When to replace head gaskets?
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 155
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
It sound to me like your truck is running warmer than normal and you have picked up on it early. Good job keepin an eye on things. I know these 6.0’s are a little different than most but I think talking head gaskets and oil coolers is a bit premature. If my truck did that, I would monitor fan operation, flush the cooling system (with chemicals) and try fresh coolant if it hasn’t been done in the last couple years. The thermostat could also be suspect. If I got that far and it was still running too warm, I would put a water pump on it, they are wear items and it doesn’t have to be pouring coolant on the ground. It’s difficult to see behind the big pulley even with a flashlight and mirror. Running warmer at idle then cooling off while driving makes me suspect the pump less, often it’s the other way around. Our trucks are also getting some years and miles on them and a good cleaning of the outside of the radiator and other coolers may help also.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 74
Likes: 2
I had this exact problem once before. Fan clutch is not engaging properly. Check by grounding the blue wire from the harness to the alternator cast. If fan engages, you can rule that out. If fan does not engage, you have identified your culprit. Also, check for exterior obstructions in front of the radiator. Plastic bags, trash bags, mud dobbers, pretty much anything that can block the flow of air being pulled by the fan when idling. Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but failure of an EGR cooler could also cause higher temperatures.
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