Red get hold of a candy thermometer and when the tuck gets up to temp check the coolant with it to verify you trucks temp gauge . Or go rent a thermal gun , the kind you point at something and it read the temp of the item . Point the gun at the radiator and see what the temp is .

 

Here's a report on my next attempt to solve my troubles. I bought the new thermostat from my dealer. It was $38 and some change, including tax. I drained some coolant out of the bottom of my radiator. I then removed the radiator hose, and then removed the three bolts holding the gooseneck on. I removed the old thermostat and seal. Then, I took the gooseneck and cleaned it up on the wire wheel on my bench grinder. I installed the new thermostat and seal. Next, I coated the sealing surfaces with red RTV, and then I reinstalled the gooseneck. Got everything gently tightened down and then put the radiator hose back on. BTW, I dropped the hose clamp and wouldn't you know - it went right into my bucket of antifreeze. Just my luck, but I just didn't know that I was about to have another jolt of bad luck. When I was re-tightening the drain **** on the bottom of the radiator, I broke the silly thing. Actually, this is the second one I have broken. The last time I drained coolant, which was over a year ago, I did the exact same thing! Those things are flimsy as a wet noodle. I have a good notion to make one on a lathe at work as soon as I can get a new one to measure. Anywho, as soon as I can get back by the dealership tomorrow, I'll come home, finish the job and then report back as to whether my trouble is gone or not. Hopefully, the news will be good.........

 

That is some bad luck.

If the harness checks out and there is no temp indication, the sending unit you bought has to be bad.

I don't do the AOL IM, but I do have the MSN version. Contact info is listed in my profile.

I'll get that e-mail out in the morning.

 

Red , maybe you should back off on the weight training for a while , you don't know your own strength ! Today WILL be a better day !

 

Those stupid drain***** are pretty weak if you ask me. Their first mistake was to make the end of it fit a 3/4" wrench. Lemme tell ya, you won't need anywheres near a wrench that big to shatter one of these flimsy things. Actually, I think the trouble is that the part is hollow. It has a socket in the end to accept an Allen wrench. I remember now installing the one I just broke with an Allen wrench and being careful not to break it. This time, I used that ol' 3/4" to attempt to reinstall it, and it snapped right in the threads....JUST like the last time. You'd think I would learn.... The dealer had them in stock, so I bought another one for $5. I have to wonder if the thing was solid instead of hollow if it wouldn't be a bit more sturdy. Maybe I will make a solid one next week and see how it works. For now, I just keep contributing to the payroll at my local dealer.........

 

So how is it now? Still overheating? Or fixed?

 

Yeah...what he said.

Get my e-mail?

 

I have heard of the engine coolant eating through the block without a special additive that you can only get from the dealer. Is this a rumor or is there any proof to it??

Also, my diesel runs on the cool side. (barley getting into the normal range, sometimes not at all). Is this compromising any of my preformance?

 

Welp, I changed out that thermostat and the truck is STILL overheating. I put my old sensor back in because I never could get that new one to work at all. I test drive the truck today and the problem is still there. I drove up a 4 or 5 mile stretch of 6% grade with the cruise set at 55 MPH and the guage really shot up there. I pulled over about 2/3 of the way up and the guage came back down to where it always runs in about 5 minutes and I was on my way. Isn't it a little odd that the truck will cool itself off so quickly after running that hot? Anyways, after the first trip up the big hill, I put a new radiator cap on it and tried it again. But, that didn't help it either. Also, coming back home, with the cruise set at 75 on relatively flat ground, the guage went almost to the beginning of the H section in 25 miles. I found a mechanic with one of those infrared guns and I am waiting on his phone call right now. I'll let you know what I find out.........

 

I used that heat gun on the truck. While at normal operating temp on the guage, I shot the area around the thermostat housing and it was 190 degrees, like it should have been. Then, I ran the truck hard until it got hot and shot it again. This time, the gun read 235 degrees. So, at least I know now that the truck is actually getting hot and that my sensor is good.

The mechanic noticed there was a little slop in the water pump bearings. He said that although the pump wasn't leaking yet, that it was on its way to going bad. His recommendation was to replace the water pump and while I had it all torn apart (again) to check out the radiator. His bet was that the radiator was partially stopped up and that I wasn't getting enough coolant flow to cool the thing under a load. He did say that the water pump could be the problem, but his bet was the radiator. So, now I guess I'll start shopping for a water pump.

BTW....so much for towing the camper this weekend. Boy am I in the doghouse.........

 

I am in complete agreement with your mechanic here. Get both of them replaced before you crack your cylinder head. I know it's expensive but consider the cost of engine repairs.

 

Yeah, I plan to. I just can't get it fixed fast enough to suit my wife, who really had her heart set on pulling the camper up to the mountains this week-end and setting it up beside a peaceful stream. Guess we all pretty much had our hearts set on it. Anyone wanna let me borrow a truck for a couple days? Maybe I can find some place that will rent me one.

Anywho, I have noticed water pumps on e b a y before, but have never looked at them all that closely. Are those things any good? I know another mechanic at my local dealer who can get parts for me at his cost. I'll probably go that route unless someone enlightens me as to a better way.........

 

This would be a good time to add a coolant filter too. Protect that new pump and keep the radiator cleaned out to boot.

 

Hmmm....good idea. Perhaps I will do that.

Since we couldn't tow the camper, we had to "settle" for a condo this past week-end. I guess we faired OK.........

And, BTW, I DID get your e-mail, cookie. THANKS!!!!

 

Did you replace the pump? Did it fix the overheating? My bet is the radiator is dirty and needs cleaning, right? Also, after starting the truck, are you seeing the coolant circulate?