Need help with a heat issue

[MSalvatore]

HI all,

I just got back from paragon in hazleton PA. Last night I took 93 north ( the hills were steep) and It was running hot, egt's at 1300 and engine temp was at 240 by the top of the mountain. THe temps dropped just after I started down the other side. What can I do to get it running cooler? I was towing my GN around 10K the comp was attached but no pump wire attached. I thought the HX35 would help with the dd2's? guess not.

Any suggestions from those who tow alot on steep grades? the sign said 9% grade.



Marc

 

[TowPro]

Looking back at my 02 Auto, I used to climb temps on hills with loads also. I beleve it was the convertor causing the heat, added to the heat the AC condensor is creating. once you crossed over the hill the convertor locked up and the temps went down. Try running OD off and slow down a little, it always worked for me.



I had a problem sort of like that in my 98 (manual) turned out to be the thermostat was not opening all the way, it was far enough for level travel, but put a load on it (camper) and it would start to run hot. I proved the problem by putting both the new and used thermostat in a pot of boiling water, the water hit arounc 195 and the new one opened all the way while the used on opened about 1/4 of the way.



what did you think of Paragon? Enough rocks for you We used to ride dirt bikes on the land that borders paragon to the north. Seen a big bear up there one weekend!

 

[y-knot]

To start with add in an auxiliary transmission cooler. The hills really bring out the heat on the automatics that tow heavy, and the way the system is set-up from the factory it can not help but effect the other operating systems around it. Try the Super Cooler from www.proweldperformanceparts.com. There system installs the extra cooler under the truck and away from the other cooling systems, which means more cool air for the transmission cooler and no extra burden on the factory coolers. I have tryed the coolers and they work great.

 

[GAmes]

Have you ever completely removed the radiator and cleaned it? That is what it took to solve my overheating problem.

 

[MSalvatore]

The dealer just replaced the Torque Converter ,pump and a vew other thing's under warranty last week. the trans temp never went above 180. the od was off and I crested the mountain at 40. It was really working to get over the top. Do I need more air (bigger turbo)?



Thank's,

Marc

 

[MSalvatore]

any suggestions?

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

I had an 01 2500 4x4 SWB auto with 3. 55s before my 03. When towing my old 5er up the passes in CO (about 10k), it would heat up badly - also about 240*. I could never get it to run cool. I always blamed it on the combo of auto and the wrong gearing. Dealer looked at it, and said everything was running as it should be - he advised to slow down, but run at a higher RPM. I followed his advice for a year (which worked), then the 03 came out with 4 doors and I upgraded to my new truck. I now tow 16k, and the temp never rises above 215*, even when towing with outside temps above 90*.

 

[jelag]

I tow 20 K all the time with an 04 dually stick... the needle always runs between the 2 "0" when I'm flat out across the desert at 110* and when I'm pulling a grade at 6% it runs in the middle and just to right edge of the second "0" on at 200.....



My BIL found with a transmission temp gauge in his automatic that he was killing his transmission fluid in 3 months with over heat... . he had to install an extra cooler to keep the heat down..... and once the second cooler came on board his engine temps dropped to what mine does... . neither of us have power options to increase HP... .



One of the other things I've found. . when pulling a hill I don't allow myself to get behind another vehicle or closer than 100 ft... . when that happens the front of the truck seems to be in their slip screen... and little or no air enters the front of the truck and the temp gauge shoots up.....



Hope this helps.....

 

[MSalvatore]

My trans runs at 150-180 towing 10K up 9% 3 mile grade. the engine runs hot would a bigger turbo help?

 

[kelly4463]

MSalvatore give chris at River City Turbo a call (501)562-7488 with my set up i have no heat issues at all !!!! htb2 62/14 tell him kelly sent ya.....

 

[HCR552]

Hello I just blew a transmission pulling a 7000 lb trailer through Canada! It is on an 03 with 61000 miles and dodge is replacing the transmission and torque converter! But what do you suggest to prevent this in the future? A deeper pan or a transmission cooler or both? Pulling a 7000 lb trailer should not have been a problem? I never seen the tem gauge get over 210? Help???

 

[HCR552]

Hello I just blew a transmission pulling a 7000 lb trailer through Canada! It is on an 03 with 61000 miles and dodge is replacing the transmission and torque converter! But what do you suggest to prevent this in the future? A deeper pan or a transmission cooler or both? Pulling a 7000 lb trailer should not have been a problem? I never seen the tem gauge get over 210? Help???

 

[jelag]

I assume that your reading the water temp gauge... and do not have a transmission temp gauge installed... .



My BIL found that on some hills his transmission temp guage would rise to above 250* on the hills... and that temperature is death to automatic transmissions and fluid... .



He installed a larger cooler..... to prevent this.....



I'm guessing that Dodge won't be happy with an aftermarket cooler... . but that's what you need. . in addition to a transmission temp guage to really know where you stand...



I personally don't own a truck with an automatic for the reason you describe... . and we have so many different guys driving it.....



Hope this helps...

 

[DBF]

Hello I just blew a transmission pulling a 7000 lb trailer through Canada! It is on an 03 with 61000 miles and dodge is replacing the transmission and torque converter! But what do you suggest to prevent this in the future? A deeper pan or a transmission cooler or both? Pulling a 7000 lb trailer should not have been a problem? I never seen the tem gauge get over 210? Help???

Engine coolant temp is not an accurate indication of transmission fluid temp, which is what kills transmissions.



I have two fan-equipped coolers under the bed and gages with temperature sensors at the output of the transmission, in-between the two coolers, and in the transmission pan. I can see what the fluid temp is in each of these locations, enabling me to drive accordingly. If it's hot, I sometimes have to drive by the fluid temp gages rather than the speedometer, even to the point of arriving a little late. And it has sure been hot lately.



These trucks must have been designed with 70*F ambient temperatures in mind.



DBF