[2016XLT4x4]

My 2018 F150 3.5 Ecoboost engine temperature has always run between about 207 and 217 degrees Fahrenheit. I just had the cam phasers and all timing components replaced at 99K under warranty and want this engine to live a long life. Since I hit 100K recently and am now out of warranty I decided to install a 180 degree Motorcraft thermostat.

These are my observations…

I placed both the old 195 and new 180 thermostats along with a temp gauge into a pot of water on the stove. I had to wait for my wife to run some errands to complete this mission as she would kill me if she knew what I was doing with her cookware. I won’t mention the time that I washed Harley cylinders in the dishwasher… Hahaha, good stuff. Anyways, the 180 unit started opening about 185 and was fully open by 195. The 195 unit didn’t start to open until just past the 205 mark.

I ended up reusing the factory O-ring on the new thermostat. I had picked up a Felpro O-ring but the Ford part was way better in the way it’s made. After installing the 180 thermostat and topping off with proper coolant I went for a test drive.

I immediately noticed that the engine temperature was running 15 – 20 degrees cooler. An unexpected benefit was that the transmission temp was also running cooler as well. I always thought the tranny had a thermostat that kept it at 200 but it’s now running about 190 when fully warmed up,
I ran the interstate at 55mph and then at 80mph for a bit. I never saw the gauge run over 203 even when running hard up the hills.

I should have done this when I first bought the truck 50K miles ago but I didn’t want to touch anything for warranty purposes. I'm picking up a small travel trailer soon and am glad I did this mod before towing it.

Here are a few pics including the new stat and my shakedown run temps.

 

[GearHead_1]

But you took the sleeve off the thermometer, right?

 

[TOWMA8R]

Been thinking about doing the 180 thermostat on mine too!

 

[2016XLT4x4]

I should also mention something else that I did...
I removed the air bleed blocker on the new thermostat. (See pics) I also positioned the hole so that it was at the top when installed. Removing those little blockers or drilling an air bleed hole when there wasn't one is something that I've always done. Call me old fashioned.

 

[Mulyhuntr]

180 was a little cool for my liking. 188 is a good happy medium.

 

[FanaticalKilla]

180 was a little cool for my liking. 188 is a good happy medium.

I went with a factory 190 listing off of Rockauto

 

[2016XLT4x4]

UPDATE:
I have a few more miles on my F150 since the swap to a 180 Motorcraft thermostat and I am happy to report back with good results. All temps given are in Fahrenheit.
My "new normal" seems to be 190-198 engine temp and 180-190 tranny temp when driving unloaded.
I drove 125 miles yesterday to pick up a 4000 lb travel trailer. I took pictures of my temps just before I got there and then again after pulling the trailer all the way back home. I ran it a bit hard up some long hills a few times with the trailer to see what the temps would do. I saw a spike of 119 ect once but it went right back down. The tranny never got over 203 and mostly stayed below 200. I had the 3 overdrive gears locked out when pulling the trailer.
I am very happy with these results and I swear the truck is getting a tad better fuel mileage... but that isn't proven just yet. Here are a few pics...

No trailer - Normal driving after 123 miles

After 120 miles of pulling 4K lb Travel trailer home

 

[snakebitten]

I love that single axle tiny house!

 

[2016XLT4x4]

I love that single axle tiny house!

Yea, we like to beach camp and go way out west off the beaten trail sometimes. The class A just can't get to some of those places so we are going to have to rough it in this thing. 😆

 

[DNA Dan]

Your experience with the 180 stat is just like mine. It feels like the engine is a bit more relaxed and just runs better.

 

[snakebitten]

Is that the little rear bath/bunkhouse?

What an awesome beach cabin!

 

[TOWMA8R]

Your experience with the 180 stat is just like mine. It feels like the engine is a bit more relaxed and just runs better.

I gotta do this ^

 

[2016XLT4x4]

Is that the little rear bath/bunkhouse?

What an awesome beach cabin!

Yes it is. 2023 Rockwood Geo Pro 20BHS. It's just me, my wife and the 80lb dog. We basically use the bunk area for storage.

 

[smitty6153]

That little camper is about the right size for me. Just wish it had a 2nd axle under it for off road stability.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

 

[snakebitten]

I actually think the single axle gives it much better articulation.

 

[Upshifter]

I know its now officially Spring and you are in Tejas, but any idea on changes to heating performance?

That might be my only remaining question...

Back in the day I changed out the Stat in my Silverado to a lower temp and couldn't get the cabin warm enough in winter. I dont recall what temp that was or any other details... I just picked the lowest temp option from the local parts store, because that motor also overheated a lot.

 

[2016XLT4x4]

I know its now officially Spring and you are in Tejas, but any idea on changes to heating performance?

That might be my only remaining question...

Back in the day I changed out the Stat in my Silverado to a lower temp and couldn't get the cabin warm enough in winter. I dont recall what temp that was or any other details... I just picked the lowest temp option from the local parts store, because that motor also overheated a lot.

it's gotten down into 30's the last few nights / mornings here and the cabin air blows very hot if I set it to max hi temp. I usually move it to 70-72 once the cab interior is warmed up.