Overheating ? Maybe.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 293
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From: Huntsville,Ont.
Overheating ? Maybe.
While doing a routine check before taking out my 88 E350 7.3 I topped off the coolant bottle and afterwards noticed that the temp light was starting to glow and the needle was up a bit.
It never really overheated, but was hotter than usual.
Did not seem to have an excess of pressure as I could take the cap off after a few minutes, but the coolant was up to the top of the neck.
Is it over filled maybe, I seem to remember in the old days it was said to never fill the tank more than half way but I would think it would regulate itself.
Mind you it has been around 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit lately so not exactly a heat wave.
Thought I'd get some feed back first since it's a super pain in the rear to get at the thermostat.
Coolant is clean and engine is running fine, has anti cav. in it.
It never really overheated, but was hotter than usual.
Did not seem to have an excess of pressure as I could take the cap off after a few minutes, but the coolant was up to the top of the neck.
Is it over filled maybe, I seem to remember in the old days it was said to never fill the tank more than half way but I would think it would regulate itself.
Mind you it has been around 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit lately so not exactly a heat wave.
Thought I'd get some feed back first since it's a super pain in the rear to get at the thermostat.
Coolant is clean and engine is running fine, has anti cav. in it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
Likes: 7
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Install a real gauge to be sure. I always thaught mine was running hot also, even with a 180* thermostat.
I used the temp light switch plug on the driver side head
Using the temp light switch, your dash gauge will still work as it always did, but the overheat light will not light up anymore if it does overheat, but with a real gauge you should notice it overheating before it acually does
And I installed the gauge on the right of the steering column.
I used the temp light switch plug on the driver side head
Using the temp light switch, your dash gauge will still work as it always did, but the overheat light will not light up anymore if it does overheat, but with a real gauge you should notice it overheating before it acually does
And I installed the gauge on the right of the steering column.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
Likes: 7
From: Ottawa, Ontario
That's not a bad idea at all, but does it really make a difference?
~ Son
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,322
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From: Mi'kma'ki
its nice to know who we're talking with ya know.
i enjoy reading both of ya's stuff.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,389
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From: Massachusetts
Me too, I like reading about and seeing that doghouse cover on your motorhome!
You could have a REALLY good TURBO whistle with that TURBO being right near ya! hahahaha
You could have a REALLY good TURBO whistle with that TURBO being right near ya! hahahaha
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
Likes: 7
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Oh god don't get me started on that again 
You like seing the doghouse in the motorhome eh?
.......cause it looks SOOOO fun to work on doesn't it?
You like seing the doghouse in the motorhome eh?
.......cause it looks SOOOO fun to work on doesn't it?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,638
Likes: 1
From: Manitoba
In actual fact if the overflow reservoir fluid is to the correct level, the small hose to the rad is clean and tight at the rad end, coolant will pass back and forth between the rad and reservoir as coolant heats and cools. This keeps the rad full to the brim, exactly where intended.
Check the sensor wiring for inadvertent grounding out on the engine somewhere......
Diesel engine coolant temperature at the top of the radiator where hose attaches after high rpm or under load condition for 20 minutes should be (195-237*F) 91-114*C nice time to have a temperature reading point and shoot tool.
Check the sensor wiring for inadvertent grounding out on the engine somewhere......
Diesel engine coolant temperature at the top of the radiator where hose attaches after high rpm or under load condition for 20 minutes should be (195-237*F) 91-114*C nice time to have a temperature reading point and shoot tool.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 293
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From: Huntsville,Ont.
Thanks for this info, that's what I was looking for.
Since my 92 7.3 usually seems to run a bit cooler in winter I felt that the needle being a little over the half way mark and the the engine temp light flickering indicated it was hot, but to be be sure the best thing would be a gauge and temp reading.
I have always hated idiot lights and crappy dash gauges, they only tell you somethings wrong when it's too late or tell you lies.
Yeh, the doghouse is weird but actually being able to get at the back half of the engine is a treat, just sucks at the front half.
I find that just getting it on and off is the worst part.
My future needs are a steering pump replacement and I'm not looking forward to that job, hope it holds until warm weather.
I don't want the mess in the shop right now, too busy with woodworking.
Since my 92 7.3 usually seems to run a bit cooler in winter I felt that the needle being a little over the half way mark and the the engine temp light flickering indicated it was hot, but to be be sure the best thing would be a gauge and temp reading.
I have always hated idiot lights and crappy dash gauges, they only tell you somethings wrong when it's too late or tell you lies.
Yeh, the doghouse is weird but actually being able to get at the back half of the engine is a treat, just sucks at the front half.
I find that just getting it on and off is the worst part.
My future needs are a steering pump replacement and I'm not looking forward to that job, hope it holds until warm weather.
I don't want the mess in the shop right now, too busy with woodworking.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
Likes: 7
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Just count your self luckey you don't have to do the head gaskets on it.....
That wasn't fun at all to do in a van!
I think i've done every single pain in the crapper job on this thing!
Injectors, glow plugs, head gaskets (both sides), water pump, fan clutch, P/S pump, Alternator, Thermostat, mechanical fuel pump, you name it. lol
Only I thing I didn't do my self on this was the Injector Pump, I brought that to a friend of mine at an International Dealer.
That wasn't fun at all to do in a van!
I think i've done every single pain in the crapper job on this thing!
Injectors, glow plugs, head gaskets (both sides), water pump, fan clutch, P/S pump, Alternator, Thermostat, mechanical fuel pump, you name it. lol
Only I thing I didn't do my self on this was the Injector Pump, I brought that to a friend of mine at an International Dealer.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 293
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From: Huntsville,Ont.
Man, you have been through it!
I'd feel jinxed with that going on.
But both my trucks are very low kilometers despite the age.
88 E350 just turned 70,000 miles, 92 F450 super-duty 71,000 kilometers.
I'd feel jinxed with that going on.
But both my trucks are very low kilometers despite the age.
88 E350 just turned 70,000 miles, 92 F450 super-duty 71,000 kilometers.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
Likes: 7
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Most of all my work was done before it even had 150,000km!
You know when you start having a couple problems....then when you adress 'em, another pops out right after you just got done finishing fixing another....? so on and so on.... well I been through that with the 6.9....... Year after year..... for the first 4-5 years of owning it.
Now that everything has been replaced, there isn't anything else that can go wrong anymore!
And it's been 100% problem free for the past 5 years in a row! And it's been in the 5 past years that we've done our bigest trips and longest trips with it!
We put about 10-15,000km a summer on it. Witch is alot considering it's only 1-2 months of use. lol
You know when you start having a couple problems....then when you adress 'em, another pops out right after you just got done finishing fixing another....? so on and so on.... well I been through that with the 6.9....... Year after year..... for the first 4-5 years of owning it.
Now that everything has been replaced, there isn't anything else that can go wrong anymore!
And it's been 100% problem free for the past 5 years in a row! And it's been in the 5 past years that we've done our bigest trips and longest trips with it!
We put about 10-15,000km a summer on it. Witch is alot considering it's only 1-2 months of use. lol
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville,Ont.
All in in all after your initial problems it sounds like your doing pretty good.
Head gaskets seems a bit out of the ordinary though.
I should count myself lucky I guess, I'm on my 4 Ford with a diesel and two of the trucks have so far rotted away before they ever needed major mechanical.
I'm hoping the two I have now will be the last that I NEED to have.
At 6000 or less miles per year the 92 won't likely wear out anyway.
At this rate I'll be gone first!
Head gaskets seems a bit out of the ordinary though.
I should count myself lucky I guess, I'm on my 4 Ford with a diesel and two of the trucks have so far rotted away before they ever needed major mechanical.
I'm hoping the two I have now will be the last that I NEED to have.
At 6000 or less miles per year the 92 won't likely wear out anyway.
At this rate I'll be gone first!