Since the temps here have been running near 100*, I had noticed my engine temp running at 190* or a little better, in town and on the highway. Usually it runs at least a needle width under the 190*. Yesterday, my daughter and 1 year old grand-daughter was with me, and I had to leave it idling for about ten minutes. It didn't over heat, but it went higher then it has ever gone before. Also, the AC has not been working very well in town.

This morning I done a search on "fan clutch" and "overheating". I found several references to keeping the radiator clean and clear. I really didn't think this was the problem, due to me regularly cleaning the bugs off at the car wash. I decided to check all the cooling fins again and found something I'd never noticed before. I got a light and looked between the aux cooling radiators at the front of the main radiator and saw what looked like lint directly in front of the fan (circular pattern). I got the water hose out and flushed about a double hand full of "junk" out of it. I drove a few miles around town and after the thermostat opened, it never came close to the 190* mark and the AC cooled better then it has around town in a long time. I'll highway test it tomorrow.

Bottom line.............the DTR site and PEOPLE helped me save money AGAIN. I'm sure most repair shops would have wanted to pull the radiator and replace no telling how many parts.

Thanks Again DTR,
CR

 

I think it's great that we have a place to get info and help each other out.

 

Of course it the average Joe help the other average Joe! Other than that we have the dealer! Yuck! ...

I've learn more about diesels here than I have by talking to a dealer or mechanic.

Thank to all of you members...

 

Yeah, this site saves you money on repairs, but it costs you money due to the bombing bug. I would have never thought when I bought my truck that I would add a plate and GSk... But I LOVE it!

 

I am learning alot here also. Now, as my grandfather used to say: " drop your dime!"

 

Just like in the winter dead idle is hard on your engine and components, the air conditioning condensor needs air moving through it hence "HEAT" is always being drawn through the radiator second. Idling up to 12-1400 rpm allows the cooling fan to draw more air through and cool the condensor and radiator, air conditioning is the absence of heat. If the system can't dissipate the heat the cab won't get cold and the engine cooling system will be over stressed with excess heat , the truck will always cool better at highway speed than putting through town at 20-30 miles per hour. Remember these trucks have 3 radiators stacked together and cleanliness is a must and each one restricts the others flow along with the heat generated from the first 2 must flow through the coolant/engine radiator. PK

 

Thanks P Kennedy,
Exactly what I found out. Now I'm trying to figure out a way to clean the "other" two better.

CR