I did some testing on my 07 FE yesterday. Temps were in the mid 90's *F, the air conditioning was on full blast. Flat highway, no traffic to speak of, top speed of 78 MPH. Temp gauge went all the way through the red zone and hit the line on the other side within a few mins of getting on the freeway.
Slowed down to 60-65 mph and within 2-3 seconds, the temp gauge was below the half way mark. I cannot imagine the engine coolant shedding or dumping that much heat in that amount of time, so I am doing some trouble shooting to determine what may be the culprit. If the thermostat were sticking, the temps would not come back down under half mark. Same for obstruction in or on radiator, etc.
Dealer says EGR plate style cooler, faulty gauge or new radiator are his top three choices for fault.
We don't have physical vehicle inspections where the truck is registered and there are no emissions inspecitions for diesel trucks, so if there is a safe way to do it, I am keen to rip the whole damn thing off and toss it in the scrap bin.
Some one please try and follow me and see if this makes sense cause it is 3am my time.
Where is the temp sensor for the coolant gauge on the dash?
Is it possibly right beside the rad cap?
What is prob the biggest restriction with the whole engine that makes the most amount of heat?
Sure seems like the micro turbo.
Where does the coolant from the super heated turbo return to?
Could it be plumbed directly into the rad cap housing where the sensor is?
Maybe the engine is not getting super hot just the gauge thinks it is cause of the placement of it to relation to the turbo coolant return.
Could explain why the coolant seems to drop so fast when you let off.