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MStat's avatar
MStat
Explorer
Apr 02, 2015

Scan gage numbers

Ladies & Gentlemen,

I've read several posts regarding using a Scangage on the Ford 6.0 to watch the numbers, meaning temperatures of oil vs water & transmission etc.

Can anybody tell me what would be good numbers vs bad numbers?

To give you an idea of what I'm talking about:

Vehicle 2004 F250 6.0 CC 4x4 157,xxx miles. New lube oil and EGR cooler at 147,000 miles. (EOT vs Water was spiking over 20F during normal driving.) Since the replacement I've been watching closer and here are some of the numbers:

Empty

Around town 30-40MPH EOT vs water ~5-6F Some times even lower
Highway 60-65MPH EOT vs water ~8-9F 35 minute drive to work
Highway 70-73MPH EOT vs water ~10-11F Average on 9 hr drive I I thought interesting 5MPH would make that much difference in the delta.

Pulling 36ft TT, with truck trailer combo weighing in just under 17K

60-65MPH interstate EOT vs water 15-20F Water oil trending upwards on hills (engine working a tad harder), then back down on flats. Fan clutch never kicked in.

It would go to make sense that EOT vs water could be higher due to the heavier load. But do these values make sense?

Roads are mid Missouri combination of flat and moderate hills or north to Green Bay WI

Thanks
Tow Vehicles

3 Replies

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  • Hank85713's avatar
    Hank85713
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2015
    really your numbers are meaningless. You need to post actual temps. Is the water at 195 or better or is it low? Do the 2 have similar values on cold start? ie. eot 75 ect 75 or are the numbers on a big split? once the engine is fully warmed up T stat open what are the ECT readings? Run at 65 mph level terrain if possible for approx 15 mins or more and see what the differences are. Should not be more than 15*. Also has your truck been tuned etc. Makes a difference.

    If the tstat is not holding to temp ie open too soon you will get bad reading. So need to know actual numbers not spreads. Go to one of the truck forums for the best info FTE.com or powerstroke.org.

    I know many claim casting sands but I have never had any in mine, and a lot of folks claim not have either. A big problem has been the ford coolant the 'gold' as it seems to gel when hot. Its possible a good backflush would help as would a better coolant.

    I have 04 and just yesterday ran 150 miles and at 80 mph indicated only had 8-9 temp spreads, within 5 at 60-65. I have replaced the oem egr with a BPD unit and also a OEM oil cooler was installed.
  • W4RLR's avatar
    W4RLR
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2015
    In general, you do not want the delta (difference) between engine oil temperature and engine coolant temperature to exceed fifteen degrees beyond very short periods. If the no load difference exceeds fifteen degrees consistently, you are probably looking at a clogged oil cooler, clogged EGR cooler, or both. If you do not have a coolant filer installed, do so. There is a lot of loose casting sand in those engines and it can lead to clogged coolers. The coolant filter kit can be had for about $130.

    Bulletproofing with a revised EGR cooler, head studs, and new oil cooler will bring your engine back to good performance if things start to go south.
  • Halmfamily's avatar
    Halmfamily
    Explorer
    Apr 02, 2015
    That sounds about where my temps were after I had mine bullet proofed. Just keep an eye on them. When my oil and egr coolers went my temps jumped 45° apart while towing the fiver. Not towing they stayed within 10°. Good luck

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