Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 6 speed overheating on hills

[Cafferty]

I have an 01 HO, 6 speed, with a FASS platinum lift pump, otherwise stock. Recently it has begun heating up on grades, especially while pulling(duh). Today I had to pull over and let it cool down multople times while pulling up 6% grades with a load of hay, about 15K total trailer weight. I could not get 2 miles uphill without almost pegging my temp guage. Pull over or get to the top and it drops right down. Even on relatively flat ground I'm running 10-15 degrees hot, or 200 degrees +. I'm wondering if it is simply the fan clutch? Seems likely after reading other posts, but they are usually talking automatics. Any thoughts??

Thanks in advance,

JC

 

[AClayton]

I have to clean the radiator on my truck annually. The oily mist combined with road dirt cakes up the front of the radiator with an almost concrete like coating. You will need to remove it to perform a thorough cleaning. After the radiator is removed, it is much easier to clean the IC. I'm not saying it couldn't be your clutch fan, but if you haven't cleaned the radiator in a while, then that would be the 1st place I'd check... ... quite common with our trucks btw!

Alan

 

[HBarlow]

A radiator cleaning as Alan suggested is most likely your cure.

 

[NIsaacs]

This question is always hard to answer due to a multitude of possibilitys. Usually a dirty radiator, internal or external will overheat all the time. Can you hear your fan go into orbit at high temps? If so, does it change pitch at high RPM's? In other words, does it seem to slow down the higher you bring up the R's? If it does it could be the clutch as you suggested. Check your belt. They can slip if they are hard and dry or if your spring is weak in the tensioner. Like others have said, it could still be a plugged up radiator. It is hard to get a good visual so use a flashlight and see if it shines through the cores.



Nick

 

[Cafferty]

I relocated the breather tube (on front of the motor) a few months ago and used a couple cans of engine degreaser on the radiator. I guess it could still be dirty, but this seems to have just started. Should the fan be tight without the engine running, or should I be able to turn it easily by hand? It turns easily now, and the belt is tight.

 

[Cafferty]

I just ran the enging diagnostic codes and ended up with these: P0500, P1693, and ECU P1693, and P0217. Apparently these reference the speed sensor and injector pump?? I can't find definitive code definitions, or what to do to fix the issue. My high-boys are a LOT simpler!!

 

[Missouri Mule]

The fan should have some resistance when spun by hand a easy to turn or no turn fan points to the fan clutch. :{

 

[ABennin]

The radiator is the first thing to start with. Don't forget the thermostat. It may not be opening all the way. I can list what is in the powertrain manual for the codes. The P500 No vehicle speed sensor signal. P217 Decreased engine performance due to engine overheat condition. P1693 DTC detected in companion module and PCM. This is most likely from the overheating issue.

 

[Cafferty]

I think it was the radiator, it was full of silt cat hair... Didn't think it would fill up it two months, but driving in hay fields will do that. Thanks for all the help.

 

[dresslered]

The fan clutch should sound like a helecopter lifting off at around 190-degrees. Actuallly, it is a bimetallic spring located on the front of the fan drive unit which reacts to the radiator discharge air temperature. As mentioned above, a dirty cooler will definitely affect water cooling as well as the fan clutch operation.