factory Tstat partially opens at 182. So at 50 degrees seeing 180-184 isnt out of the ordinary

I think I will likely change the tstat, and do the coolant flush/change out at the same time. I figure it certainly won't hurt, can only help. Since getting the Scangauge, I don't remember seeing over about 182, so I have my doubts that it is working correctly. When I reviewed the Scangauge, it gives a max *F for ECT, and it read 186, never saw that so it must have only blipped by.

Thanks for the input, guys.


Just read another post pointing out the high frequency of failed oil coolers after the coolant flush and change. Should I just change the oil cooler, too or hope it doesn't happen to me? Sounds like the flush is what brings about an early demise of the oil cooler. Is Restore the Grim Reaper of oil coolers?

[beemerbiker5]

Originally Posted by caissiel

You will be glad to replace it and your local driving fuel mileage will improve enough to pay for the Thermostat.

Oil has to be at 180F for the turbo to stop heating the engine and the EGR valve to start closing, so the longer it takes the water to heat the oil the harder it is on fuel.

When the ECT was running 181-182, the EOT was running about 190-191. Does this mean that the engine didn't warm up completely? I drove about 80 miles, all hiway during this run.

[Smut]

This could be a sign of your oil cooler plugging.