Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Hi fellas! This last weekend I was pulling my toyhauler up the Mogollon Rim on Hwy. 260 here in AZ and my truck started getting hotter than usual. Truck has 130,000 miles and it can get a little hot on grades but when the fan clutch kicks in it will usually keep the heat at around 220. The TC was locked in 3rd gear so it was not getting over about 210. Ambient temps were about 90 degrees. About 2/3rds up the grade, the temp gauge went over to the left side almost into the red but did not. The fan was whirring away so I knew the clutch had not failed. I was contemplating pulling over but there was no room on the shoulder and then all of the sudden the gauge returned to the 220 range really quickly! I was watching it the whole time....and when I finally crested the hill...it went down to the 210 range. I have never seen the needle move that quickly...it kind of bounced back to the normal warm range.
On the way home to Mesa up the Slate Canyon hill on Hwy 87 which is long and twisty it did it again! Got real hot and then bounce back over to the 220-225 range. I was in third doing about 55 and this time I slowed down to about 45 and downshifted into 2nd and locked the TC again. It cooled off again.
Now it runs fine and the temps stay normal right now. Coolant levels are fine. I even installed some of the Engine Ice for Diesels before this trip which I don't know if it worked or not.
Anybody have any idea why my temp gauge (stock) would be so erratic? And as a follow up...what can I do to keep the engine cooler when pulling a load? Is the sending unit for the gauge right there where the hose connects to the block by the front to f the valve cover? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
2006 Megacab 4x4 SLT Smarty on Level 5 (90hp) Triple Disk TC with mystery switch, 2 micron fuel filter, 3.73 gears, 305/55/20 Rocky Mtn. AT, Steering Box brace, EGT, Trans, Boost by Autometer
On the way home to Mesa up the Slate Canyon hill on Hwy 87 which is long and twisty it did it again! Got real hot and then bounce back over to the 220-225 range. I was in third doing about 55 and this time I slowed down to about 45 and downshifted into 2nd and locked the TC again. It cooled off again.
Now it runs fine and the temps stay normal right now. Coolant levels are fine. I even installed some of the Engine Ice for Diesels before this trip which I don't know if it worked or not.
Anybody have any idea why my temp gauge (stock) would be so erratic? And as a follow up...what can I do to keep the engine cooler when pulling a load? Is the sending unit for the gauge right there where the hose connects to the block by the front to f the valve cover? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
2006 Megacab 4x4 SLT Smarty on Level 5 (90hp) Triple Disk TC with mystery switch, 2 micron fuel filter, 3.73 gears, 305/55/20 Rocky Mtn. AT, Steering Box brace, EGT, Trans, Boost by Autometer
Last edited:
