Running hot under load
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Joined: Jul 2016
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Running hot under load
Been fighting a coolant issue on '02 F250 4x4 with 7.3. Truck runs hot when under load (ie towing, or ac running on a hot day going down the road). Will sit and idle all day with ac on high and 100° outside. I hear my fan at cold start as normal but that's the only time I hear it. Still has original water pump, fan clutch and radiator. I know all three could stand to be replaced with 340,000 on it. But can't afford to do it all at once. What are your thoughts?
Btw New to posting, I have always been able to search and find the solution.
Btw New to posting, I have always been able to search and find the solution.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,267
Likes: 1,651
From: Las Cruces New Mexico
Welcome to FTE,
Most likely its your radiator, a bad pump will most of the time leak coolant, a fan clutch kicks in when it detect hotter than normal airflow which leaves you radiator suspect. Another less likely thing would be a faulty CTS or a gauge cluster itself.
Most likely its your radiator, a bad pump will most of the time leak coolant, a fan clutch kicks in when it detect hotter than normal airflow which leaves you radiator suspect. Another less likely thing would be a faulty CTS or a gauge cluster itself.
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New User
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Been leaning towards the radiator myself here lately. I don't have a true gauge for coolant temp but I do have torque pro and the highest I seen oil temp was 225, before I backed out of it and let it cool down. Usually just a few minutes of idle is all it needs.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,267
Likes: 1,651
From: Las Cruces New Mexico
The only way is to take the plastic caps off and run some wire threw each cell which I would not recommend. New radiators arnt that expensive, but before you start throwing parts at it, make sure what the real problem is.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,315
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From: Amarillo, TEXAS!
I'd really like to know the logic behind that statement.
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New User
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I used the old hard to try and find cold spots, and pretty sure I felt some. Being 100° right now everything is hot! Been trying to find someone with a temp gun but no luck with all my broke friends.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
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Depending on how much you drive off the road , you may benefit from looking between the condensor and the radiator to see if its full of trash. Happens a lot in my world.
If its truly raising up and you are not hearing fan, i would consider replacing the clutch as you know its not kicking in.
If its truly raising up and you are not hearing fan, i would consider replacing the clutch as you know its not kicking in.
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New User
Joined: Jul 2016
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Depending on how much you drive off the road , you may benefit from looking between the condensor and the radiator to see if its full of trash. Happens a lot in my world.
If its truly raising up and you are not hearing fan, i would consider replacing the clutch as you know its not kicking in.
If its truly raising up and you are not hearing fan, i would consider replacing the clutch as you know its not kicking in.
Checked that last night. Honestly the fins look a whole lot better than I thought they would.
As far as the fan clutch... are these a variable speed? Do they run as needed or is it either normal or hurricane force winds?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 9
From: Washington State
Run as needed, when it does, you can't carry on a conversation standing next to your motor. You might want to change your T-stat. and check your lower radiator hose. it tends to collapse when your hoggin it. Or at least mine did towing my 5vr.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,267
Likes: 1,651
From: Las Cruces New Mexico
When one of the fleet trucks radiator was clogged only 2.5-3 gallons went in, after changing it 5 gals went in, the old raddiator also weight a lot more.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 687
Likes: 15
From: Lake Charles, LA
If its all original with 340k, id lean to radiator and tstat. If water pump isnt leaking out of the weep hole its still good, but may be worth changing if also original. Im on my 3rd water pump, i got 180k out of first and 170k out of 2nd. Original radiator was changed at 200k, due to a leak and not so much performance. These things can last a long time, but nothing lasts forever...