Trouble shooting overheating issues
#1
Trouble shooting overheating issues
So, the 450 didn't do too well this past weekend. We experienced overheating issues....(needle in the red and lights on the dash...). Kinda a bummer especially since I expected the med duty truck to pull better than my F250 does. Two issues on the table....overheating and the engine is down on power (compared to my pickups).
So, overheating issue first.
Things I've learned while troubleshooting my issue:
So, I'll slap the radiator back in tonight, install a new t-stat since I happen to have one in the box (I'll save the old stat just in case..). I think I'll swap the fan/clutch from my wife's truck (since it's fairly new) and see if the engine runs cooler.
If so, then I'll look into my power issue. I've suspected the injectors were worn ever since I got the truck. It has decent power but not what I expect compared to my other trucks. The injectors have almost 200k now and I presume they have lived a hard life so I'll go ahead and get them rebuilt with new nozzles sometime this fall.
Since the water temp was super high, I can only assume the oil temp was pretty high as well and perhaps the PCM was defueling?
Max boost was around 25 psi but I didn't get any over boost codes so I am a little bit baffled by that.
I think I really need a fuel pressure gauge on this truck....
Oh yeah....footnote: Banks Brake sucks! The OEM EBPV totally rocks over the Banks unit. Just an FYI....if you are considering a Banks Brake, don't waste your money.
Oh well, here are some pics. This is what the radiator looked like before and after and also what the T-stat looks like at full open (just yanked out of a pot of boiling water...)
So, overheating issue first.
Things I've learned while troubleshooting my issue:
- The thermostat begins to open at 195 degrees
- T-stat fully open by 205 degrees (about 3/16" at full open)
- Removing the radiator is pretty darn easy
- A radiator shop can remove the plastic tanks (upper and lower), flush the core and clean everything up for about $95
- There are two OEM versions of lower radiator hoses....(buyer beware)
- If your degass bottle cap isn't holding pressure, you can remove the o-ring, flip it around and it will hold pressure until you can locate a dealer and get a replacement for under $10
So, I'll slap the radiator back in tonight, install a new t-stat since I happen to have one in the box (I'll save the old stat just in case..). I think I'll swap the fan/clutch from my wife's truck (since it's fairly new) and see if the engine runs cooler.
If so, then I'll look into my power issue. I've suspected the injectors were worn ever since I got the truck. It has decent power but not what I expect compared to my other trucks. The injectors have almost 200k now and I presume they have lived a hard life so I'll go ahead and get them rebuilt with new nozzles sometime this fall.
Since the water temp was super high, I can only assume the oil temp was pretty high as well and perhaps the PCM was defueling?
Max boost was around 25 psi but I didn't get any over boost codes so I am a little bit baffled by that.
I think I really need a fuel pressure gauge on this truck....
Oh yeah....footnote: Banks Brake sucks! The OEM EBPV totally rocks over the Banks unit. Just an FYI....if you are considering a Banks Brake, don't waste your money.
Oh well, here are some pics. This is what the radiator looked like before and after and also what the T-stat looks like at full open (just yanked out of a pot of boiling water...)
#2
#4
I remember how my F250 felt when it's injectors were worn out....this truck feels about the same way. That's OK though....I pretty much expected this when I bought the truck back in Dec but I wanted to give a real trial pull up some serious mountains just to be certain. Now I am certain.
Thank you for the offer but I'll be heading back up to the rim on Thurs evening. I left the whole family up there. They are fishing and enjoying the 80 degree daytime temps and 50 degree nights while I melt down here in the valley.
At this point I am undecided if I'll take the F250 or F450 back up with me. I know my 250 will tow the rig back since it's done it for years already...but I'd like to test out the 450 to see if the cooling issue is resolved. Decisions, decisions...
#5
#6
The overheating can cause a loss of power. Also, I was having dead throttle issues a year or so ago. Turned out to be the IPR. It was sticking. I chased all sorts of wrong solutions before I figured it out. I finally ran AE on it one afternoon and noticed at idle at a stop light, the DC was 1.55%. Changed the IPR and its been great ever since.
#7
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#8
Do you have any links on the Evans coolant? I know zero about that stuff...
The overheating can cause a loss of power. Also, I was having dead throttle issues a year or so ago. Turned out to be the IPR. It was sticking. I chased all sorts of wrong solutions before I figured it out. I finally ran AE on it one afternoon and noticed at idle at a stop light, the DC was 1.55%. Changed the IPR and its been great ever since.
Yeah, I am sorta hoping that my power issue is partially due to the excessive oil temps. I am still pretty sure that my injectors aren't tip top but I was seeing about 25 psi of boost on the serious hills so there is a little bit of me that wonders if weak injectors can make that much boost?
My dealer wants over $400 for that thing.
#9
Check with Bob at Dieselsite. that's where I picked up mine. I've got over 100K on the coolant and its still good. I like everything about the stuff other than the price but its good for 1M miles so once and done. I run his 203 tstat and gross over 29K and I can't make this thing over heat if I keep the RPM at 2000-2400 even in the western rockies.
http://www.dieselsite.com/evansnpgnp...uantities.aspx
Barney
http://www.dieselsite.com/evansnpgnp...uantities.aspx
Barney
#10
Check with Bob at Dieselsite. that's where I picked up mine. I've got over 100K on the coolant and its still good. I like everything about the stuff other than the price but its good for 1M miles so once and done. I run his 203 tstat and gross over 29K and I can't make this thing over heat if I keep the RPM at 2000-2400 even in the western rockies.
http://www.dieselsite.com/evansnpgnp...uantities.aspx
Barney
http://www.dieselsite.com/evansnpgnp...uantities.aspx
Barney
Thanks Barney,
I just watched the video on Jay Leno's Garage. Apparently he uses the stuff in a lot of his vehicles as well. Even showed an aluminum head plate that had a lot of corrosion on the back side that could have been avoided by using the Evan's Coolant.
$40 a gallon is pricey though....
Does sound like pretty good stuff. I presume the zero pressure is due to the lack of water so the fluid does not expand with heat?
#12
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#14
Greg, I run EVENS also. Its not cheap, but as stated above, as long as you don't loose it for some reason, you aren't going to replace it either. Mine also has a 203* stat and at 65mph (empty) with 85* amb. the coolant temp. is 203*, my oil temp is 30* cooler. I use the stock cap because I don't know if the system requires pressure. I ran zero press for a week or two so any water left after the flush and drain could evaporate from the system. When the condensation was gone from the top of the degas bottle I put the stock cap back on. I Also run the filter which keeps it so clear. I don't think this would solve the problem, but after you find the problem, this system will keep the inside clean. Hope you figure it out.
Jim.
Jim.
#15
Greg, I run EVENS also. Its not cheap, but as stated above, as long as you don't loose it for some reason, you aren't going to replace it either. Mine also has a 203* stat and at 65mph (empty) with 85* amb. the coolant temp. is 203*, my oil temp is 30* cooler. I use the stock cap because I don't know if the system requires pressure. I ran zero press for a week or two so any water left after the flush and drain could evaporate from the system. When the condensation was gone from the top of the degas bottle I put the stock cap back on. I Also run the filter which keeps it so clear. I don't think this would solve the problem, but after you find the problem, this system will keep the inside clean. Hope you figure it out.
Jim.
Jim.