2011 4500 Overheating in 4th

[CUMMINZ]

Cumminz, plan on doing that monday, should be about 100%. . lol

One of the things my mechanic told me long ago was folks that had problems early on with their 6. 7Ls was their % of load was very low.



Like 80% at 10% load.



Mine always ran about 70% at 60%. Have him erase it when he prints it to give you a good starting point.

 

[BGlidewell]

One of the things my mechanic told me long ago was folks that had problems early on with their 6. 7Ls was their % of load was very low.



Like 80% at 10% load.



Mine always ran about 70% at 60%. Have him erase it when he prints it to give you a good starting point.

how is load calculated and on which models is it available?



TIA

 

[CUMMINZ]

It is done by the ECM and stored. My truck is early 07. 5 with 6. 7L. . All models after that.

 

[HBarlow]

Any good Dodge dealership service department with a trained Cummins tech can hook up the shop computer to the truck and read out operating parameters on any Dodge-Cummins.

 

[PLefever]

Update on the overheat issue, dealer hooked up the truck to the magic computer and couldn't find a thing, they contacted the service center and was told this: 2009 and up trucks are equipped with guages that read actual temps, there have been 174 temp complaints in this region, 235 degrees is normal operating and continue to operate until a check engine light or guage light come on and the engine defuels into limp mode.

. I had them print a copy of the conversation for my glove box and they attached one to my file so I'll be covered when it burns down. I'll give em some time to draw a crowd for the kiss I'll give if operating above 235 is ok. .

Cummins southern plains is going to look at it this week,

 

[HBarlow]

Update on the overheat issue, dealer hooked up the truck to the magic computer and couldn't find a thing, they contacted the service center and was told this: 2009 and up trucks are equipped with guages that read actual temps, there have been 174 temp complaints in this region, 235 degrees is normal operating and continue to operate until a check engine light or guage light come on and the engine defuels into limp mode.
. I had them print a copy of the conversation for my glove box and they attached one to my file so I'll be covered when it burns down. I'll give em some time to draw a crowd for the kiss I'll give if operating above 235 is ok. .
Cummins southern plains is going to look at it this week,

If I was in your situation I would pm or call TDR member Mike Mullenax who is a very experienced and knowledgeable diesel tech at Elder Dodge in Athens, TX and ask him about it.

I have visited Mike in his service department to have him do a reflash on my '08. I am confident in his ability. He will know if it is a genuine problem with your truck or something that all the new trucks are experiencing.

 

[PLefever]

Harvey thats a good idea, I am familiar with Elder and its not that far away, maybe about 200mi, I'll give em a call tomorrow.



Talked with Cummins southern plains today, not much they can do, can't hook up to it. He did say, the 6. 7 in medium duty truck applications besides dodge defuel to limp mode at 228, and they run 195 as an operating temp. He felt that 335 is too high but that was just his opinion. Hauled about 20k worth of pipe monday so gross around 32 and got to 338 on medium hills



perry

 

[KLauber]

Damned Hot!

Harvey thats a good idea, I am familiar with Elder and its not that far away, maybe about 200mi, I'll give em a call tomorrow.



Talked with Cummins southern plains today, not much they can do, can't hook up to it. He did say, the 6. 7 in medium duty truck applications besides dodge defuel to limp mode at 228, and they run 195 as an operating temp. He felt that 335 is too high but that was just his opinion. Hauled about 20k worth of pipe monday so gross around 32 and got to 338 on medium hills



perry

Perry, that was a typo right? 238 not 338. I hope... .

 

[KLauber]

Stay cool

Perry,



Here's what I use in my 3500. It never goes over 200 degrees regardless of towing or not. I use it in all our cars also and Will's truck.



AMSOIL - AMSOIL Dominator® Coolant Boost (RDCB)



Pretty darned effective heat transfer properties so maybe if Cummins can't figure it out, just throw 2 bottles in your overflow tank when its cold and you will notice a difference when it gets to operating temp. I didn't believe it would work but it does. PM me to order or if you know a local Amsoil dealer ring them up here: Dealer Locator



Ken

 

[HBarlow]

Let us know what you learn from Mike.

I have never seen mine run hotter than about 210* and am skeptical that the new ones are designed to run as hot as you reported.

Some dealer parts changers don't have a clue and don't read written material distributed by Dodge/Ram.

 

[AH64ID]

It does seem like it's running a little warmer than most. 215° is about where I figure the thermostat is full open.

Perry,



Here's what I use in my 3500. It never goes over 200 degrees regardless of towing or not. I use it in all our cars also and Will's truck.



AMSOIL - AMSOIL Dominator® Coolant Boost (RDCB)



Pretty darned effective heat transfer properties so maybe if Cummins can't figure it out, just throw 2 bottles in your overflow tank when its cold and you will notice a difference when it gets to operating temp. I didn't believe it would work but it does. PM me to order or if you know a local Amsoil dealer ring them up here: Dealer Locator



Ken

While those additives have good results it seem's odd that it would keep you from even achieving a normal operating temp, as the 6. 7's use a 200° thermostat.

 

[PLefever]

yep sorry guys, typo, should wear my glasses when I type. 235, 238.

Dodge boys did say it would take 300 to blow it up?

 

[KLauber]

It does seem like it's running a little warmer than most. 215° is about where I figure the thermostat is full open.









While those additives have good results it seem's odd that it would keep you from even achieving a normal operating temp, as the 6. 7's use a 200° thermostat.

Thats assuming the gauge is actually reading the actual correct temp! Everyone's normal is different!



Ken

 

[AH64ID]

Thats assuming the gauge is actually reading the actual correct temp! Everyone's normal is different!



Ken

Not going to be that different.

 

[KLauber]

Not going to be that different.

I guess my normal is different? The engine temp was always 200 even if I was towing 15K. With Coolant Boost, its always about a needle width below 200 empty or loaded. I guess that means my well designed cooling system works really well.



Ken

 

[AH64ID]

It is a great designed cooling system, but Cummins uses thermostats that have a 15-20° range from cracking temp to full open temp. It's not normal for the temp to never move, especially when towing. You should rise about 5-10° on a good grade, and 10-20° on a steep grade on a hot day. If you don't I would question the accuracy of your sender.

I am trying to find info on the Dodge Thermostat. The industrial ISB 6. 7's use the same thermostat as in the 03-07 5. 9's, which cracks at 190±3° and goes full open at 207°. But there are too many reports of people running 200°-205° empty cruise to think the 6. 7 uses the same thermostat. Cummins lists the max operating temp at 225°.

If someone can provide an engine serial number for an 07. 5-09 and a 10-11 I can see what the Cummins site says.

EDIT: Did a little more research and part number chasing. The 07. 5-09 6. 7 appear to use the same thermostat at the 03-07 5. 9, so its a 190-207° thermostat. I have a hard time breaking 200° towing unless the ambient is above 85° then I can pull up to 213°, but the gauge still only shows a needle width above so maybe that's the difference.

The OP has an 11 which run a different thermostat, so I can get him max and normal temps with an engine serial number.

 

[PLefever]

Slight update today, pulled ,9200 dually trailer with 15,300lb of beam, so total gross of 34,500 truck and trailer. Engine hit 247 degrees and overheat light came on, this was all before hitting 60 miles per hour down the on ramp, 95 degrees much cooler than last time. Once into 5th and 6th again it cooled down to low 220's then to 210. back to the dealer on monday

 

[HBarlow]

That's bad news.

I wonder if air flow through the radiator and engine compartment is reduced by the new front end sheet metal on the '11 Ram?

 

[PLefever]

Harvey, wondered the same thing, the nose on the 4500's is a bit different, maybe turbulence from the bumper height?, going to pull the egr plug tomorrow and hook back up to that trailer, (got lazy and didn't unload) and take it for a spin to see if its any different. Still need to call down to Elder's just been to busy.



perry

 

[AH64ID]

What's your engine serial number?

Very weird it's a 4th gear issue and not in 5th or 6th.