Operating Temperature

[Meast]

A couple of weeks ago I put a KKM intake on my 2000 Exp and at the same time I flushed the radiator and put new antifreeze in the truck. Every since the truck has been operating a lot cooler than normal. For example tonight as I was driving up the interstate the operating temp was low but in the normal range for the truck since I have owned it but when I exited the interstate and was waiting to turn the operating temp dropped so low that it barely registered. Is this normal with the KKM intake? If it ran hotter than normal I would suspect that the thermostat was going bad but it doesn't. Any suggestions? Do I need to worry about anything with it running so cool?

 

[Alec]

Maybe it is the thermostat. Maybe it's sticking open letting coolant run too much.

 

[Premier]

Is there any downside to this? Mine also runs VERY cool.

 

[aldive]

Are you basing the cool temp reading on the factiry gauge? Thise instruments are not very accurate,

Hook up a scanner and see what the "real" temp is.OFTEN

 

[Redrig]

Mine runs under the "N" in normal. Also a couple others i know. I think that is normal from a thread i read here. I have no idea where it is but there is a thread here on it somewhere.

 

[Premier]

Yea im lookin at the facvtory guage. When I turn my heater on the temp drops. It hardly ever goes above the cold mark Basically its burried in the cold side. Also, is there any ill effects from running the engine cool?

Also what kind of scanner..? Just one that normally checks the CEL or what?

 

[Redrig]

Yeah. A engine running to cool is just as bad as it running hot. Thats from the info i gathered. Im not 100%sure on that though.

 

[Alec]

Yup, a motor needs to get up to optimal operating temp to be the most efficient and circulate oil properly.

 

[Premier]

Ok thanks a bunch. Do you know the how/what kind of scanner I use to check the temp?

 

[professorweed]

mine's cold, too

I replaced my radiator hoses and heater hoses yesterday. I also flushed out the heater core and radiator, and the overflow container. I added new coolant at about 45%. I also noticed a big change in operating temp.
I didn't change the thermostat because I didn't have my rtv with me, but it works fine. I was beginning to wonder why my engine was so much cooler.
I guess it's just because everything is all flushed out and fresh.

 

[Nicaraguense]

Running too cool

Running too cool also affects power, and MPG's because it affects the sensors. I don't always do it but I do 90% of the time let mine idle 7-12 min. to achieve optimal operating temperature before taking off. I found that my MPG's actually went up even though I ma sitting idling for a good amount of time burning gas I could be using to burn up down the road.

 

[KPT]

A faulty t-stat will affect your mileage. I went from 16 to 18 mpg after I replaced mine.

 

[dgibson]

I replaced my tstat a couple of weeks ago. I got one that opens at 180 deg. instead of the stock 195 and my x seems to run just fine

 

[Rhett]

The KKM won't affect the operating temp of your truck.
The only thing I can remotely see is that when you install a KKM, the pre-heater tube is disconnected from the stock airbox, and this theoretically could cause a little slower warming of the engine when it's cold.

Likely it has more to do with the stat or the temperature sender than anything else.

 

[97LTD]

Ok I have a question:

What kind of t-stat is best? 180 degree or 195 degree? I remember some of you posted preferred Napa t-stat other than motorcraft brand. Pls let me know.

 

[bipolarbob]

If you flushed your rad that could cause a lower operating temp....by far.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by 97LTD
Ok I have a question:

What kind of t-stat is best? 180 degree or 195 degree? I remember some of you posted preferred Napa t-stat other than motorcraft brand. Pls let me know.

Your computer is designed for a 195 t stat.

 

[etc]

My ex was running hot before, way too often. I changed the thermostat now its running a little bit too cool (according to the factory gauge).

The only time it's ever jumps to "normal" temperature is if I gun the accelerator for a few seconds on the road. Other wise the gauge is about 1/3 of the way up.

Any thing I should be checking?

 

[dgibson]

Originally posted by 97LTD
Ok I have a question:

What kind of t-stat is best? 180 degree or 195 degree? I remember some of you posted preferred Napa t-stat other than motorcraft brand. Pls let me know.

I got the 180 degree one from Advance Auto. My x stays cooler. The only thing that I worried about was how fast the heater would start really kicking. Believe me, it's 33 degrees here today and my heater almost ran me out of the truck.