Powerboost Overheated while Towing

[SRMD]

Interestingly, I went on a longer trip today with my 6500lb (loaded) TT. I was mostly on flat ground with VERY small hill’s occasionally (maybe 100ft elevation change over 1/2 mile). Towing in 8th gear, tow haul mode, I saw my coolant temp get up to 228, which surprised me for such a benign climb at close to sea level (<500 ft elevation) and 80 F ambient temp, 64 mph. It certainly cooled off quickly, but I was not pushing this truck at all and almost no boost, maybe 2-3 psi. Trans stayed around 220F.

I am planning a trip to Montana next summer for 2 weeks. Much higher mountains and certainly a heavier load ( maybe 7K lbs). I am a bit nervous after this very benign tow.

Sponsored

 

[Snakebitten]

Remember that 8th gear is Overdrive.
And although 228F is not a dangerous temperature in this truck, next time you see 228F in 8th, I bet you are pushing constant boost.

Drop to 7th gear and see if temps drop for you. Don't be afraid to spool this 3.5 Ecoboost motor. It can take the RPM's. It's not fragile.

 

[HammaMan]

Trans cooler than coolant temp? Seems a little odd. Where are you getting the "coolant" temp value from? Curious what those grille shutters are up to under these conditions.

 

[Snakebitten]

Even if those grill shutters are wide open, if you get a good headwind and running in Overdrive pulling a parachute, I wouldn't be surprised to see a sustained 4-7psi of boost.
That's a significant heat dump right near the coolant temp sensor on the 3.5 Ecoboost.

Drop to 7th, boost drops 3 or 4lbs, water pump flow increases with rpms, and wallah. ECT's drop out of the 220's.

I've been on the Ecoboost forum for years and done a fair share of towing through the Rockies. In warm/hot ambients, RPM's is your friend on the 3.5.
There are some grades that with that motor you sometimes just have to back out of it too, if the circumstances line up and are more than the cooling stack can manage. But 228F is far from limp mode, so there's still room to work with.

 

[Atlee]

Interestingly, I went on a longer trip today with my 6500lb (loaded) TT. I was mostly on flat ground with VERY small hill’s occasionally (maybe 100ft elevation change over 1/2 mile). Towing in 8th gear, tow haul mode, I saw my coolant temp get up to 228, which surprised me for such a benign climb at close to sea level (<500 ft elevation) and 80 F ambient temp, 64 mph. It certainly cooled off quickly, but I was not pushing this truck at all and almost no boost, maybe 2-3 psi. Trans stayed around 220F.

I am planning a trip to Montana next summer for 2 weeks. Much higher mountains and certainly a heavier load ( maybe 7K lbs). I am a bit nervous after this very benign tow.

When I'm towing, I always lock out #8, 9 & 10. This cuts out most use of turbos. And if the turbos aren't spinning, fuel mileage is better.

 

[HammaMan]

Happened to scroll through the thread and it stood out to me just how much that front plate obstructs the intercooler. Talk about shitty placement for the LP!

 

[Atlee]

Happened to scroll through the thread and it stood out to me just how much that front plate obstructs the intercooler. Talk about shitty placement for the LP!

Wonder why Ford moved the plate there? When Ford first introduced the ecoboost engine, the front plate was attached to the side of the intercooler hole. This is my MY14 truck.

 

[SRMD]

Using TurboPilot’s OBDLink screen. I kept a close eye on trans and ECT as I was trying to set a baseline on flat ground with this loaded TT.

it seems that the coolant temp increases more quickly than the trans temp. I was watching boost and I was almost never in it. Highest boost I saw was 4psi.

if I can figure out how to set up the data log for both of those parameters before the trip home, that would be beneficial.

I think I will remove the front plate holder on the way home and see if that matters. I still believe an Alf school plate transmission cooler in the front of the engine would provide a significant benefit to the transmission temp. An EGT monitor would be helpful too. I had one on my old 12V Cummins to help ensure I was not over stressing the engine during heavy tow events.

 

[SRMD]

Remember that 8th gear is Overdrive.
And although 228F is not a dangerous temperature in this truck, next time you see 228F in 8th, I bet you are pushing constant boost.

Drop to 7th gear and see if temps drop for you. Don't be afraid to spool this 3.5 Ecoboost motor. It can take the RPM's. It's not fragile.

I will experiment with this on the way home. I left it in 8th because I was running no boost most of the time and figured fuel mileage would be better.

 

[Samson16]

You’re POS Ram couldn’t handle the tongue weight.

 

[Samson16]

ECT's drop out of the 220's.

Isn't 220 still in the normal range?
What triggers limp mode again?

 

[Samson16]

I think you're doing everything right, the truck will limit speed if the temps get too high. Sounds like you're having the same issue as TFL Trucks YouTube channel a couple of years ago. I don't believe they've added a transmission cooler. You may be seeing the turbo heat exchanger. You may be able to add a transmission cooler to your setup.

(1) Here Is Why My Ford F-150 Hybrid Overheated on the Ike Gauntlet! - YouTube

It was actually the Vail Pass when limp mode occurred and that goofball driver guy never checked the gauges just kept it floored. Flooring a PB wasn't a clue to him apparently.

 

[astrand1]

Happened to scroll through the thread and it stood out to me just how much that front plate obstructs the intercooler. Talk about shitty placement for the LP!

Another of many reasons for living in Michigan. Only one plate. ??

 

[Samson16]

Another of many reasons for living in Michigan. Only one plate. ??

Florida too!

 

[Snakebitten]

Isn't 220 still in the normal range?
What triggers limp mode again?

Don't quote me, but I think limp mode is 254F on the Gen2 3.5 Ecoboost (2017-2020)

I don't know if that carries over to the Gen3 3.5. I think I read somewhere that someone experienced a milder limp at 245F on a Gen14 3.5 Ecoboost? Gentler, in that it still allowed 55mph.

Sponsored