Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Engine temps when towing

[DNewell]

Hey gang, it's been some time since I've been on here, primarily because I've ironed out all the problems with my truck, and it's been doing very well. However, after going out to do some camping about two weeks ago, a new problem(or so I think) cropped up that needs to be addressed.

The ambient air temperature was probably around 75-80. I was following my relatives towing my 5er. We were pulling a grade that was probably around 5-6%, maybe slightly steeper. I was pushing the truck a little bit in 4th and driving to the EGT's. I ended up shifting down to 3rd, and kept my eyes on the EGT's to ensure they were'nt creeping up. I looked down at the engine temp gauge, and I almost crapped!!! The needle was still in the normal range, but it was on the high side of normal.

My question is this, when towing heavy loads( I was most likely grossed out at about 19k) will the temp gauge ride on the high side of normal when pulling hills without overheating? I haven't ever heard what the norms are for these rigs. I went and purchased a new thermostat and some new coolant, but was just a little curious.

Thank you all for any guidance that you may offer!!!

 

[TMills]

I'm not sure if you have relocated your oil catch bottle, but that could be some of your problem if you haven't. You will need to run a tube to 6" below the frame and then remove the radiator and clean it. You will be amazed at what you will find. I did this to my truck because of a similar circumstances.



Todd

 

[klaybus]

Check the front of your radiator for oil blow-by. My truck started running warm & I looked across the front of the radiator & it appeared to be bearded... . Lotsa crap on the front side. I typically see *190 + a needles width in warm ambient temps pulling snoqualmie at 63 mph +-. Keep us posted with what you find.



Clay



apparently posted while Tmills was posting... .

 

[dnesbitt3]

I suggest the same things... .



I just returned from a trip out west - Colorado Rockies - we grossed 19,920 lbs pulling our 34 ft Montana f'ver. In preperation for the trip I pulled the radiator and took it to the local car wash and pressure washed it (externally). It was unbelievable how much stuff came out. As an added precaution I replaced the fan clutch as I was convinced that it had quit working a long time ago.



I pulled a grade coming out of Glenwood Canyon CO with the Comp set on 1 and kept the EGT's below 1100 for about 6-7 minutes. Water temp krept up to the mark above 190 (220-225??) and never went above. Fan Clutch did its thing as well. I have a new respect for mountains (coming from the East Coast) as the Rockies are simply magnificant. The exhaust brake was a welcome peace of mind as well.



We averaged 10 mpg while pulling the mountains, 11-12 mpg while cruising the flatter interstates at 65-70 mph. Worst mileage - 9 mpg pulling into a 40 mph head/cross wind across Oklahoma (btw 3. 54 rear end gear). Very pleased with the old 2500 - on a more humerous note we also learned that 300 hp at sea level is a lot different at 10-12,000 ft - lets just say the ole 5. 9 seemed a little out of breath on the the low end.



Clean the radiator and monitor your EGT's and Water temps, you'll be fine.

 

[DNewell]

Thank you for this reply. I've got a pressure washer at home, I may have to pull the radiator and spray the snit out of it. I'm going to get started on it tonight, and probably finish up tomorrow. I've never personally cleaned it myself, but most likely a good idea. I've got a system flush thing from prestone, but don't know whether this stuff would work or not, or maybe hurt something...

My gauge didn't get to the high end of the mid mark, I just wasn't too sure if it's supposed to get this high. My father-in-laws gasser never moves off of mid mark, and my uncles runs right up to 225 and never moves from there. FIL is a Ford V-10, and uncles is a Chev with the small motor.

Also, I don't have a oil catch bottle. I've read all the posts on them, but just figure that it's one more thing that I have to pay attention to. Besides, I like marking my spot on the driveway...

I suggest the same things... .



I just returned from a trip out west - Colorado Rockies - we grossed 19,920 lbs pulling our 34 ft Montana f'ver. In preperation for the trip I pulled the radiator and took it to the local car wash and pressure washed it (externally). It was unbelievable how much stuff came out. As an added precaution I replaced the fan clutch as I was convinced that it had quit working a long time ago.



I pulled a grade coming out of Glenwood Canyon CO with the Comp set on 1 and kept the EGT's below 1100 for about 6-7 minutes. Water temp krept up to the mark above 190 (220-225??) and never went above. Fan Clutch did its thing as well. I have a new respect for mountains (coming from the East Coast) as the Rockies are simply magnificant. The exhaust brake was a welcome peace of mind as well.



We averaged 10 mpg while pulling the mountains, 11-12 mpg while cruising the flatter interstates at 65-70 mph. Worst mileage - 9 mpg pulling into a 40 mph head/cross wind across Oklahoma (btw 3. 54 rear end gear). Very pleased with the old 2500 - on a more humerous note we also learned that 300 hp at sea level is a lot different at 10-12,000 ft - lets just say the ole 5. 9 seemed a little out of breath on the the low end.



Clean the radiator and monitor your EGT's and Water temps, you'll be fine.

 

[dnesbitt3]

rinse that radiator out from both sides, its pretty easy to pull it out. I used it as an excuse to replace the hoses, t-stat, and serpentine belt. Takes 4 gallons to refill everything - I used the 50/50 from cummins/fleetguard



Good Luck.

 

[Tractorat]

Definitely clean off the radiator. But, take a look at your thermostat. My truck started running hot when towing up some steep grades a couple of years ago. Per all of the posts on the tdr, I cleaned and cleaned the radiator. Helped a little, but not enough. I finally just changed the thermostat (which is what I would have probably done first on a gasser). The needle now stays right in the middle. Even up the 7 and 8% grades that Ive pulled recently.

Just an idea



TRat

 

[DNewell]

yeah, I got 3 gallons of NAPA brand coolant, just have to mix it 50/50 and I also got a new T-stat. The belt is only about 4-5 months old, so that's already been done. I'll just pull the radiator out and get that hogged out. That's probably one of the best idea's that I haven't thought of just yet. This is actually going to be a fun job. I've been loving working on this rig, just hope that the petcock on the bottom of the radiator is not stuck, if there's even one on it...

 

[JMLambert]

I agree with the other's response. Do not forget to replace the radiator cap, cheep insurance and can cause a problem.

 

[NoSeeUm]

Clean your intercooler as well.



Jim

 

[dnesbitt3]

I just pulled the lower hose and let it drain (I have a big tub that I place below the truck that catches most of the coolant... .

 

[DNewell]

Well, just some follow up. I drained all the coolant and pulled the radiator. I used my power washer and cleaned the snot out of the radiator. I think I got too carried away on one small spot and bent a little section of the fins over, but no structure damage. This thing was filthy!!! It was completely filled in a couple of sections... I put a new t-stat in, but didn't do new cap. Probably should have. Oh well, put about 5 gallons of new back in and ran the **** out of it today in 90+ degree heat. I pulled the 5er up a 6% grade and kept it pinned in 4th, with EGT's running around 1150. I know that's hot, but it wasn't for an extended period of time. The temp gauge stayed right at 190, just slightly above. I hit the 70mph section and ran it up to about 75 or so, grossed out at around 18500, and the temp was perfect!!! Thanks gang for all the advice, this really saved my bacon, and that of my trucks.

 

[zstroken]

When you guys pull this weight, around the 1900 mark, with my edge on a low setting the engine almost makes a knocking noise, It has done this forever, when I am away from home I worry about everything, would like to hear another engine pulling heavy at 1800 rpm.

 

[aviatorman]

I have an 02 HO with 6 spd and pull a 34 foot montana (14K ) truck is grossed at 20K and pulling grades 8 - 10% at 90 degrees, my water temp goes to the high side of normal (one needle past 190) and then my fan clutch kicks in and the temp immediately comes back to normal. Under these conditions my boost is at 21 and EGT 1150 to 1200. Sounds to me like you have a healthy engine.

 

[zstroken]

I meant 19000 mark, and actually hear what it sounds like pulling these loads.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Also, I don't have a oil catch bottle. I've read all the posts on them, but just figure that it's one more thing that I have to pay attention to. Besides, I like marking my spot on the driveway...

'98 trucks (12 and 24v) don't have the oil catch bottle, and the blowby hose is in the same place as the 12-valve trucks. . . towards the back of the engine on the driver's side. It was either the '99 or '00 model year Cummins moved the blowby hose to the front of the timing cover and added the pill bottle. This is what causes radiators to become caked with oily buildup since the bottle is near the radiator.

 

[DNewell]

'98 trucks (12 and 24v) don't have the oil catch bottle, and the blowby hose is in the same place as the 12-valve trucks. . . towards the back of the engine on the driver's side. It was either the '99 or '00 model year Cummins moved the blowby hose to the front of the timing cover and added the pill bottle. This is what causes radiators to become caked with oily buildup since the bottle is near the radiator.

Actually, on mine, it's a 98. 5 24v and the blowby tube is right at the front of the engine. It looks kind of nasty on the end of it, but not too bad. I'm just going to leave it dangle. Not serious enough to bother trying to come up with some kind of remedy to catch the oil. Yeah, my driveway has a few spots on it, but a good pressure washing and some cement cleaner will work wonders. I'm just lazy, I guess.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

We've been away for about 10 days - so missed the beginning of this thread, and the originator learned the hard way what I would have cautioned...



Be VERY careful when using a pressure washer on radiator and similar cooling fins - it is possible to do significant damage to them under extremely high pressure, as the fins get bent out of shape and deformed - don't want to create a bigger problem than the one you're trying to fix!

 

[DNewell]

We've been away for about 10 days - so missed the beginning of this thread, and the originator learned the hard way what I would have cautioned...



Be VERY careful when using a pressure washer on radiator and similar cooling fins - it is possible to do significant damage to them under extremely high pressure, as the fins get bent out of shape and deformed - don't want to create a bigger problem than the one you're trying to fix!

Darn straight! I nearly shat myself when I started noticing the bent fins. Luckily for me, they were right on the backside right at the bottom. Only about one row, at about three inches long, was bent over(sounds nasty). My pressure washer was throwing a good spray, but all the sudden, it really started working and the pressure really jacked up. No structural damage, and no leaks(thank God!). All in all, I think that the moral of this thread is that everyone, ever three to four years, should pull their radiator and take it and have it cleaned. I know that I certainly will.

 

[Michael Hughes]

Thought I would post a picture of my radiator before I cleaned it this weekend. My A/C was working very well at idle.
Click on thumbnail for larger image.
<a href=http://thehugheslogcabin.net/images/radiator/15_15_41.jpg><image src=http://thehugheslogcabin.net/images/radiator/15_15_41_tn.jpg></a>