Overheating, need help
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2010
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Overheating, need help
Hello all, its been awhile since here. The Ex has been running great, until lately. Its a 2001 V-10 4x4, 35" tires, stock 3.73 gears, 155,000 miles. I have had it since 93,000 miles & have driven same roads & pulled same trailers & loads. Now when towing, even lighter loads (3000-4000lbs) up longer hills it will start to overheat, in the past the temp gauge would not move, at all! Now have to stop half way up hill to let it cool down. When stopped & in neutral, with a little rev. 1500 rpm or so, the temp will slowly & steadly drop to almost normal. Then can finish hill before gets too hot again.
I changed the thermastat, no change.
What are your suggestions? I am fairly capiable at doing req. maintance & fix its, want to cover what I can do before having to pay somebody to look at it.
Thanks for all your help, greatly appreciated.
Leon
I changed the thermastat, no change.
What are your suggestions? I am fairly capiable at doing req. maintance & fix its, want to cover what I can do before having to pay somebody to look at it.
Thanks for all your help, greatly appreciated.
Leon
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 898
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It's time to check the fan clutch and radiator/condenser. Are your fins all bent over in front? Can you shine a flashlight on the back side and see through them?
Read this on diagnosing the fan clutch:
Part 3 -BAD Fan Clutch Troubleshooting Case Study (GM 4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L)
Read this on diagnosing the fan clutch:
Part 3 -BAD Fan Clutch Troubleshooting Case Study (GM 4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L)
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,607
Likes: 151
From: SE Georgia
Take a hose and spray down all 4 heat exchangers at the grille. Dust/Bugs can do a real number on radiators and cause overheating problems.
But I'd expect your fan isn't working properly. Especially if you aren't boiling/overflowing
But I'd expect your fan isn't working properly. Especially if you aren't boiling/overflowing
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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I had one from Texas that had enough dirt in the radiator to fill a five gallon bucket. Even found a dead bird in there, and there wasn't hardly an opening in the condenser either for air to go through.
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2010
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I don't hear the fan roaring when it is creeping up or even when stoped & cooling down. I will read the link on that, thanks. Would flushing the cooling system & new antifreeze help? Don't know if that has ever been done.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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Good question - thermostats can be bad straight from the factory, or installed upside down. Others need weep holes to work properly.
You can diagnose all the thermostat problems by checking the temperature of the upper hose. Should be nice and hot! Follow the heat - is the lower hose cooler or same temperature as upper hose?
You can diagnose all the thermostat problems by checking the temperature of the upper hose. Should be nice and hot! Follow the heat - is the lower hose cooler or same temperature as upper hose?
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Freshman User
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I just got what O'Reilly had in stock, its a 185deg. Yes there is antifreeze in it. & no doesnt lose any. Just topped it off for first time in 3 yrs & it hasn't moved at all since.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
First time in 3 years? When's the last time it was flushed?
Remember the coolant has a 30,000 mile change interval. You may have some corrosion damage that's obstructing part of your radiator.
Remember the coolant has a 30,000 mile change interval. You may have some corrosion damage that's obstructing part of your radiator.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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An obstruction can be diagnosed by checking the temperature of the radiator hoses. A cool lower hose and warm or hot upper hose would be a good indication. If there is flow the upper will be very hot, the lower less so.