Almost Overheated

[WWomack]

I drained my coolant today to flush the cooling system. Upon filling I ran the engine but I didn’t get it warm enough to purge an air pocket. On my way to work the warning light came on and my temp gauge was almost up to the 245 mark. I shut the engine off immediately and opened the hood to add water. It did not boil over nor was it making any steam noise. I added 2 ½ gallons of water and all was well. Ran it no problems. Question is will it be OK or have I potentially damage something by getting it that hot?

I guess if I hade a Chevy Duramax with the aluminum head I would really worry. Anyone had their truck get to just overheating and have the engine survive?

 

[JWesthoven]

engines can take the heat without much problem. mine does at least. the thing that cant are seals and such. just keep an eye out for any leaks or contanimation of oil/fuel/coolant.

 

[rscurtis]

One of the things I do when performing fluid changes is to measure the quantity that you drain, and you will then know if you have not refilled something completely. For transmission service, it eliminates guesswork on refill capacity. Assuming the trans level was correct to begin with, just replace the quantity that was drained- no guesswork or constant fluid checks.

 

[JWadford]

its fine 245 isnt too bad

 

[Motorhead]

Our benefit is that we have a CAST IRON head on our engines. No it isn't good to routinely overheat an engine especially a diesel but you didn't hurt it.

 

[WWomack]

Thanks, for the replies. Its sure difficult to purge all the air so more coolant can fill the air space. I have a V-twin bike and it has bleeders on each head for air removal. Any easy way to bleed down the air pocket?

 

[Motorhead]

Thanks, for the replies. Its sure difficult to purge all the air so more coolant can fill the air space. I have a V-twin bike and it has bleeders on each head for air removal. Any easy way to bleed down the air pocket?

I have worked on alot of Mercedes that can be a P. I. T. A to bleed but I always make sure before I drive it or give it to a customer that I have brought it up to operating temp. When I change a thermostat on a diesel, I always drill a small hole through the thermostat valve plate to help it bleed out.
One thing for sure... . I bet you won't make the same mistake again!!

 

[WWomack]

you got that right! I pulled the thermostat and put the garden hose in the opening and and catch bucket under the drain. I got a few bits of junk out. Looked pretty clean. Filled it thru the open thermostat hole and got all but one gallon in. added the gallon as it came up to temp. All is good. Thanks for the help.

 

[Tinman]

I did the same thing last year, twice actually. First time wasn't too bad, no lights or codes - hit about 240. The engine did do it's auto idle up thing though. Second time (this was all related to my water cooled turbo install and re-install - long story) it went from 200 degrees to pegged at 245++?? in seconds. This time I had to drive it about 30sec. to find a place to get off the road and shut it down. Both times it was only about a gallon low with the overflow tank full and it was only at the that temp for a few seconds. I haven't seem any problems to date. When it reaches 245, the alert will sound, it will set a code, and go into limp mode (and high idle) as per the ower's manual. I didn't notice the limp mode b/o I was getting off the road. Filling the coolant through the thermostat will prevent this from happening. My second gen. also got in the 225ish range a while back. The radiator was clogged up with the blow-by vent oil and I didn't know it until I was fully loaded with rocks working it fairly hard. It stayed warm for a while without problems (I couldn't believe all the crap that came out of the fines). In your case, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Somewhere here there is a post that someone looked it up and these motors can actually run in the 225 range while being worked hard without issue. 225 isn't that far from 245.



Here it is:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...3-oil-pressure-versus-water-temps-towing.html