Temp Gage Functioning? And Overheating?

[emesel]

I have 2019 Ranger w factory tow pkg. I tow 4500 pound trailer. Never had problem until Rocky Mountains; had "engine overheated" message pop up 3 - 4 times. I tow with towing feature activated. Only overheated going uphill with trailer, rpm approx 3500. When engine cold, temp indicator is at bottom, then incrementally goes up to normal (middle). When it overheated, indicator jumped to top, then a minute later when it cooled a bit it jumped back to normal.
Dealer replaced thermostat and cylinder head temp sensor.
Questions:
1) Is it normal for temp indicator to jump from normal to max and then jump back when cooled?
2) Do I have a cooling problem, or is 4500 pound trailer in Rocky Mountsins too much? (I'm 2500 pounds under GCWR, 3000 under max tow rating.)
Thanks. Mark

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[D Fresh]

That's definately not too much to tow.

Sounds like you had a cooling problem.

 

[Frenchy]

Since the factory tow rating is 7500 LBS with the tow package you are definitely within tow specifications. I am curious as to where you were when towing? From my own experience towing here in the Colorado Rockies the Ranger can over heat if going to fast up a steep grade while towing. The more I can understand your conditions the better it will help

 

[Friday yet?]

From my own experience towing here in the Colorado Rockies the Ranger can over heat if going to fast up a steep grade while towing

Would be interested in hearing more about your experience. Seems like all I've ever read is something to the effect of "Ford really got the cooling system dialed in on the Ranger."

 

[Frenchy]

Would be interested in hearing more about your experience. Seems like all I've ever read is something to the effect of "Ford really got the cooling system dialed in on the Ranger."

It was about 3 years ago. I was taking my toolbox from Silverthorn to Salida. I went through Fremont pass Wich has a pretty steep grade for a few miles. I had the Tow Tune From Livernoise installed at the time and the trailer with tools was about 3000 LBS as a Guess. I was moving a good speed(more then what Ford recommended) and from what I remember the most was the transmission getting pretty hot. After I got to the top it started to cool down. The engine temps may have went a little high as well but It has been about 3 years.

 

[airline tech]

Your description of temp gauge jumping indicates air in the cooling system.
So, not properly bled after T-Stat change.
The jumping gauge - is the air pockets.

Now if it was a normal slow climb to overheat this would be ruled out.

Was the T-Stat replaced for the exact problem you are having?

The only thing I can think of that ties into this is the Cooling Fan, as the speed is controlled by inputs from the ECT, Trans Temp - so under a load it should spin faster to overcome the extra heat being created.

 

[Jason B]

Your description of temp gauge jumping indicates air in the cooling system.
So, not properly bled after T-Stat change.
The jumping gauge - is the air pockets.

Now if it was a normal slow climb to overheat this would be ruled out.

Was the T-Stat replaced for the exact problem you are having?

The only thing I can think of that ties into this is the Cooling Fan, as the speed is controlled by inputs from the ECT, Trans Temp - so under a load it should spin faster to overcome the extra heat being created.

I had the same thing happen on a previous vehicle. Guage showed normal, then jumped to high temp, then back to normal. When I saw this happen, I knew I was low on coolant (truck had 360K miles and slow leak).

 

[IdahoRanger]

Doing my first towing Wednesday so just switched from the Livernois performance tune to the towing tune. Picking up some furniture in a 5x8 covered trailer so I will pay attention to the temp gauge.

 

[Frenchy]

Doing my first towing Wednesday so just switched from the Livernois performance tune to the towing tune. Picking up some furniture in a 5x8 covered trailer so I will pay attention to the temp gauge.

I usually had the following on the Livernoise screen, Coolant Temp, Cylinder Head Temp, Transmission Temp, Intake air temp

 

[IdahoRanger]

I usually had the following on the Livernoise screen, Coolant Temp, Cylinder Head Temp, Transmission Temp, Intake air temp

Thanks

 

[Wings06j]

I don't think it's a factor here but did want to point out this little Note from the owners manual:

• Reduce the stipulated permitted gross combination mass by 3% for every additional 1000 ft (300 m) in high altitude regions above 1000 ft (300 m).

 

[Frenchy]

I don't think it's a factor here but did want to point out this little Note from the owners manual:

• Reduce the stipulated permitted gross combination mass by 3% for every additional 1000 ft (300 m) in high altitude regions above 1000 ft (300 m).

Just in case you are wondering Ford did testing at max capacity at the high altitude of the Colorado Rockies.

 

[emesel]

Since the factory tow rating is 7500 LBS with the tow package you are definitely within tow specifications. I am curious as to where you were when towing? From my own experience towing here in the Colorado Rockies the Ranger can over heat if going to fast up a steep grade while towing. The more I can understand your conditions the better it will help

It first happened 9 miles east of Butte, MT. I pulled over, had leak in coolant reservoir. Dealer in Butte replaced reservoir and cap, and adjusted coolant concentration (I had added water to get to Butte). Then drove to Olympic NP. Overheated about 30-40 miles east of Seattle on steep grade. Couldn't find dealer in Washington, so on my way to Jasper NP I stopped in Kamloops and that's where the dealer replaced the thermostat and temp sensor. He said he wasn't sure that would fix it, but he said fan was working and there were no combustion gasses in the coolant. He also didnt think there were enough bugs in the radiator to cause problems. He said hes seen thermostats go bad after overheating. I went from Kamloops to Jasper without problems, but there weren't long, steep grades. Jasper to Banff it overheated once going up a steep grade. After that I took it easy on the grades and didn't have a problem.
I've had this setup 4 years and I've passed trucks going 65 mph uphill in the Catskills, Cabot Trail (14% grade, but relatively short) and Rte 77 in W Virginia, which is a long grade.
I just want to know if this is normal or not, and I also want to know if the temp gage jumping from normal to "H" is normal.
When I get back to Massachusetts in a few weeks, if I bring it to a dealer, I won't know if he's fixed it until next time I tow ... it doesn't happen when not towing, and it only happens on steep grades.
Thanks very much for your input.
Mark

 

[emesel]

Just in case you are wondering Ford did testing at max capacity at the high altitude of the Colorado Rockies.

Thanks. I did see that in the manual. I believe I'm still under the load considering that.

 

[emesel]

I don't think it's a factor here but did want to point out this little Note from the owners manual:

• Reduce the stipulated permitted gross combination mass by 3% for every additional 1000 ft (300 m) in high altitude regions above 1000 ft (300 m).

Thanks

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