Engine Temp how hot is too hot?
So I was just wondering what any of you guys think about this? A few years ago I went camping in the Eastern Sierra Nevada. A place called Tuff Campground. I drove an all stock other than a 4in turbo ...
Forum Discussion
carringb wrote:
Having a 6.0 PSD means you really need a ScanGauge, UltraGauge or similar digital gauge monitor. Knowing not just specific coolant temps, but also oil temps and other parameters is essentially to not having a total engine meltdown on the side of the road.
I would not except 10,000 pounds up a 6% grade to even move the needle! This alone makes me worried your truck may not be cooling properly. Have you pulled a coolant sample lately to make sure there's no "tapioca" or other contaminates in the system? Tapioca-like precipitates are the first sign your coolant is breaking down (or is reacting because non-compatible coolant was added) and this can quickly plug the engine oil cooler, which will cause the EGR cooler to blow.
FWIW - the hottest I've seen on my V10 was 223F. That was climbing Death Valley west-bound, which I think is a 12% grade? Whatever it is, its steep and long, and it was 107F the last time I pulled it, with 15,000 pounds in tow. The 6.0 does seem to run a little warmer normally though.
x2
I put a scan gage on my 6.0 after I blew a head gasket and the temperature gage pegged. I had the heads rebuilt, the EGR and engine oil cooler replaced. I really wouldn't rely on the factory gage. I've seen my scan gage get up to 217 degrees and my factory temperature gage was barely above the middle of the gage.
If everything is mechanically sound and the coolant isn't contaminated, I would slow down or pull off the road if my temperatures got over 220. I found that just slowing down a bit when climbing a hill can reduce coolant temperatures by 10 degrees.
