coolent temp running cool?

[toughguy]

2000 ford explorer Eddie Bauer, 5.0 I have noticed when I bought this truck the coolant temp was always low...like not getting past the "C", at least the wife's truck works well. I checked the coolant in the radiator and its full. I then drove the truck around and got it hot, I turned on the heat and it was blazing hot.... yet the temp dial was reading just past the "C" it should have been at least in the middle, like the 1999 explorer. the last thing I did was turn on the A/C and let her run in the driveway. it got hot and the dial went up half way......what I am I missing, thermostat stuck open? any geniuses out there know something I don't. thank you.

 

[PAExplorerXLT]

See, if you didn’t refer to coolant by “she”, you wouldn’t confuse us. Anyway, mine reads low too but I have plenty of heat in the winter. A more objective measure is to actually read the coolant temperature. I have one of those wifi OBDII readers that does it. I haven’t checked lately but back in January it read 185 degrees. You may want to check this thread too?

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=416118

 

[toughguy]

thank you. does one really need to drain all/some of the coolant to change the thermostat on a 2000 5.0 ?

 

[PAExplorerXLT]

I just checked my coolant temp via OBDII and it reads only 176 degrees in 90 degree summer heat with the AC on. That’s some cooling system.

 

[toughguy]

update, the thermostat was stuck open, replaced and all is good.

 

[SoNic67]

Thanks for feedback about the cause.
It was what I was guessing, but now is good to know. Those trucks will generate heat in cabin even when temperature reads low... that's a good heating coil right there!

 

[PAExplorerXLT]

For almost a year my temp gauge stood at 1/4. I had plenty of heat in the winter and had a coolant temp of 185. I thought 185 should be enough to move the gauge higher but it didn’t. Had to replace the thermostat housing for a leak and the the replacement came with its own thermostat and sensors. Now the gauge sits smack in the middle and the coolant temp reads 195. I suspect the new thermostat fixed the problem.