New Motor. Is this normal?

[jedross86]

Hi,

Recently had my motor replaced (new block). I have put ~600 miles on it. I know motors run a bit hotter during break in. When driving on the highway, the coolant will blip about 225...up to 234 at times and then quickly gets below 225 again. I'll change the oil in another ~200 miles.

Engine fans are running more than usual at idle. It's been hotter out but I read ambient temps dont have much of an impact on coolant temps.

Is this normal or is it likely there are air bubbles in my coolant?

 

[HILLY]

Question if the T-stat was replaced during the job. When they go bad they'll be inconsistent.

I would also be concerned if the coolant system was vacuum filled so as to not have air blocks in the line. That would cause temperature swings.

 

[dr2024]

Even if the thermostat were changed, perhaps good to put it back on the troubleshooting checklist.

New components (like thermostats) often have a small but non-zero infant mortality rate.

 

[MrMcPunk]

There's an updated Thermostat from Ford. Could be that or it could also be that the coolant wasn't properly burped/topped off during the installation. You also might have to lift up the front end to get the radiator a little higher than the Heater Core to get all the air out completely.

 

[MrMcPunk]

My 2018 Expedition Max was running those temperatures when the transmission was going out. The updated thermostat helped keep the system cooler.