towing heavy - coolant temps get high

[JAlford]

Yep - snoking, where do I send the cigar? though mine have a taint of diesel fuel and oil, as I have to keep them stashed in the garage workbench :-laf

Anyone running a Horton clutch/fan? Or an electric conversion? If so, does it have a dramatic affect on the intercooler?

 

[AH64ID]

What temps are you seeing?

What temp thermostat is installed?

 

[JAlford]

What temps are you seeing?

What temp thermostat is installed?

The new heavy trailer was only towed 30 miles each way to and from dealer, on relatively low grades (Cincinnati). I saw temps on the gage as high as 220-230 for short durations (during accelerating on-ramps, pulling slight grades). Typically, it doesn't get over 200 ever.

Thermostat is new stock replacement 195.

History: The older trailer developed serious repair issues last year, prompting us to decide to sell it and purchase a newer one. The last towing the truck had done was May 2013 when we discovered the problems with the trailer. The truck has been driven extensively (4-5K) since then, but not towing, and had not had any issues. When we sold the trailer, I towed it to the purchaser, and noticed the temps climbing high . I discovered the radiator was leaking and rotting apart outside (inside was clean and no residue) from the salt, and so replaced it.

Didn't tow again until we picked up the new heavy trailer at the dealer. It was driven home, then returned to the dealer the next day with a broken slide out mechanism and trailer has been in the shop ever since. So the only towing the truck did was two trips 30 miles each, saw increased temps on both trips.
Jeff

 

[SnoKing]

So when are you going to install the new fan clutch? If temps when that high and you did not hear the roar of the fan, then the clutch is not working. SNOKING

 

[AH64ID]

I am guessing it's a 190°, unless it's not a genuine Cummins.

The 190's crack at 190° ±3°, and go full open at 207°. Max allowable temp, per Cummins is 225°. I will pull 6-8% grades at 10-21K combined and run up to 215°-216° on 90°+ days at 55-60 mph.

Have you verified the accuracy of your gauge?

 

[JAlford]

I ordered a fan clutch today - Oreilly has a Hayden with lifetime warranty for a reasonable cost ($57). Dealer here wanted $180 plus shipping, no warranty, so not going there.

The thermostat is not genuine Cummins, it is AutoZone brand. Said 195 stamped right into the flange. Had to buy their thermostat and cap with the radiator to get the lifetime warranty on the radiator. Autozone was the only place I could find a radiator with a warranty more than 1 yr.
Don't know about the gauge, but it will read 190 - 200 when up to temp ever since I put the new parts in, so I assume it is accurate. Only time I have ever had it go above 200 is when I towed the trailer home and back, well at least after the new radiator and parts.
Jeff

 

[AH64ID]

I have heard lots of bad things about non-Cummins branded stuff, and thermostats are no exception. Its hard to get specs on non-Cummins stuff, but the Cummins stuff should have a big swing with load, so I would think the aftermarket will too.

Did you check with Cummins for a fan clutch? It may or may not be a Mopar part, if it's from Cummins it will be much cheaper away from Cummins.

 

[Kirwin]

Are you sure the donut gasket is installed correctly in the thermostat housing? The thermostat ports water in two ways, recirc when cold and blocks recipe when open. This has lead to a lot of overheated 12 valve engines. If the thermostat is just left out, water recircs and the engine overheats. I do concur that you should hear the fan by roughly 210 F. Ken Irwin

 

[S.Morris]

Go back and read Games reply on buying OEM clutch fan instead of aftermarket. He is 100% correct and overheating will cost you much more then the 100.00 diff.

We run a fleet of 3500's and some parts you just bite the bullet and buy OEM because they are better. The clutch fan is one of them....JMO

 

[kjchristopher]

Don't cheap out with a chain parts store fan clutch. I did and wasted a lot of time looking for overheating causes. Do it right the first time and pay the extra $$$ for an OEM. I get my parts from www.mopar4less.com Be sure to specify internet price.

I ordered a fan clutch today - Oreilly has a Hayden with lifetime warranty for a reasonable cost ($57). Dealer here wanted $180 plus shipping, no warranty, so not going there.

Yep - you'll more than likely regret that decision. BTDT - I should have listened to everyone else and not have become another stat. Now you'll be in the clutch for $237.

 

[GAmes]

I ordered a fan clutch today - Oreilly has a Hayden with lifetime warranty for a reasonable cost ($57). Dealer here wanted $180 plus shipping, no warranty, so not going there.

mopar4less was $138 plus $12 shipping, no sales tax in July. Genuine mopar parts have a one year warranty recognized by all Chrysler dealerships. That lifetime warranty will get used often, and you won't get the performance of an OEM.

Almost forgot, the OEM that I replaced had 400+k on it.

 

[RustyJC]

Regarding aftermarket fan clutches bought on the cheap: The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.

Rusty

 

[AH64ID]

Items with a lifetime warranty that are cheaper are usually being constantly replaced... Not worth the time and effort.

 

[6speed]

Been there and done that. All of my replacemnt stats and vicouis clutchs are either from Cummins, OEM or Genos. It amazing how much better they work. I don' thave the time to continuously take back that lifetime warranted part. Of course mine is only an 04 and quite easy work on. I just put on a fan hub bearing, upper idler pully and belt tensioner and that was an all day project with getting the shroud off and then assembly. It didn't help that the fridge with the beer in it kept calling.