This truck overheated on me, about last summer or so. So I did what anyone else would do and put a new thermostat in it. That was easy enough.
I drained all the old fluid out and poured in a gallon of new (Concentrate) coolant, and topped it off with distilled water.
It went maybe 6 months before it overheated again. Then it got to where I couldn't go more than 5 or 6 miles before it would overheat.
The overheating was quickened if I ran the A/C. So I've babied it through winter and it didn't overheat at all, through the winter months.
But now it's overheating again, even without the A/C being on. So I got some Prestone radiator flush, added that, and drove around all day.
They were short trips here and short trips there, but the total run time was a couple of hours. So I drained all of that out, flush it out with water, (about 6 gallons),
and removed the thermostat completely, then I poured in yet another gallon of coolant and again followed that up with distilled water.
The weird thing is: It doesn't "Slowly get hotter" It's running at perfect temp, and then without any indication, the temp gauge slams to the hot and it starts to boil over.
I don't understand, how it could be fine and then in a blink of an eye it is hot and boiling over? I've checked the clutch fan and it seems fine. I try to spin it and give it a good "fling" and it only turns about a quarter turn, then stops.
I'm thinking the water pump, but I have no idea really. There are so many different squeaks, rattles, chatter, and knocking under the hood, I just don't know what sound is what.
It doesn't seem to overheat on the highway as quickly as it does through town with all the stop and go.
So that leads me to look at the clutch fan. (?) Would the water pump do that? I know a bad clutch fan will. I don't know about a water pump doing that.
I have a feeling that a new water pump and a clutch fan is in my future.
So, any input from you guys would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

Good Saturday morning Phill. I would start with the fan clutch not locking up or staying locked up in town. Highway would have plenty of air flow and keep it cooler.

 

I'm not 100% sure, but I think the water pump is leaking, just a tad.
I'll try to figure out what exactly is leaking. It's not much but I do see a few drops of coolant on the pavement, right under where the water pump is.

 

Most likely it is the pump leaking out the weep hole.

 

Me thinks the pump is leaking because of the constant overheating. Bet it's the fan clutch not working right. Also check the electrical plug going to it. Lots of times that plug fails or gets torn/broken.

 

I'll check for the electrical plug, today.
Never knew a clutch fan would have any electrical input to it.
I have a video of the fan, as I try to fling it around.

 

I guess I didn't think about you having a gas engine. I keep thinking diesel. So your fan prob doesn't have the electrical control on it. Sorry.

 

Well, I bit the bullet and ordered from RockAuto and got a water pump, fan clutch, upper, and lower hoses, thermostat (failsafe) and serpentine belt (while I'm there...)
I had to wait for a dry day. It has rained almost every day for about 10 days now, and on the one day it didn't rain, I had two Doctors appointments.
So today is the day. I've got it all apart and it hasn't been bad at all.. so far. (I probably just jinxed myself)
I'm taking a break at halftime, to eat something. And sip on a "Wobble Pop" I'm cutting carbs and I'm a diabetic, so it gets dicey at times.
So, halftime is over, and it's back out to the truck, sun and fun!



I'd be lost without that brown blanket, I kinda feel like Linus...

 

That is the hard part, getting everything apart!

Now to get it all back and nothing left over! LOL

 

"With nothing left over"
I don't think I've ever achieved that, with any vehicle I've worked on.
I didn't get finished yesterday. I decided to change the oil since the oil filter was in my way of the bottom hose clamp/engine side of the hose.
Then after a took a trip to get the oil and filter, I liked to never got the bolt/ oil pan plug out. It would not break free. I don't know who put the Godzilla torque to it, but I had to use a half inch drive and a cheater bar to get it loose. Then, my dumb@55 put the new filter on and fresh oil.
Then I realized I needed the oil filter off to get to the hose clamp on the bottom hose... By that time I was losing daylight so I cleaned up and left it for Sunday.
I'd like to do it today but I promised my little sister I would work on her front porch and hang some paddle fans at her house.
But, I did get the new water pump and new belt on. I've got the fan blade switch over to the the new clutch, and the new thermostat installed.
So that bottom hose is going to be the major event for tomorrow.

 

Morning Phill and sounds like you had one of my afternoons under the hood with the cart before the horse! LOL

 

Yeah, when I start getting fatigued and make dumb mistakes like that, it's time to give it a break.

 

If you didn't start the truck you can still pull the filer as it doesn't fill until you do....right?

 

I don't have to get fatigued, I just forget what I am doing! Of all the things I have lost in my life, my mind is the one I will miss the most!

 

Well, she's all back together and running. New coolant, new thermostat, water pump, fan clutch, serpentine belt, upper hose, and changed the oil and filter.
I drove it to Autozone to return the clutch holder wrench thing, got credit on my card. I let it run while at Autozone, and that was a 15 minute wait time there. They couldn't find on their computer where I had even picked up the tool.
So I looked at my bank account on my phone, and had to tell the exact amount of the charge, so they found it that way. The whole time I'm looking out the window at my truck, about half expecting to see steam rolling out from under the hood. But, it was fine when I got out of there, then drove up to the beer store, (14 blocks) and let it run while I went in there to pick up my favorite Wobble Pop. Drove it back to the apartment and all was well.
I didn't want to try the interstate yet, I'm way too tired to deal with any problems that could come up. So that will be the test for tomorrow.
And I didn't have any parts left over. Which kinda worries me...there should be at least a washer, or something but no... the nut and bolt cup was empty and everything was in it's place.
So, if it overheats now... It could only be the radiator, or something in the block. We will see.