Does it ever exceed 230F?

I have heard numerous people say that 215-223F range is pretty normal. Its more than just the t-stat, there is also the grill shutters that will limit airflow into the radiator and so that can drive higher coolant temps as well.

I personally would not run the 180F t-stat unless you are seeing temps over 230F regularly, and you know for a fact that there is not some other issue. I think they like the higher coolant temps as it keeps the oil hotter which helps drive out any fuel or moisture that might accumulate.

 

Is the current thermostat the OE installed t-stat?
Only asking because Ford uses a different coolant flow pattern than near all other makes. Cold side thermostats and hot side, both can fit but do not work the same and may cause problems. KM

 

215 sounds about right for your year, but it seems to be creeping up a little higher than I'd personally like. Stock for my 2013 was something like 187, and I believe my 21 is right around there as well. I wouldn't go with the 180 in Montana. The 187 seems about perfect for these trucks in areas that get cold in the winter. Make sure you get a genuine Ford part!

 

Make sure you get a genuine Ford part!

And don’t let Ford try to sell you a Motorad t-stat! “If it’s Motorad, it’s bad” is frequently heard around here….

 

The RT-1252 is the one you want. I pull 11,000 pounds weekly. With the factory 2018 T-stat it was 225-235 uphill at all times. Now it’s 215-225. Keep in mind the fans run full speed at 225 so it should not be running that hot unless it’s really working hard.

 

230 is high. 220 is even pushing it IMO. I don’t buy the whole “the engineers made it that way” theory on a turbocharged high power per liter engine. It’s all about EPA numbers for the manufacturer.

The “new” thermostat from Ford is excellent, and will keep you around 205-215. Much better than original unit.

That said, I recommend a Reische 170 thermostat. Even on a stock application. They have a nerdy group of engineers and designers over there and they are one of the only if not the only aftermarket stat that works with the design flow of the cooling system.

Tuned and towing 7,000 plus in 100 degree summer weather, I’ve never seen over 205 engine and 190 trans. And I am HARD on my truck.

Ive never seen a 170 unit trip a CEL or anything either if your concerned about that. I know from tuning these that factory ECU strategy goes into warm fueling at 179 and doesn’t go back into cold strategy unless it goes under 159. Which even in the dead of winter I’ve never had a problem. In my tunes I have those numbers lowered anyways just in case.

just my 2 cents

 

230 is high. 220 is even pushing it IMO. I don’t buy the whole “the engineers made it that way” theory on a turbocharged high power per liter engine. It’s all about EPA numbers for the manufacturer.

The “new” thermostat from Ford is excellent, and will keep you around 205-215. Much better than original unit.

That said, I recommend a Reische 170 thermostat. Even on a stock application. They have a nerdy group of engineers and designers over there and they are one of the only if not the only aftermarket stat that works with the design flow of the cooling system.

Tuned and towing 7,000 plus in 100 degree summer weather, I’ve never seen over 205 engine and 190 trans. And I am HARD on my truck.

Ive never seen a 170 unit trip a CEL or anything either if your concerned about that. I know from tuning these that factory ECU strategy goes into warm fueling at 179 and doesn’t go back into cold strategy unless it goes under 159. Which even in the dead of winter I’ve never had a problem. In my tunes I have those numbers lowered anyways just in case.

just my 2 cents

Only problem with the reische 170 is it's too cold in really cold climates. Your truck will go in and out of fuel enrichment mode due to the temp dropping into that zone. I had one in my old truck and experienced it in the winter here in Michigan.

 

I'm running a 180 Motorcraft in my 13 Eco. It replaced a 188 that was OEM. I do notice that it will maintain about a 10 degree lower temp while just cruising around. Or about 190 on average. I can still get it to go over 220 when pulling a grade towing the TT, but it takes longer to get there and it recovers even faster once the boost is < 10 psi.

Mitch