2.7 Bronco Oil temps

[LSW]

My family has two 2.7 Broncos, one OBX non-Sasq with the 4.27 gears and a Wildtrak.

For some reason the wildtrak is always around 180 but the outer banks runs about 210 on oil temps in the same conditions, same speeds. I am wondering what causes difference. Normal variance in sensor accuracy? More airflow under the Wildtrak since it rides higher? Something to do with gearing and RPM? They’ve both been using the same oil. They both have about 20,000 miles.

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[Ducati1098]

Lots of variables. Neither temperature is abnormal.

 

[shadowfax]

Is anything blocking airflow to the radiator area?

Moving the license plate from the factory position brought my temps down to the 180's from 200's.

 

[LSW]

Is anything blocking airflow to the radiator area?

Moving the license plate from the factory position brought my temps down to the 180's from 200's.

Maybe that’s it? The OBX came with the front license plate holder and the Wildtrak doesn’t have it.

 

[KABQ]

Basically all of the above, but I don't think I've seen above 220. My temps may be higher due to elevation and New Mexico summer temperatures, plus 37s.

I had an old water-cooled VW Vanagon for many years. It liked to run hot (both oil and coolant) on road trips at 5,000-9,500 ft ASL in 90-110°F OAT. It worried me so much that I installed a colder thermostat and a coolant temp gauge, as well as an override switch to turn the cooling fan on manually.

I was scared that it would overheat every trip I took in it. I would get into temps I personally wasn't comfortable with, so I'd pull over and let things cool down for a bit. It definitely extended my drive time, but I thought it was worth it to protect the engine...

Until I met an old guy who'd been driving early water-cooled VWs forever. He asked, "have you ever a temp light?" I hadn't. "Then what are you worried about? It'll warn you before it hurts itself." He claimed to have half-a-million miles in old Volkswagens without blowing one up, so why would I stress myself out when everything was fine?

Take this story as you will, it's about old VWs not modern Fords. But my takeaway was this: I had needlessly caused myself a bunch of stress and cost a lot of time and sweat, basically ruining road trips because I didn't understand what was normal for those engines. Being aware of your temps is a good thing, letting them ruin your trip even though they're normal is not.

 

[LSW]

Basically all of the above, but I don't think I've seen above 220. My temps may be higher due to elevation and New Mexico summer temperatures, plus 37s.

I had an old water-cooled VW Vanagon for many years. It liked to run hot (both oil and coolant) on road trips at 5,000-9,500 ft ASL in 90-110°F OAT. It worried me so much that I installed a colder thermostat and a coolant temp gauge, as well as an override switch to turn the cooling fan on manually.

I was scared that it would overheat every trip I took in it. I would get into temps I personally wasn't comfortable with, so I'd pull over and let things cool down for a bit. It definitely extended my drive time, but I thought it was worth it to protect the engine...

Until I met an old guy who'd been driving early water-cooled VWs forever. He asked, "have you ever a temp light?" I hadn't. "Then what are you worried about? It'll warn you before it hurts itself." He claimed to have half-a-million miles in old Volkswagens without blowing one up, so why would I stress myself out when everything was fine?

Take this story as you will, it's about old VWs not modern Fords. But my takeaway was this: I had needlessly caused myself a bunch of stress and cost a lot of time and sweat, basically ruining road trips because I didn't understand what was normal for those engines. Being aware of your temps is a good thing, letting them ruin your trip even though they're normal is not.

yeah, fair point. I’m not really worried about it, just curious why almost the exact same vehicle would have a 15% oil temp difference. Maybe that’s why they took the numbers off the new ‘25+ digital dash and just went to a C - H gauge. See no evil, hear no evil. I’m sure it is inconsequential at the end of the day.

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