Not wanting it to be a head gasket

GlennSullivan said:

How are you tracking coolant temps, do you have an aftermarket gauge and sender?

Are you getting any codes at all? Do you have an advanced scanner that will show all Ford specific codes rather than the basic codes?

I keep thinking not enough coolant flow between the engine and radiator. It is very unlikely, but is possible there is some kind of blockage somewhere in the cooling system, limiting flow.

Try running the truck at load (the point where you see higher temps) with both the front and rear heat set on on high temp and high fan and all windows open. This will essentially expand the size of your radiator. First take note if the both heaters are putting out very hot air, indicating good coolant flow and then if this helps control the engine temp. If you get a lot of hot air and it lowers engine temp, it would indicate not enough enough coolant flow moving through the primary flow circuit. If you don't get very hot air, that would indicate not enough coolant moving through the system at all.

Besides a cooling system pressure test, you can also do a static compression and leak down test to get a better feel for the status of the head gasket, head and block.

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tekrsq said:

I have an SCT X4 plugged into the OBDII port AND an aftermarket temp gauge on my A pillar. Both gauges read within 4 degrees of each other. The X4 does not indicate any stored codes. I have an older version of FORSCAN, but I haven't hooked it up because I didn't know if it would show me anymore than the X4.

I have not done a compression or leak down test because I don't have the tools for it, and the shops want a small fortune for those tests on this engine. Not surprising after the amount I paid having the plugs changed last year.

I'll try to do the heater test over the weekend, and see what happens. But this thing has never had "hot" heat. It's fairly warm, but even after having both heater cores replaced right after getting the truck, it's never been as hot as other vehicles I have had.

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GlennSullivan said:

Do you have a tune in the engine? If so, also try going back to stock.

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Gary Waugh said:

I réalisé i am late to the party, but why not run a cylinder compression tester on each cylinder to see if you have low compression (possibly failed head gasket)? You are all talking about error codes and pressure testing the cooling system, but why not check the cylinders first. Is a cheap and simple test? What am I missing ?

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Fastcar said:

A mechanical temp gauge might tell you more than the factory one.

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GlennSullivan said:

The OP already has an aftermarket gauge as well as SCT X4

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Fastcar said:

Is said gauge mech.?

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tekrsq said:

Electrical, with the sensor placed in the crossover tube on the intake manifold.

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