Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Running Hot

[WyoJim]

jwdeeming... . Its not the heat making people grumpy. There is a TSB on the early 24 valves for this condition that says it most likely is the thermostat.



We have 2 '98 24 valves and they both needed the thermostat changed because of heating up while pulling. The thermostat cured both of them.



mreiter... A Cummins dealer will likely want your engine number. It is on the block in front of the injection pump towards the radiater. Write it down, as they will want it every time you ask about a part.

 

[M Barnett]

Here is something you realy need to try as it doesn't cost much and may be your problem. It took me a long time to figure this out. I suspected my air conditioning condenser, intercooler, and radiator were clogged with bugs and dirt, but couldn't wash it out even using Gunk degreeser. Finally found somebody to tell me water won't do it. I was told to buy a couple feet of copper tubing with a ferul fitting so I could attach to my air blowgun. Also a good idea to buy one of those small cheap tubing benders. Bend the end of the tubing in a tight 90 degree angle so it will fit behind the radiator between the fan and radiator and start blowing air to the front. I got bugs and dirt coming out for an hour! Funny thing is it will look clean but you won't believe what will come out. It makes sense with our trucks that they will get dirty as the condenser is on top of the intercooler which is on top of the radiator. Bug legs, wings and other trash just aren't going to go through! Had the same problem with my semi truck and they both now run cool as new. Now I am designing and building a bugscreen so this doesn't happen again.

Michael

 

[WyoJim]

M Barnett... . Thats a good tip and I will take you up on it. But his Problem is the damn thermostat and this won't fix it.



I heated both the old thermostat and the new one in the same pan of water at the same time. At 200 degrees the old one opened about a quarter of an inch. The new one opened over twice that.



ITS THE DAMN THERMOSTAT... . untill you prove it is not!!

 

[M Barnett]

Hello Jim; I'm not trying to say this is his problem and I agee with you about the thermostat. Its just after what I went through with my problems, I want everybody with a CTD to know those bugs fill the radiators. This needs to be added to the maintaince schedule.

Michael

 

[LarryB]

The fan is pretty much useless above 40mph anyway, even with a new fan-clutch. If your truck is overheating above 40mph I would bet heavily on the t-stat. A plugged radiator will do it too. If you want a quick temporary test/fix just take the t-stat out. If this solves the problem, get a new t-stat. Save a bunch of $$ over buying a clutch you don't need.

 

[juicedcummins]

The carboard trick won't work because you need the airflow through the rad to engage the fan clutch.

IT"S THE T-STAT!

 

[BroncoMarc]

I finally found the local cummins dealer, got the t-stat (thanks for the part number!) and have it installed. I'll let you guys know Monday if it helped at all. . I'm towing the Bronco about 9 hours this weekend.



__________________

- Marc Reiter

1998. 5 Dodge Ram Cummins Turbo Diesel - stock for now

http://www.broncomarc.com/ram/

 

[Cummins Corvette]

I second the motion to stay away from the cheap ones!!!!!!! In one of my old trucks I put in a cheap fan clutch with a lifetime warranty. I used that warranty 4 times and when the bearing on the fifth one failed it took out the radiator. Even worse, a complete idiot was driving it and they didn't stop. That cheap fan clutch cost me a new engine. Get an oem from the dealer.

 

[LarryB]

Hey! I wannna get my post count up too.

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by LarryB

Hey! I wannna get my post count up too.

Easy come..... easy go. Poof.

 

[RobbyRam]

My Cummins Quick Check II Scanner Software logged an error code of 0217-which is Engine Overtemp Condition. My temp gauge read at least 229 degrees) It added that it was not a severe over-temp, but worth keeping track of.

I can't erase the code. Truck seems to run normal.

 

[Big_Daddy_T]

Mustve been the tstat. Hasnt posted in five days. The 98 and 99s had a bad batch. For 18 dollars and a few minutes you cant beat it for a cheap fix. Mine was free. Damn service wouldnt fix it until it actually overheated. I got so pi$$ed. I didnt have this wonderful website to figure out what was wrong. the local diesel gurus told me that it couldnt be the tstat. "They very rarely go out you see bubba". If the heater works its not the tstat. Wrong. It was the tstat. The coolant flows just not enough to cool the engine.

 

[BroncoMarc]

I blew out the radiator and change the thermostat (after running all over town to find the right one!) and I think I'm fixed. I towed my Bronco about 9 hours this weekend and it never got over 190. It actually ran 185 most of the time.



I say I think I'm fixed because it was about 10 degrees cooler outside than when I was having my overheating problems, and also I went north to a very flat northern Ohio rather than a hilly southern Kentucky.



So, thanks to those who gave me suggestions... even if you *****ed at me.



__________________

- Marc Reiter

1998. 5 Dodge Ram Cummins Turbo Diesel - stock for now

http://www.broncomarc.com/ram/

 

[bill8333]

I'd like to know where you guys are buying a cummins T/S for 18 dollars I just replaced mine and paid 80 dollars at the local dealer.

 

[WestTN]

Do you hear a loud roar when overheating? If so, the fan clutch is fine and you need to remove the radiator, clean the outside of it, and move the cran kcase vent bottle. This is the #1 cause of overheating.

 

[HCannon]

I am in Texas and it has been hot. I pull trailers all the time and one of my trucks fan locked up and will not turn at all. It may be hurting something but it is the best thing that could happen for me. Now it wont get hot and stayes down below the center mark. I am not saying to do this but it sure is working for me. I have another one that I drilled four holes and bolted it down and it is working. I cant tell that they are using any more fuel but you have to have the radio kinda loud. Some one tell me, am I hurting anything. Bronco, I am not saying to do this until someone smarter than me says that it isnt hurting something.

 

[JoeTaylor1]

I had the same problem towing a light boat at 90 degrees or better. Looking between the front of the radiator and the trans cooler the front of the radiator looked like it was covered in fuzz. I spread degreaser on, left it for 20 minutes, then taking a car washing attachment that where the end would bend to 90 degrees, I washed it off blowing water from the inside out. On the same 10 mile grade at near 100 degrees outside it went about a needle's width above 190 degrees on the temp gage.



2001, 2500, 4x4, 183k miles, auto.

 

[analog]

I'd like to know where you guys are buying a cummins T/S for 18 dollars I just replaced mine and paid 80 dollars at the local dealer.

Well, this thread is from SEVEN years ago. Inflation sucks huh?