How hot does the upper radiator hose get? Gen 1 1994 Lightning

[scootro]

1994 Ford lightning

How hot does the upper radiator hose get? It feels super hot to me and lower hose isnt hot. But my truck isn't over heating in 85 degree weather and my temp gauge barely reaches to "N". Maybe I'm panicking over nothing but that upper radiator hose is super hot to the touch.

I've got
..180 degree thermostat
..13 pound radiator cap
..A free flowing water pump and radiator
..a new temp sensor

[BradM]

I don't know.

[scootro]

thanks brad

[BradM]

thanks brad

You got it, bro.

[JC316]

Upper hose is always way hotter than the lower. Get an IR thermometer if it's really bothering you.

[scootro]

Upper hose is always way hotter than the lower. Get an IR thermometer if it's really bothering you.

will do i guess

[Craizie]

It's gotta be at least 180 degrees.

[scootro]

It's gotta be at least 180 degrees.

i guess i should've put a 160 in it! i checked and thats the oem is 160

[shumpertdavid]

I'd find it hard to believe that 160 is oem for anything epa regulated but it's pre obd2 so I guess it's possible. There are some vehicles that have a 180 thermostat factory but they put the thermostat in the lower hose to block mounting and the vehicle will still run in the 200 degree range. The hotter you can safely run the engine the more efficient it will be. Colder isn't necessary better. If your gauge isn't showing its running hot and you have no symptoms of runni g hot, leave it be and quit worrying about it.

[scootro]

I'd find it hard to believe that 160 is oem for anything epa regulated but it's pre obd2 so I guess it's possible. There are some vehicles that have a 180 thermostat factory but they put the thermostat in the lower hose to block mounting and the vehicle will still run in the 200 degree range. The hotter you can safely run the engine the more efficient it will be. Colder isn't necessary better. If your gauge isn't showing its running hot and you have no symptoms of runni g hot, leave it be and quit worrying about it.

thank you! I'm not worried anymore i figured out my problem. O'Reilly Auto Parts sold me a bad thermostat

yes 160 degree is stock but I've been running 180 for years







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[shumpertdavid]

Both my Oreilly First Call and Napa ProLink show 192 to be oe recommended temp with 180 and 160 being optional lower temp thermostats. Like I said, not saying 160 can't be factory, but 23 years experience in auto repair with modern factory fuel injection says that it is highly unlikely.

[scootro]

Both my Oreilly First Call and Napa ProLink show 192 to be oe recommended temp with 180 and 160 being optional lower temp thermostats. Like I said, not saying 160 can't be factory, but 23 years experience in auto repair with modern factory fuel injection says that it is highly unlikely.

hmmm it could be david