Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Getting Hot...No Load

[jwskrintney]

Hey there folks,



I have a 2002 3500 HO with ~38,000 on the meter. It has been getting hot on me with no load on the truck. Today I had to pull out in heavy traffic in a 65 MPH speed zone. I pushed it through the gears considerably harder than I normally do and by the time I reached 65 MPH, the temp gauge was halfway between the center mark and the highest mark. It did cool back down but it took it a little longer than I think it should have. I took it home and took a close look at the fan clutch at elevated engine RPM's and it seemed fine... but I started smelling a strong burnt oil smell. Once I backed off and let it cool back down, it seemed to run "normal" again. I did not notice any unusual smoke from the exhaust or any thing else other than the oil smell that really seemed out of place. Any ideas??

 

[DGFoster]

I had that problem and it ended up being that the radiator was plugged with bugs and oil from the oil blow by tube,so I took the rediator out and cleaned it and it was fine.

I had to use engine cleaner to get it out of the fins it was pretty thick. .

 

[bmoeller]

Another possibility would be a thermostat that is stuck/sticking shut.

 

[Rob Thomas]

Ditto on what DGfoster said.



If you haven't replaced your coolant, nows is a good time with 38k on the ticker. Pulling the radiator isn't a tough job, and is the easiest way to clean the radiator thuroghly.



After you clean the radiator, get a 3/4" hose barb and 3-4' of 3/4" hose. Remove the blow by bottle, insert the hose barb and new hose, and run the hose down the frame rail near the transmission. No more clogged radiator, and the front of your engine will stay clean.



Rob

 

[jwskrintney]

I appreciate the input. I did check my radiator and it has a good bit of oil build up in the fins. I suspect that the thermostat is sticking but I am certain now that I am not getting the heat exchange across the radiator that I should be getting. My next set of days off, I am going to clean the radiator and move that blow by tube