Normal Operating Temperature

What is the normal operating temperature for a Ranger 4.0L engine. I have a '99 Ranger and although I don't have cooling problems I'm just curious what the normal operating temperature is. My stat is 185 degrees. I have an add on temperature gauge which reads actual coolant water temperature in degrees and mine reads 200 degrees after warm up no matter what the outside temperature is. On a sustained uphill drive, the temperature may go up 15 degrees but returns to 200 after leveling off. I understand that too low of an operating temperature is as undesirable as too high.

Your still have a coolant temp sensor/ Ford may call it a cylinder head temp sensor? Any problems should set a trouble code. As long as your system is going into closed loop, I don't see a problem. If your not going into closed loop, your fuel system will run rich.

My info says your radiator cap is rated 13--18 psi. Your thermostat starts to open at 183--190. Fully open at 210 degrees F.

at the moment, I don't see a problem.

That's all I need to know. Thanks