Overheating !!!
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Also make sure it has the correct thermostat. 2 versions are available for the 7.3, one long and one short. If I recall correctly the short version is for the pre 1999 7.3 and the long is for the 1999 and later. Sorry not to post more info but if you do a search on thermostats in this forum you should come up with some good hits including measurements. I'm short on time right now or I would do it myself.
I will have a look for that information and i guess i best find out what thermostat they put in for me.. When i spoke to my mechanic yesterday he was talking about potentially putting a high flow thermostat in it too.. Again not overly sure what that is but thank god for google hey.....
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Also..../ don't put to much faith in the dash gauge. If you can get your hands on an infrared thermometer try taking a reading off the thermostat housing when the gauge shows you are overheating. My guess for a good operating temp at the top of a hill pulling a 3t trailer on the wrong side of the road would be 220ish F aka 104*C to 240f or 115C if you are near coober pedy in January ( cause it's hot there in January).
Would that be something i could pick up at your general auto shop?
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
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From: Bryson City NC
Hey mate, we are just running off the dash temp gauge, not a super mechanical fella ha ha ha
The fan definitely doesn't sound like we are about to take off and its brand new!!! I believe they work off the water pump so I'm hoping that replacing the water pump may fix that issue as well!! I can here the fan when i first start the engine cold but it still doesn't roar..
The fan definitely doesn't sound like we are about to take off and its brand new!!! I believe they work off the water pump so I'm hoping that replacing the water pump may fix that issue as well!! I can here the fan when i first start the engine cold but it still doesn't roar..
Pretty sure it works off the fan clutch!
The fan only really takes off is when the temps are hot! Smokie
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Jefferson, Iowa
I would check the belt tensioner, belt, degas tank Cap and coolant pressure wile under load. If the belt is slipping you will not have significant fan speed or pump rpm. If the system is not holding pressure your coolant boil point will be much lower than necessary, making the coolant boil within the engine block, which will create cooling problems. Another possible problem, although rare with a 7.3, would be head gaskets. You will see a sharp spike in cooling system pressure when boost is high. You will see the pressure spike to the pressure cap rating (16psi) iirc. Just t in a basic 30 psi gauge and route a temporary hose to inside the cab and put a load on it. I have a link showing a 6.0 hooked up.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,833
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From: Jefferson, Iowa
The 7.3 does not have a vistronic drive fan like the 6.0, 6.4 and 6.7. The 6.0s are controlled using inputs from the ect, eot, tft and iat2 sensors. It is a pulse width signal iirc.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Jefferson, Iowa
Here is the link. This is a 6.0 but the same principal, just never mind the talk of an egr failure because you guys don't have an egr system. Enjoy
Coolant Pressure / "Head Gasket" Test on a 6.0L Powerstroke:
Coolant Pressure / "Head Gasket" Test on a 6.0L Powerstroke:
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If your pullin a load and yer temp is rising you should def be hearing that fan! I know you said it was new but take my word for it mate that puppy should be howling !Pretty sure it works off the fan clutch!The fan only really takes off is when the temps are hot!
Smokie
Pretty sure it works off the fan clutch!The fan only really takes off is when the temps are hot! Smokie
I just read something that said when replacing the fan clutch you should really replace the water pump at the same time as they have a similar lifespan and I also interpreted that they both work off the same shaft.. that may just be my mechanical ignorance....
I tell you i have learnt a lot about mechanics in the last few months
and still learning 
thanks for your input though
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The mechanic did a lot of work. Was the truck first brought in for overheating, or did this show up after the work started?
If the thermostat was bad, and the wrong one was put in as a replacement - that could cause an issue. The thermostat needs a tiny hole in it to let the air vent through, as the thermostat is mounted vertically.
Is anything unusual showing up in the coolant reservoir (degas bottle)? Fuel, oil, soot, or whatever?
If the thermostat was bad, and the wrong one was put in as a replacement - that could cause an issue. The thermostat needs a tiny hole in it to let the air vent through, as the thermostat is mounted vertically.
Is anything unusual showing up in the coolant reservoir (degas bottle)? Fuel, oil, soot, or whatever?
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Thanks for the info 78fordman!! doesn't really make sense to me all that but i will try and learn bit more about it all and watch those video links 
Rich, the overheating issue started before any work was done on it. I took it in for a service and told them about the problem and the thermostat was the first thing they replaced.. (also had to replace front springs and steering joints that service too
)
would love this truck if i could trust it a bit more !!!
Rich, the overheating issue started before any work was done on it. I took it in for a service and told them about the problem and the thermostat was the first thing they replaced.. (also had to replace front springs and steering joints that service too
) would love this truck if i could trust it a bit more !!!
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