Increased temps, clogged radiator?
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Elder User
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From: Needville, TX
Increased temps, clogged radiator?
my radiator has been leaking very little for some time and it is stock after 250k so im sure it is plugged....my engine has been running 202 .....imma replace it soon and im sure that will help...my tranny only goes over 200 while towing...otherwise if is under 190
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From: Isanti, MN
If you want it to run cooler get a 185° thermostat. It takes ten minutes to install and about $10. Your problem isn't the radiator.
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Elder User
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From: Needville, TX
That's quite an assumption you make; one which I would bet my bank account is wrong. If your radiator is plugged your truck will overheat due to the lack of flow. If you can tow a trailer without blowing your engine up your radiator isn't plugged. It's the thermostat that controls engine temp, not the radiator. One of the trucks that came to the OH meet was a 2000 V10 with a 200° thermostat. Like yours it ran right around 202°, but that had nothing to do with a radiator obstruction.
If you want it to run cooler get a 185° thermostat. It takes ten minutes to install and about $10. Your problem isn't the radiator.
If you want it to run cooler get a 185° thermostat. It takes ten minutes to install and about $10. Your problem isn't the radiator.
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From: Isanti, MN
My truck never before went over 197 and my tranny never went over 190 before this summer and the engine usually ran 193 and the tranny 170ish...but this year the engine STAYS at 202 empty the tranny 180ish ...and my radiator leakes approx 16 ozs of coolant per 500 miles .... you dont think it is the radiator?
$10 and 10 minutes of my time later, the engine holds a toasty 185-190° without any issues. Of course yours is running hotter than usual, but the same thing can happen. Unless the thermostat is wide open the radiator isn't the limiting factor in your cooling ability. So if the thermostat was wide open all the time and you were holding 202° then you may be right. But that's just about impossible to happen during real-world driving.
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From: Needville, TX
at idle my truck can hold mid 190s but the second i get on the gas......even cruising at 20...it holds 202
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From: Isanti, MN
Yeah, I believe it. My Excursion needed a thermostat at 118,000 miles, but I think time and coolant condition affect them much more than mileage. :-confused
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From: Isanti, MN
Sounds like it, if I remember right the interval for my '00 Excursion was every 30,000 miles. I'm splitting this off from the OP's thread, I think we've derailed it enough!
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Elder User
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From: Needville, TX
You are right....imma flush it and sorry for the derailment lol
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