Whats the normal operating temp for a 7.3. I got a mechanical gauge installed and cruising at 55 I run about 210. Seems a little warm but not hot. In town today, a lot of stop and go traffic, it crept up to almost 220. Ive never ran a mechanical gauge on an Idi so not really sure what's normal. Thanks In advance.
Alright guys need some help, normal operating temp
- Thread starter 93f250idi
- Start date
'94IDITurbo7.3
HAMMER DOWN!
where did you put the probe? i NEVER see higher than 190*F. i have mine in one of the holes near the rear of the head on the drivers side.
'94IDITurbo7.3
HAMMER DOWN!
210 is just fine BTW, but even sitting in traffic in 100*F temps i never see my temps climb more than a few degrees.
FordGuy100
Registered User
Sounds like your fan clutch is going bad.
mobilemech
Full Access Member
The clutch doesn't engauge till 230*, those temps are ok. The location of the probe is ok also
Kevin 007
Full-floater
My probe is in the engine "overtemp" port in the front of the drivers side head. With a 192 degree t-stat. My cruising temps are always at 190 degrees. The hottest I have ever got it was 210
My mechanical probe is in the same location. I saw 200- 210 regularly until I went to a Motorcraft thermostat (not knockoff, genuine Motorcraft), then it runs at 190 all day. In 106-110 outside temps I might see 200.
Those temperatures are normal, but as said before, check Your fan clutch. I had a modified (that is what they said when they charged Me big bucks for it) fan clutch on My old 7.3l and I hardly ever heard it, on My 6.9l I can tell it is ON when on stop and go traffic.
cowman79
Full Access Member
Mine is installed In the heater core piping and I see 190 normally but it fluctuates up to 215 when climbing a hill or stop and go with the ac on. I have installed a new radiator and a new fan clutch within the last year.
Personally 230f is what I consider pull over time.
160k87F250
not rocket science
Mine runs at 205 normally. When pulling hills to the rally, towing the camper, it would spike up to 230. Coming home, during the hot mid-afternoon sun, it spiked to 240, but we would then crest the hill and the temps would drop.
yes 220 is fine.
no that's under the max safe zone.
if you read fan clutch tech spec articles,you'll notice to pass lockup is up to 237 degrees.
if the fan still passes as good until 237 degree's,there is no way in heck it can cool quick enough to avoid 240+ quick peaks.
240 or less,you have it made.
i let mine run 225-235 a lot before i worry about having my e-fans do anything.
the t-sat is supposed to 192 already with no engine load.there has to be some working temp range,or you couldn't tow anything with the trucks.
GOOSE
Happy IDI'er
I run about 195 empty in a mostly flat South Jersey. Towing a 24' trailer and grossing 16,000lbs out to the rally I routinely saw 210 but never saw more than 220. I was greatly pleased with these numbers.
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