hot engine

[Tractorat]

Just got back from a 2200 mile round trip from Seattle to Yellowstone to Jackson Hole and back pulling my little 4k lb TT. (BTW, I burned a half a quart of oil on this trip. This truck is only 3 years old with only 42k on it. Its almost brand new. Very dissapointing)



I always keep an eye on the engine temp guage. Pulling the mountains, it usually got no more than a needles width from center, occassionally almost half way to the first hash mark, but always withing the "normal" range.



When I tried to go up the 10% grade from Jackson to Victor ID, after about 2 miles, I noticed that the temp needle was almost on the hash mark (still in the normal range, but not by much) So, I turned around, went back down the hill, and took the long route



When I got the camp at Victor ID, the guy that ran the camp said he pulls his 17k trailer (CTD) over that 10% grade and does not overheat and would not accept the fact that my Dodge got so hot. I checked the coolant level, and it was a little low, but I easily filled it with less than the contents of a 20 ounce water bottle.



Do you think I may have cooked something ? Oil pressure is still the same, power SEEMS to be the same, etc.



Tractorat

 

[MMeier]

Can you hear your clutch fan kick in when it gets hot? Ever service your cooling system yet,(Flush and refill, new T-stat) is your condenser clear of obstructions,( bugs , small animals, etc. ). Just points to consider.

 

[B.G. Smith]

When you are putting enough load on the CTD to cause the torque converter to be unlocked, it will create enough heat to cause the coolant temp to rise, as long as you are in the normal range, nothing to worry about. The box will also make the temp go a little higher but mostly you will notice higher egt,s. Sounds normal to me. I pull a 5th wheel that is around 12,000 empty. As seen from other posts, some other things that affect coolant temperature are restricted air flow to the radiator caused by either bugs in the honeycombs or oil/dirt fouling caused by the breather tube and a defective fan clutch or thermostat but like I said before, sounds normal to me. bg

 

[DBoggs]

I had that same thing happen when I had my 01. 5. Mine would never run hot other than on hills. I replaced the thermostat with a new one of the proper temp and it never happened again. Seems to me I remember a TSB or something about this issue.



Duane

 

[Tractorat]

Thanks,

I havent serviced the cooling system yet, but I plan on doing that shortly. Yes, the fan comes on good and strong.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Tractorat,

Check your radiator. It may be plugged up with oily debris from the crankcase breather. See post #13 and #14 of this thread: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131245&highlight=radiator



Bill

 

[jeepit]

What Bill said. I had this problem. Check the front of the radiator. Mine was loaded with crud. Relocated puke bottle and degreased radiator. All is normal now.