Engine Temperature During Steep Climbs

[CedarEden]

On a recent Thanksgiving trip to North Carolina, I noticed my oil temperature spiked while climbing the Blue Ridge Mountains in Tennessee. Well, actually, I noticed after I stopped at the welcome center and when I restarted my truck it roared like crazy to cool down the engine that sat full of heat while I took my break. So then as I was driving, I watched the engine temp gauge closely and notice it was around 210-220º when normally it runs about 196º. I suppose this is normal, I just never noticed driving around the Adirondack mountains where I live since the change in elevation is more gradual. The engine temperature never got close to being redlined but it was a new experience for me. Driving up the steep mountains, with the turbo boost at 10+ PSI, things heated up.

I think the lesson learned was not to pull off at a high altitude rest area after a long climb and just shut off the engine since all that heat had nowhere to go. I thought there were electric fans that would continue running but I didn't hear any. I guess what concerned me is the ambient temperature was fairly low - maybe I think around 50º F.

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[PB2021]

Your best bet here is to let it idle a few minutes before shut down. Easiest way I’ve found to do this on Powerboost is once parked put truck in tow/haul mode, set parking brake, put shifter in neutral and engage the manual shift button. You can now exit without the truck shifting to park and shutting down. You can lock and walk away and truck will sit and idle.

 

[JohnTrigger]

If you run the air conditioner, the grille shutters on front will open and the temp won’t spike so high during the climb. I know, this makes no sense if you are old school. Old school you’d run the heater to help dissipate heat. But in this case, your shutters were closed likely because it helps a bit with fuel mileage (supposedly, at least for CAFE standards I’m sure it does). AC opens them up. Yes, you get colder in the cabin but you can set the temp higher too.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

The load on the engine during the climb, as the BOOST is what rose the engine temp. 220 really isn’t a concern, it’s rather normal during towing or a heavy load.

do you remember what gear you’re in climbing up the hill?

The boost is really the factor that spike the ancient temp

 

[Samson16]

Step on the gas and destroy the mountains! Get out in the clean air

Not your cup of tea?

Tow/haul mode is wonderful at gear selection and minimizing turbo usage even when you’re not towing or hauling

 

[Xman]

Cedar, do you have a front license plate?

If so try this. I haven't had any issues climbing mountains in Wyoming at similar temperatures.

(40) Alternative Front License Plate Location for Eco-Boosts. | F150gen14 -- 2021+ Ford F-150, Tremor, Raptor Forum (14th Gen) | News, Owners, Community, Discussions

 

[TheGoatman]

I wouldn’t alter my behavior. Pretty sure the coolant circulates even after the engines off. Fans on after restart isn’t anything to worry about.

 

[MikeNH]

As others have said, when you run the AC, the shutters open and the fan kicks on (though the benefit of this is likely minimal on the highway) which keeps temps lower. Otherwise, it seems like on my truck (2.7 just to be clear) the cooling system will allow it to go to 215 or so I think and then I assume the shutters open and it immediately will cool down. Going from memory as it has been quite cool here lately so the engine has stayed cool anyhow.

 

[SomebodyInGNV]

... Pretty sure the coolant circulates even after the engines off. ...

Is it open enough to flow passively? (That's a question, not a challenge to your statement.)

 

[TheGoatman]

Is it open enough to flow passively? (That's a question, not a challenge to your statement.)

That’s what I’m thinking. I don’t know for sure but sometimes you can hear gurgles and action from it while off..seems promising

 

[SomebodyInGNV]

That’s what I’m thinking. I don’t know for sure ...

Do you have professional knowledge of the topic, such as ASE certification?

 

[JumboJVT]

SOP with a diesel: idle until temps drop to an acceptable range after a pull. Turbos get hot. Keeping the fluids (collant & oil) moving until things have cooled a bit is a good idea. I even do this with ATV's, snowmobiles, etc that have no turbos. Thought everyone did.

 

[TheGoatman]

It’s a powerboost. It turns off all the time.

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