Hey guys, I have a 2001 2.3 duratec, 120k miles on the engine, no CEL. Recently I replaced the electronic thermostat with a new electronic version, and also the CHT sensor with the shorter version (only thing that's available new).

The gauge on my dash doesn't get above the first tick mark. My scanner (BlueDriver) reads the Engine Coolant Temp around 220-225 (seems hot if it's ECT, cool if it's CHT) after driving about 10 minutes and holds there. The lower radiator hose does not warm up (not sure how normal this is).

1. Is the "Engine Coolant Temp" reading from my scanner actually the CHT reading? I know I have the ECT sender (the dash gauge), the CHT sensor, but I've seen conflicting information on whether the 01-03 duratec rangers have ECT sensors or not. What would the point of having an ECT sensor be if there is a CHT sensor used by the ECU?

2. Is it normal for my lower radiator hose to be cool after driving? I know its supposed to have cooler coolant through it since its after the radiator, but I'd expect it to at least be slightly warm.

3. Do the shorter CHT sensors read cooler temps than the originals? I hate that the oem length ones aren't available anymore.

I think I'll go ahead and try replacing the sender and see if that gets the dash gauge up to normal. I'm a little confused whether I'm actually underheating, if I'm overheating, or if everything is normal and I should stop worrying about it.

 

Yes, the 2001 2.3l will have a Coolant Temp Sender for dash board temp gauge, its behind the valve cover next to firewall, 12volt sender
Not a 5volt ECT sensor
I think in 2006 or 2007 Ford dropped the Temp Senders in most Rangers, and had computer run the dash temp gauge, using ECT or CHT whichever the engine used

Yes, the CHTs read hot and yes that is what OBD2 readers see, 225-250degF are normal on 2.3l from what I have read
No idea on what different length CHTs would change???

All radiators are there for EXTRA heat dissipation, so may or may not be used(have flow) depending on how much heat the engine is generating and how much heat is dissipated from the hoses and engine assembly, 2.3l has quite a few hoses running around engine bay and they all "bleed heat" and is an aluminum block and head

2.3l uses a Lower hose thermostat so it will be set at 180degF to open, which means the upper engine coolant will need to be at 195-200degF before it opens
Ford dash temp gauge has 205degF as its center point, 1/2 way, so you should see just below 1/2 after 5-8min warm up, from the Temp Sender

See if you can borrow an infrared thermometer device, and test upper engine hoses, not upper rad hose, after warm up, upper engine coolant should be 185-195degF in normal operation

 

Thanks for your reply, Ron. I replaced the coolant temp sender and now all is well. The gauge gets up to a bit under half way after 5-10 minutes now, instead of remaining at the first tick. That was quite a pain to replace, but I feel much more confident in my cooling system now that I can see a somewhat accurate temp