Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Overheating, clogged radiator?

[dieslman]

I am running hot even when I am not towing the RV. I have a 195 thermostat and have since ordered a 180. I have gone thru several fan cluthes and now I think my current one is out. (I don't hear as well as I used to. ) Can you safely clean a radiator with chemicals? Like we do with our coffee pots? Sure hate to have to pull a radiator. Can that be done without first pulling the other coolers that are in front of it?

Dieslman

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

dieselman the '99-'02 Dodge Cummins were known for radiators getting dirty and causing overheating due to oil vapor from the blowby hose collecting on the outside of the radiator. The best and only fix is to remove the radiator and thoroughly clean it, inside and out. It's not that hard to pull, the rad fluid reservoir and washer fluid bottles come off then you just undo the four 10mm bolts for the shroud. After disconnecting the hoses there are only 2 bolts that need removed and the radiator slips out.

 

[JMetzger]

It is like Vaughn MacKenzie said it is really not a hard job & you will be surprised at the crap that that radiator can get built up inside & out. Well worth the time & effort.

 

[SeanM]

Vaughn MacKenzie is right about the rads getting dirty because of the breather and that its supper easy to take out. It took me 20 mins to remove the old radiator and put a new one in on the side of the road. I noticed you didn't say if you replaced the thermostat, you just had one on order. My truck started running warm a few years back. I swapped the thermostat and it went back to normal.

 

[fstfish66]

hello, not new but dont visit often enough,,,



i my self am preparing to do a 100,000 mile PM, encluding removing the radiator,flushing,t stat,water pump,and all hoses,,and check the killer dowl pin,,any tips ?? tricks?? i think i have every thing 195 stat ??? except a fan wrench,,next on my list,,,what works best to clean inside and out side of the radiator?? then im relocating the vapor bottle,, im thinking to the trans cross member



thanks in advance for any help,,,,

 

[dieslman]

I will be changing the new 180 thermostat when it arrives from Geno's. But I think I will also pull the radiator and clean it. Not sure about the fan clutch although I have been buying them locally and they have lifetime warranties so I have only had to buy one. I think I am on number four now.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I will be changing the new 180 thermostat when it arrives from Geno's. But I think I will also pull the radiator and clean it. Not sure about the fan clutch although I have been buying them locally and they have lifetime warranties so I have only had to buy one. I think I am on number four now.

I bought a fan clutch from Auto Zone and it didn't work that great. I replaced it and the new one wasn't any better. So I ended up buying a new one from Dodge and it works great. The Auto Zone one said Made in China, the Dodge one didn't and looked to be better quality.

 

[dieslman]

Thanks for the comeback Vaughn. I too got my fan clutches from auto zone and yes, made in China. I just checked Geno's and did not find any there. I guess I can go to local Chrysler dealer too.

Thanks everyone else that responded too.

 

[dieslman]

Back from our RV trip now and we did pull the radiator in Walla Walla WA and changed thermo to the 180. Did not change fan clutch and I think it is working. I broke my arm in Palouse WA playing ball w/grandson so my son in Walla Walla had to do most of the work on the radiator but like everyone said it is no big deal. We pulled the Blue without a problem and the highest eng. temp I saw was about 205. My RV is about 14000 lbs. Passed trucks all the way up the Blue. Thank you all for the feedback. Is this a great group or what?

 

[fstfish66]

ok i pulled the radiator,,wooow was it caked 96000 miles 8 years,,,flushed it before i removed any thing, reverse flush ,anti freeze was still in great shape no junk from flushing,,,but the radiator was caked,, when i sat down to look it over i was thinking about taking it to a radiator shop to be boiled,,



but i gave the simple green a shot,,and a super spot brush just to loosen up the crud,,, then i shot engine degreaser let it sit,,rinsed it off kept going back and forth simple green to degreaser,, finally can see thru all the fins,,some are discolored but i never had a temp issue with the clogged /caked radiator,,a little discoloration wont m ake a difference,,,



i called geno,s for a thermostat,,asked for a cummins stat,,they told me they dont carry a cummins part number/brand stat , so i got a stant top name in thermostats locally,, all tho it doesnt look as beefy as the orignal stat it does have the jiggle pins designed to keep it from being air bound,,,,



while the rad is out i checked the killer dowl pin,,it was in there solid as a rock,,but i still installed the pin keeper and longer bolt,, got the kit for the killer pin at genos,,,and it had to be reworked,,ground,and filed on to make it fit properly,,, i did all the degreasing of the rad,,and the plastic bottles in the rain,,,lol so im sure there rinsed really welll,,,



now i think ill look for turbo intercooler hoses they seem very soft,,

 

[dieslman]

I didn't mention that I have 91K on the truck and it is over 12 years old so the radiator was overdue. I got my 180 stat at Geno's. I also did a radiator flush with Prestone brand flush, used two quarts with plain water. I didn't reuse my prestone due to its age. I also used distilled water and mixed it on the north side of 50-50. I stay right on the money now at 180 except for the heavy pulling like the grade at the Blue in Oregon. Long and steep!!!!!