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Old 05-13-2010, 12:32 PM
Oh2Ranger Oh2Ranger is offline
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Default Scangauge Coolant Readings For Our 2.3

Ive recently had a ScanGaugeII in my truck for about a month, and noticed right away a very high water temp reading. It varies, somewhere between 240-260*, although I have seen it in the 270*s at one point. I drained the radiator, and topped it off, (not an entire flush, just drain and fill) to see if that helped drop the numbers, it seemed, to help a little bit, but not what I would assume to be normal operating temps. The gauge on the instrument cluster has never moved past half way, and works well and operates while warming up (meaning its not stuck in one position). Never had any codes, or anything that would make me believe the truck is running hot. I wouldn't have any idea if it wasn't for the scan gauge itself.

Ive been doing some reading as best I can across the board, reading that our temp. sender is in the head of the engine, and that's why it's reading so hot. Isn't that even so, still too hot for the head? So I went to X-Gauge, and configured my scan gauge to read my CHT (cylinder head temp) After doing so, I viewed the gauges and it shows that the CHT is a few degrees higher than what the water temperature is said to be. Because these aren't the same numbers, can we rule out the idea that the water temp the scan gauge reads by default is reading from the head?

Kinda has me worried about the condition of everything, although when I bring it up with anyone else, they say that I would get a code or the gauge would peg hot, even if it was a dummy gauge so I shouldn't be alarmed.

I was hoping to see what fellow duratecr's were pulling for water temps, so I can see how far off I am. I live in WA, and the temps have been around the 60-70's nothing insane.

I believe the fans are working just fine..

anyone have any numbers to throw my way?? What are your temps?
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Old 05-13-2010, 12:48 PM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Default Re: Scangauge Coolant Readings For Our 2.3

I think its more likely the SGII reading/displaying it wrong. Your coolant would be boiling at that temperature, not to mention the damage from continuous exposure. And the gauge would be glued to the peak of H.
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Old 05-13-2010, 01:40 PM
DieHard4rd DieHard4rd is offline
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Default Re: Scangauge Coolant Readings For Our 2.3

I'll check mine on the way home tonight. But I have not seen temps that high.
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Old 05-13-2010, 02:06 PM
Oh2Ranger Oh2Ranger is offline
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Default Re: Scangauge Coolant Readings For Our 2.3

Thank you, I just took it for another drive, it was in the 250ish degree ballpark for the most part
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Old 05-13-2010, 02:40 PM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Default Re: Scangauge Coolant Readings For Our 2.3

That is way too hot still.
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Old 05-13-2010, 03:01 PM
Jp7 Jp7 is offline
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Default Re: Scangauge Coolant Readings For Our 2.3

See my post on R/F - I already answered you.
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Old 05-13-2010, 03:04 PM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Default Re: Scangauge Coolant Readings For Our 2.3

Can you answer it here for those of us who either do not want to are physically unable to go to R/F?
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Old 05-13-2010, 03:09 PM
Jp7 Jp7 is offline
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Default Re: Scangauge Coolant Readings For Our 2.3

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Can you answer it here for those of us who either do not want to are physically unable to go to R/F?
I logged mine quite some time ago and I am getting the same results 260ish. The sensor must be inside the cylinder head, or the pinout is actually reading the CHT.

I would not worry as I saw this almost exact post one time before.
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Old 05-13-2010, 05:12 PM
DieHard4rd DieHard4rd is offline
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Default Re: Scangauge Coolant Readings For Our 2.3

Once mine warmed up it ran between 185 & 195 coming home from work. Here's a shot of mine as I was coming down my street.

& yes I averaged 41MPG on the trip home Gotts love a little tail wind.

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Old 05-13-2010, 05:14 PM
FoMoCo FoMoCo is offline
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Default Re: Scangauge Coolant Readings For Our 2.3

mine seems like it runs hot, doesn't seem to bother the truck
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Old 05-13-2010, 05:14 PM
DieHard4rd DieHard4rd is offline
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Default Re: Scangauge Coolant Readings For Our 2.3

Oh!! & I want to say a special thanks to STL for the new AWESOME sig pic!!!
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Old 05-14-2010, 06:11 AM
Jp7 Jp7 is offline
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Default Re: Scangauge Coolant Readings For Our 2.3

You have the newer 2.3 (since your truck is 2004+) I have the first generation DOHC engine - mine is a 2003. ECU changed for 2004+
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I'm dying to see this at night. Someone go tell the sun to give up already.
Quote:
Originally Posted by beef08 View Post
Your the man, you bring our dreams to a reality within the lighting spectrum
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Jp7 you always do AMAZING work! Hats off to you sir
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  #13  
Old 05-14-2010, 09:33 AM
Oh2Ranger Oh2Ranger is offline
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Default Re: Scangauge Coolant Readings For Our 2.3

I was not aware that the ECU changed in 2004, I thought it was just the MAF. Do you think that is why his readings are so low compared to ours (pre-2004?)

And if the ScanGauge is reading from the CHT, how hot is too hot for it? I heard that temps 260+ are subject to head damage.
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  #14  
Old 05-14-2010, 09:58 AM
DieHard4rd DieHard4rd is offline
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Default Re: Scangauge Coolant Readings For Our 2.3

My boss has an 02 Ranger 2.3L. He put the SG in his truck went he went across town today for a meeting. He said it never went over 200
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Old 05-14-2010, 12:27 PM
Oh2Ranger Oh2Ranger is offline
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Default Re: Scangauge Coolant Readings For Our 2.3

Snowball, thank you, that is very good information. Me being in the upper 200's then, something has to be wrong. I just hope I haven't done any damage thus far, I bought the truck last summer, and it's prob has been the same temp the entire time Ive owned it.. Stupid dummy gauge..

Any suggestions on what to do?
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