Hello everyone!

recently just replaced my thermostat housing, thermostat, crossover tube and bypass hose. No leaks from that area and everything went smooth. I did notice it took longer to warm up than usual. Estimated 12 minutes to fully warm up from completely cold, light driving. I got instant heat, ran the fans full speed everything worked flawlessly. Both radiator hoses are warm, etc. The upper hose that goes into the cross over pipe is hotter than the lower one if that means anything? ( I’m still learning about my 308 and cars in general ). During this processing I’m flushing the system so as of now I only have distilled water and the old coolant still left in the system. Driving for 15 and then waiting to drain / fill again.

edit: I do have a small coolant leak that I’ll get to next week on the three way connector under the throttle body. Coolant drops every 10 seconds or so if that affects the temp at all?

Three way connector leak, bubbles out from the top hose.

 

Does both lower radiator hoses get warm at the same time? If not, thermostat works ok. If they do, thermostat is faulty,

 

Just 1 month ago I ordered thermostat AJ86484 (I'd assume that is your thermostat as well?) just in case I need it in the future.
I made very sure that the part, which I would receive, has an opening temperature of 84°C.
So if you have just installed a thermostat designed with a different opening temperature, this could be the answer to your question...

 

I ordered the euro spare 84c, AJ8006484

 

​​I would go OEM or motorcraft RT1154
all other brands have some issues I tried various brands even my other cars motorad is headache.
The motorcraft is for the Lincoln LS V8 version works great and not expensive well made

 

The top one got warmer before the lower. Lower didn’t get hot until the engine reached normal operating temp.

 

Could it be the new coolant temp sensor that came with the new crossover pipe?