Oops, I let out a small detail. The 7.3 and 6.0 are both HEUI engines, but different manufactures for the fuel system.
Thatwouldbegreat, I agree that in most cases diesel do not run "hot" even in hot ambient weather. The 7.3 has a fairly good sized oil cooler and decent sump capacity, it really takes some severe conditions to get one hot. Sump temps are usually around 175*F under light to moderate load and increase to maybe 225*F until the heavier load is removed, then they'll cool off again. Sump temps should be close to coolant temps, if there is a significant delta the oil cooler maybe plugged or a cooling system problem.
The truck being a 2004 will have the gold Ford coolant which is supposed to be maintenance free. There is, of course, a lot of debate about how long to run this coolant and the proper servicing techniques. I drained all the Ford gold coolant and refilled with a HD longlife coolant with the correct SCA. I use whatever is on sale at work when I order a drum. Last time was CAT, but I've used Int'l and others. I recommend testing and adding the correct SCA for the coolant type on any diesel. The gold coolant in that 7.3 (they switched in 2002 IIRC) is the same stuff used in gassers, it was cheaper for Ford to use one coolant in everything.
Thatwouldbegreat, I agree that in most cases diesel do not run "hot" even in hot ambient weather. The 7.3 has a fairly good sized oil cooler and decent sump capacity, it really takes some severe conditions to get one hot. Sump temps are usually around 175*F under light to moderate load and increase to maybe 225*F until the heavier load is removed, then they'll cool off again. Sump temps should be close to coolant temps, if there is a significant delta the oil cooler maybe plugged or a cooling system problem.
The truck being a 2004 will have the gold Ford coolant which is supposed to be maintenance free. There is, of course, a lot of debate about how long to run this coolant and the proper servicing techniques. I drained all the Ford gold coolant and refilled with a HD longlife coolant with the correct SCA. I use whatever is on sale at work when I order a drum. Last time was CAT, but I've used Int'l and others. I recommend testing and adding the correct SCA for the coolant type on any diesel. The gold coolant in that 7.3 (they switched in 2002 IIRC) is the same stuff used in gassers, it was cheaper for Ford to use one coolant in everything.