Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) "Hot H2O" while towing:

[SWEdholm]

Towed my 5er for the first time last weekend. I admit, pulling Monark Pass in CO is quite a pull in 80 deg temps, but I have never seen such engine temps. I was well able to keep my EGT's right where I wanted them during the pull but the engine temps. kept climbing to 240 just as I reached the top. I did keep downshifting to the point where I was in 3rd and 25 mph with my eyes glued to the factory water temp guage. Never got above 240 deg. s and cooled right back down on the back side. I have been told of a product called DEXCOOL to replace the 50/50 mix of prestone. Is this an option? If not, has anybody got a dodge/diesel replacement that will have a "cooling effect"?

 

[Sixpack]

Check the front of your radiator for crud that builds up between it and the intercooler. My bro's was so caked that it would send his water temps into the high range too. He used a air compressor and a 2' long wand attached to the air nozzle to blow the crud off. No more problems after that.

 

[Texas Diesel]

What 6pack said plus look for oily buildup from the blowby bottle. Also, did your fan clutch lockup properly?

 

[TJany]

the first thing to check is the radiator, mine was at least 50% blocked, i pulled it out and hit it with a pressure washer and that cooled it off, but it still ran warm towing, if the radiator is not enough to get your temps in check, than you may have to replace your fan clutch, thats my next step



Tim

 

[SWEdholm]

Texas Diesel, I think the fan locked up because I heard it kick in and sound like a freight train. Will check for the blow-by from the bottle. Thank you!

 

[SWEdholm]

TJany, will check the radiator although I am quite sure it is clean, but will check. The fan clutch does kick in

 

[davemac]

I was having a similar problem with mine, replaced the T-stat. No more problems

 

[B.G. Smith]

What davenac said. You definitely need to look a the thermostat. We were up there when my truck was less than a year old and it got hot going up the pass at Eagles Nest, we camped in Questa and I got a thermostat out of Taos and changed it out, we went back out over Monach and it didn't get above 190 deg. I have since had to change the thermostat two times, have 115000 miles on the truck now. The trailer was a 31' Carri-Lite 5th wheel, about 19,500 gcvw. bg

 

[JWHays]

Thermostat follies...

After having visited around 5 auto parts stores, it became painfully obvious that I was doomed to go to my local "Five Star".

After requesting a thermostat, the gent asked me "small hole or big hole?"

It's a good thing I had the old part in my pocket. He then brought out 2 thermostats and decided it was the "small hole" one.

Anyone have a similar experience?



... John

 

[claykelly]

Had the exact same problem last week going to Yellowstone. Changed the t-stat in Rawlins, WY w/no improvement. (yes, got 2 sizes). Made it to the next town and hit the car wash, radiator looked clean, but when blasting it out from the engine side especially, TONS of dirt, oil, grit, etc. After that, no problems whatsoever, I would climb to about 210-220 tops pulling a 7% grade in 5th gear 60mph pulling about 12500 lbs. If I'd downshift to 4th I'd drop my temps a little bit, oh and outside temp was about 85. I plan to pull the radiator and really clean it up when I get time.