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coolant system pressure

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Old Mar 29, 2015 | 01:19 PM
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coolant system pressure

I just did a pressure check on the cooling system on my 04 6 liter. It reached 16lbs towing an enclosed trailer and into a strong head wind. I was just wondering what's the Normal pressure suppose to be, or is there a Normal pressure. I'm using the new style cap with the larger spring in it and it didn't kick any coolant out.


Thanks for the help
 
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Old Mar 29, 2015 | 01:32 PM
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Originally Posted by troy676
I just did a pressure check on the cooling system on my 04 6 liter. It reached 16lbs towing an enclosed trailer and into a strong head wind. I was just wondering what's the Normal pressure suppose to be, or is there a Normal pressure. I'm using the new style cap with the larger spring in it and it didn't kick any coolant out.


Thanks for the help
What level is your coolant at in the degas bottle when cold, and what temperature was your coolant at when you hit 16 psi?
 
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Old Mar 29, 2015 | 04:41 PM
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its just above the min level.
 
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Old Mar 29, 2015 | 05:15 PM
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And the temp there are a lot of factors involved there is no real average temp/pressure for every system. 3 to 5 psi is considered by many but like I say a lot of factors involved.
 
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Old Mar 29, 2015 | 05:58 PM
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I hook the scan gauge up and check the coolant temp.
 
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Old Mar 29, 2015 | 06:04 PM
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The harder the engine works and the more heat it creates the higher the coolant pressure.

3-5 psi is a good rule of thumb for simple driving conditions, ECT 190-198 or so.

Working it hard will see higher pressures, over 200 ECT under load it isn't unreasonable to see 8-12 psi.

Over 12-14 psi is an indication of an issue IMHO.

Josh
 
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Old Mar 29, 2015 | 06:48 PM
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I plan on taking the truck cross country in a month so I figured I better check a few things, I'm doing a coolant flush and thermostat change shortly. Then I'll use the scan gauge at the same time as when I'm doing the pressure recheck. May even try a different gauge, just to verify that its working properly.
 
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Old Mar 30, 2015 | 04:49 PM
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Just did another test drive, reached 15 psi and 200 coolant temp.
 
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Old Mar 30, 2015 | 05:09 PM
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Does it spike up or just gradually rise?
 
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Old Mar 30, 2015 | 06:30 PM
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goes up slowly
 
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Old Mar 30, 2015 | 06:33 PM
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Is there a bunch of mud or crap in between the radiator and innercooler? Is 200 ect unloaded just cruising?
 
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Old Mar 30, 2015 | 07:02 PM
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No mud or crap obstructing the air flow. That's towing my enclosed trailer. It runs about 9 psi 184 coolant temp not towing and just driving.
 
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Old Mar 30, 2015 | 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by troy676
Just did another test drive, reached 15 psi and 200 coolant temp.
I've seen closer to 18 psi when i was hammering on my truck, but im tuned to the max.
 
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Old Mar 30, 2015 | 09:32 PM
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this truck is bone stock, except for the blue spring. about 160,00 miles.
 
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Old Mar 30, 2015 | 09:50 PM
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Head Gasket Issue?
After your truck is up to temperature and the pressure is up ,carefully vent the coolant pressure. Then drive your truck hard, you should be at or around zero. If your pressure rises you may have a bad head gasket. I see up to 16-18 psi, but im using extreme tuning. You could pressurize the system cold and it should hold 15 pi for at least 1 minute.
 
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