Too hot?

[Daryl]

Last couple days were unusually hot here (105-106*) and I noticed at one point water temp gauge read 220*. Seemed to me that’s teetering on the edge of “pull over and shut her down”. Instead I tried this: turned off the A/C; rolled down the windows; and blasted the heater. Gradually brought temp down to 200-205*, so continued on home without stopping. T-stat is a Mishimoto 190*; Mishimoto radiator I picked up from Maximum95 and 19lb radiator cap. I recently added a bottle of Water Wetter, too.

I will check radiator fluid level this morning as I let the engine cool down over night. But I’m curious if this needs attention? It’s “ok”? Or suggestions to explore???

Thanks everyone. Cheers!

 

[07GtS197]

Where is the gauge sensor hooked up? Depending on the driving conditions that’s not too bad given the ambient temperature being as high as it was.

 

[95opal]

Low speed fan doesn't kick on till 218 so with the ambient temps you seem ok.

 

[Daryl]

Where is the gauge sensor hooked up? Depending on the driving conditions that’s not too bad given the ambient temperature being as high as it was.

The sensor is mounted in the port next to the water neck.

 

[Daryl]

07 & 95,
Thx, both! I didn’t know about the 218* factor. I always thought that with a 190* thermostat it would kick in once it got over 190

 

[cobrajeff96]

Damn, even for OEM 218*F seems unrealistically high. My 96 (from factory) kicks on at 210*F which is pretty standard.

But to the original question, 220*F is a good maintenance temp regardless of the weather. It's actually ideal there.

If you see the temp get to 230*F, that means you should be watching it like a hawk and get air moving through that radiator with higher mph. Otherwise, yes, shut it down and wait.

 

[RAU03MACH]

is that Gauge moving or is it pegged out

 

[Daryl]

is that Gauge moving or is it pegged out

Moving

 

[RAU03MACH]

stroked engine

 

[Daryl]

stroked engine

Ahhhh…. I think you nailed it

 

[RAU03MACH]

a stroked engine will run hot even hotter driving around town red light to red light
and if the temp is say 90 above oh yah and you got the ac blowing even worse
drive it in the winter

 

[RAU03MACH]

another reason why i stay away from stroked engines

 

[Daryl]

Anything else I can do to help keep temperatures down, like a lower Fahrenheit thermostat? I have a Mishimoto 190* now with Prestone 50/50 pre-mixed and a bottle of Water Wetter.

 

[Daryl]

Nix the lower thermostat I just learned. What about the coolant (is mine ok?) and additives then? Or it’s gonna act how it’s gonna act?!

 

[RAU03MACH]

180 maybe

 

[07GtS197]

You have to remember that these motors operate at peak efficiency around 200*-220*. A tune can adjust the temps the fan turns on and off but I don’t think it’ll do much. If it hasn’t been an issue in the past I don’t think it’ll be an issue going forward. Also if you have underdrive pullies you will see a decrease in performance of your cooling system.

 

[RAU03MACH]

he would need a megasquirt

 

[Daryl]

“This product cannot be shipped to the State of California”… Pppppppttt!

 

[RAU03MACH]

what are you trying to have shipped to you
ill get it ship to you

 

[cobrajeff96]

Man, I got a longtube Yote stuffed in the engine bay and boy does it radiate some heat! That said, cooling it down quite easily is Mishimoto rad with floating brackets (because the SN95 core support suuuuucks), stock fan, Prestone 50/50, two bottles of water wetter, and stock Yote thermo which I think is 192*F. Operating temps flux between 197 after a fan activation and up to 212. Literally the hottest I've seen this motor get on the hot days here was 213 and I think it was something like 95*F out that day. As long as these Mustang motors of pretty much all flavors stay below 220 then there is no cause for alarm. Even a bit higher is ok. It's just when you see the temps get to 230 and still rising is when crisis mode should begin.