Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Help on overheating.......

[hammersley]

Ok - I have a 2001, auto. Today I was driving up a long grade (gravel road from Wenatchee to Ellensburg Wa) air temp in high 80's, and I'm , using 4 WD High Range travelling about 5-10 MPH - NO TRAILER, and lightly loaded. Temp Gage went to a little beyond the mark between the 190 and 240. Way To HOT - Do I have a sissy Cooling system or what? I just recently checked my radiator ( I have a screen over it) but it had many bugs on it - BUT NOT PACKED) also had many that were in the radiator, but again not packed. Now here's my question - How Come I didn't hear my cooling fan kick in at a high rate - Can someone explain hoe this fan is to operate - and how can I check to see if it's OK. In other words - should I be able to hear it kick in. BTW - I cleaned out my radiator in Ellensburg at a car wash.

 

[BIG BOB]

Hammersley,



I had the same problem while on my vacation to the Black Hills and Jackson Hole. I was pulling my 28' travel trailer. I could not figure out what was going on. When I finally got back and posted on the TDR, several suggestions were given.



Anyone get hot pulling mountain passes?



I didn't think about the fan clutch, however I listened for it after I got home and didn't hear it. I'm going to put a new clutch fans on. I'll let you know how it works.



You should be able to hear the fan clutch kick on.

 

[Motorhead]

As good of idea that bug screens are, they restrict the air flow considerabily. To see 210deg isn't bad. After all, Stock thermostat is 195deg so you are only seeing 20 to 25 degree difference.

 

[hammersley]

How Hot can you run them???

On the guage - if accurate - how hot can you run them - i. e. the mark between the 190 and 240 is I guess about 215 or is it to be 212 or whatever? Can you run these with teh guage halfway between the say 215 and the 240? Bob - how hot did your guage go to? And that fan - I've never heard it come on - how can one check it??????

 

[BIG BOB]

On one pass just as I got to the top, my gauge went all the way to red and the check gauge light came on. It came down right away as I went down the back side of the pass. Never lost any coolent.



Being I don't hear the fan kick on, I'm just going to replace it.



I called Cummins NW, they didn't have. I wasn't going to the dealer, so I called NAPA, they would have to order it at $139. 00. I called Bert Shields Auto parts in Spokane, they had one and it was $70. 00, so I bought it. It takes a 36mm wrench to change. Anyone changed these before? Anyone have a wrench they would loan me? I'll pay the shipping. Crescent wrench will not work, too wide.



The manual gives two part numbers for the wrench;

Snap-on #SP346

Cummins #2017DSP



Anyone have one?



I don't know how to check them except to listen for it to come on.