6.0 max engine temp ???

[tucmoto33]

What is the max temp on the '05 6.0 engine? I was towing 14K up some pretty good hills with ambient temp around 90 degrees running into a 25 mph headwind. I had the odo temp gauge on so I could see exactly what it was running, instead of watching the needle gauge, which BTW did go almost to the red. The highest it recorded was 111 centigrade, which is 231.8 degrees. This was a high, mostly it ran 219.2 to 228.2 degrees. The fan clutch came on all the time. It sure is loud and annoying. RPM's were over 3K most of the time, with boost running between 25 and 30 psi. The 6.0 is a goofy engine, I just buried the throttle and drove it as hard as I could to maintain a somewhat reasonable speed. It did not pull as well as my old 7.3. So for 600 miles I listened to the screaming engine, the screaming fan clutch, and my screaming wife complaining of all the noise. I crossed my fingers hoping I wouldn't blow the motor. One good thing is I didn't puke any coolant or blow off the CAC hose. I do not have this problem nearly as bad pulling less weight. This I guess was near max GVW. So, back to the original question, did these temps hurt anything?

[AutoJim]

No. Given what you were doing (towing heavy, with, I'd assume a lot of frontal area, at high RPMs), and the ambient conditions (90+F, big headwind, steep grade), I would expect to see those kind of temps.

Regarding the fan noise -- would you prefer something that moves enough air to keep temps in check but is noisy when engaged, or something that doesn't move enough air and is quiet? If you were running engaged the whole time, I'd say you were working the system pretty hard and it was doing what it's supposed to do.

[ramv]

Good info, I was wondering if I was the only one who found the same thing with the 6.0....

As far as the temp, generally I don't like to see over 225 sustained or over 250 max on any engine, but thats just a personal setting from my experience and research. Really high quality oils probably aren't hindered and if you aren't puking coolant.....

[rock_doctor]

Just keep the temperatures below 240degF if it goes above it will set a code and the dealer will jump down your throat. Otherwise, it sounds like all of you stats are within reasonable limits for a heavy load.

mark

[Woodster]

I was just going to post the same question..I have a 05 as well and pulling my boat (5K pounds) my truck did the same thing this weekend. It was right at 100F outside and a little head wind.I was heading up a moderate size grade... My temp gauge was moving alot..Almost got to red and the fan would kick on and bring it right back down..Is this normal?? Im a little worried because I also have a 32ft trailer that I tow also (14K pounds loaded)

[dbennett48]

That is the way it works. It is normal, but it startles first time users. Just keep your eye in the gauge.

Dave

[MCR500]

Um, question. My 05' has done the temp. thing since day one pulling my 30' fifth wheel. Using the knowledge gained on this site (THANKS), I never worried about the gauge climbing to near red, then going back down as the fan clutch kicks in. According to dsg05's post at the top of this thread, he was watching the engine temps as the needle rose on his odo gauge??? How the heck does that work?? Can someone be so kind as to explain the process of switching the odo over to read engine temps, or am I reading something that doesn't exist?? Thanks in advance for any replies!! C-Ya!!

[tucmoto33]

Yep, startled me. Not used to revving a diesel like that, the 6.0 is one strange motor. That fan clutch must be a hoss too... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]
I usually change oil at 4500 miles, ya'll think maybe at 3K if I tow much w/ it? I use Delo 400 15/40, will shearing be a concern? Something about running it WOT all the time scares me. I'm an old school diesel guy..

[Lightningfast01]

Chevy use to have real loud fan blades then in 96 they switched from a 5 blabde to an 8 blade fan which cut noise by 50%. Ford needs a fan blade designed for submarines or such stealth use. I am amazed how hard you have to wrap and flog these 6L's to do work. I had a customer with a 36GN 14K empty Tahoe toybox last week that said she felt like a danger to society on the highways going so slow. When it was stock she was lucky to get up to 60mph in her 05 F350. We did a Magnaflow turbo back and Sueprchips 1704 on Tow Safe and she said it was a LOT better. It had puked before I think turning off the EGR would healp temps when towing a LOT! I also noticed running the A/C adds about 75-100' to my EGT. I guess the condeser is in front of the intercooler and preheats it. Maybe the Banks intercooler will help this.

[tucmoto33]

I figured on doing the exhaust, still a little scared to run a program after all the problems I have heard about the PSD's blowing up and warranty issues, although I would love to find a cure for the turbo lag.

[JW350]

[ QUOTE ]
...According to dsg05's post at the top of this thread, he was watching the engine temps as the needle rose on his odo gauge??? How the heck does that work?? Can someone be so kind as to explain the process of switching the odo over to read engine temps, or am I reading something that doesn't exist?? Thanks in advance for any replies!! C-Ya!!

[/ QUOTE ]

dsg05 is referring to the odometer trick. While pressing the odometer reset button, turn the key on, wait a few seconds (or until the glow-plug light turns off), and then fire it up. The computer will first perform a set of tests on the instrument panel and then you can use the odometer reset button to cycle through several sensor readings including engine temp, battery voltage, rpm, mph, dtc, etc. It helps if you have a printed explanation of the sensor readings. I searched, but could not find a complete list. Maybe someone in the know will post it again.

[wpetko]

I agree with everyone else here that these engine temps are normal for heavy towing under the conditions described. However, what you really should be worrying about is the exhaust gas temp and the transmission temp. Both of these will reach a critical point well before the engine temp. and they both require a quality aftermarket gauge. I know The truck comes with a factory installed transmission temp gauge. The best thing you can do is ignore that piece of junk and forget it's there. It will tell you when the trans is hot, but by then it's too late and you are looking at an expensive repair. The exhaust gas temp is measured by a thermocouple which is mounted in the exhaust manifold BEFORE the hot gas gets to the turbocharger. This tells you when a critically high temperature is about to make junk of your expensive turbocharger and it also tells you when the EGT is low enough to safely turn off your engine.
Do a search here for gauges and some of the sponsors here sell some really good products. My gauges (see sig below) include the pyrometer, trans temp and a volt meter since Ford deleted the volt meter to put in that useless factory trans temp gauge.
I hope this helped.

[jeepman]

Same here. I tow a 35' 5iver weighs in at about 13,400. Coming back from Dallas there are not any real pulls but I was bucking a 30-40 MPH side/head wind all day. The OEM temp gauge would come up, fan comes on, temp goes back down. It is different than my 02 7.3. I thought the 6.0 pulled better than my 7.3. Much less down shifting and the one pull coming back is the Caprock at Memphis. This is a hill that you will pass semis and other RV's on. The 6.0 pulled it better than the 7.3 did. I had cruise set on about 65 and I just let the cruise take it and I topped it at 65. No tuner, just the exhaust. Nothing to complain about there. The 7.3 with a tuner and exhaust would top it at the same speed. One difference was you had to keep an eye on the EGT's. BTW, there were a couple of times when the EGT's hit 1250-1300, pre turbo. Mind you this is stock with exception of the exhaust.

[tucmoto33]

I plan on getting some gauges, but I figured in stock configuration Ford would have it designed not to exceed max EGT's, and a gauge would not be needed. I always run gauges if motor mods are in place.

Jeepman, what exhaust do you have? I was thinking MBRP turbo back.