I have been reading and am having trouble finding a answer. I just bought this truck for a pretty good price it has 225000 on it the engine was over heating. The guy put new rad, new water pump, new fan clutch, and a new heater core with thermostat. The truck still over heated so I pulled the thermostat to see what happens and the truck over heats even faster. All this happens while driving regardless of ac on or off. I got a motor and put a motor in it with all new pump and thermostat. I put new coolant in and flush radiator. I cut a hole in the cat to see if the cat was plugged for the truck seems to have low power and sputters. With in 1mile the truck over heated dumping all the coolant out of the system which the truck did as well before. Anyone have any ideas on this because I am lost now. Will the diesel rad work in this truck I have a diesel one I can put in since its a bigger rad?

 

We need more info, year, and engine would help. Id say head gasket issue. If its a diesel there could be cavitaion issues in the block if its a diesel.

 

How do you know the previous owner put a NEW radiator in?

 

You may need to have a "pressure test" for the cooling system . This will tell you if there is a leak , if so, then either a damaged gasket or cracked block . Leaking hot combustion gases (into cooling system)will cause the type of symptoms you are having . Auto part stores sell kits for pressure test .

Good luck,

 

[quote=Moyerboy;13668290] I got a motor and put a motor in it with all new pump and thermostat. [quote]

New engine in truck?

 

When it overheats, is the upper radiator hose hot? What about the lower? Does the cooling fan come on? Is it blowing HOT air?

A bigger radiator is certainly not the answer here. Something is wrong, and if it was replaced it's not the radiator. I wonder if something could be blocking your radiator hoses.

 

Wow, new everything and still the same outcome. Very strange indeed.

I agree that possibly something is in a hose at this point. Unless you got two bad headgasket motors in a row.

 

Sorry its a 00 with a 5.4L in it and I put a new pump in the used engine I bought and the owner parked the vehicle because it was wrecked and he didn't want to fix it. I took all the hoses off the truck and checked them. I know the rad was new one it looks new and he gave me all the paper work on the truck since he had bought it of what he had done. I ran water thru the rad with no hoses on it and had great flow. I dropped the fan when changing the pump so I have to go buy a new rad now. I am at wits end on this thing. After I get this problem fixed I have a miss that both engines have and doesn't put out any codes other than over heat codes.

 

When it over heats the top line is warm but you cant touch the bottom line the fan never comes on because as soon as it goes I shut the truck off and watch 4gallon of coolant come out the degas bottle.

 

Are you sure you are getting all the air out of the motor when adding coolant? You have the run the truck up to temp with the radiator cap off and keep adding fluid after the thermostat opens.

 

Just for grins you might have a clogged heater core or a bad thermostat, make sure you replace it with a motorcraft stat as aftermarket ones have been known to cause issues.

 

stupid thought , may be , is the serpentine belt routed properly ? after all this work , I ASSUME it has been on and off a few times . If routed improperly , the wp may not turn the proper direction . Not sure if possible on this set up , just a thought . I have seen reverse rotation issues on GM and Jeep engines .

 

I didn't use a motorcraft thermostat and I am pretty sure I am getting all the air out of the system. I will try this week when I get my new rad. The heater core is new as well on the truck.

 

There are many posts on here about aftermarket thermostats causing that same issue, Are you running a motorcraft coolant bottle cap?

 

I believe the OP mentioned running the truck without a thermostat even in the motor and still overheating.

I also agree to check the belt is turning the water pump the right way.

I had it written out to check that your fan is turning the right way when the motor is running but then I seen an electric fan mentioned?