Temp rising-what would you do
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Temp rising-what would you do
Some background: 93 Explorer XLT, automatic with towing package, 3.73 axle w.limited slip. I was towing a trailer with 2 jetskis’, which weigh about 1100 lbs total. The trailer is a Sonic that weighs about 600 lbs which is what is on the title. It has a big fiberglass storage area in the front with a built-in 25 gal.fuel tank with nozzle for dispensing (electric fuel pump). There was no gas in the storage tank.
So as I’m going up a hill (Altamont Pass for anyone in the SF Bay Area), the temp starts to rise. It never gets past the “NORMAL” lettering on the gauge, but as high as “A”. I’m going about 60mph at this time. I crank the heater on to try to remove the heat but it stays where it’s at. Oh yeah, No AC either. So if I slow down to 50 mph, would that have cooled the temp abit? I’m thinking since I had the momentum and it was staying at 60mph, that it waas better to keep it there than slow down. What would you have done?
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Thanks.
So as I’m going up a hill (Altamont Pass for anyone in the SF Bay Area), the temp starts to rise. It never gets past the “NORMAL” lettering on the gauge, but as high as “A”. I’m going about 60mph at this time. I crank the heater on to try to remove the heat but it stays where it’s at. Oh yeah, No AC either. So if I slow down to 50 mph, would that have cooled the temp abit? I’m thinking since I had the momentum and it was staying at 60mph, that it waas better to keep it there than slow down. What would you have done?
<O
></O>Thanks.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
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I would stay into it at 60mph, or whatever speed you want to go. If you read the owners manual it should state that anything in the range of NORMAL is just fine. If you are really concerned about engine temp, put an autometer gauge in as well, so you can have an actual temperature to go by. For what you are towing, I woudlnt worry one bit about the temp. If you are really concerned, slowing down to 50mph should help the temp a bit, but like I said......id stay right into it the whole time.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Lafayette, IN
Don't just put the heater on high--open the windows, too--turns the heater core into a second radiator.
The other thing to do is to make sure that you have the proper amount of coolant. You'd be surprised how low you can be and still be well within "NORMAL", under light loads.
Jason
The other thing to do is to make sure that you have the proper amount of coolant. You'd be surprised how low you can be and still be well within "NORMAL", under light loads.
Jason
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
ChampCar, Welcome to FTE 
The best truck show on the net.
Your engine was working hard pulling the hill, once you leveled off and the strain was lowered the temp should return to normal. If you were still in OD, knocking it off will help. The engine needs to turn more rpms in that case to cool. You did not get outside of the box, but probably were against the edge.
John
The best truck show on the net.Your engine was working hard pulling the hill, once you leveled off and the strain was lowered the temp should return to normal. If you were still in OD, knocking it off will help. The engine needs to turn more rpms in that case to cool. You did not get outside of the box, but probably were against the edge.
John
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Thanks for the advice guys. Yes, great site. So much info!!! 
Sorry to be rude, but forgot the Beer to you guys for my first post.
I was not in overdrive, I had read about not driving and made sure I wasn't in it. The temp. has never gotten that high, so I was just concerned and possibly how to keep it from gettinng that high again since I will be doing this trip many times next summer when ambient temp. will be hotter.
I took a look today and the towing package I got with this truck when I bought it new included a stacked-plate transmission cooler. I've read most didn't include a tranny cooler with the tow package. Saves me from adding one since I thought it didn't have one.
Sorry to be rude, but forgot the Beer to you guys for my first post.I was not in overdrive, I had read about not driving and made sure I wasn't in it. The temp. has never gotten that high, so I was just concerned and possibly how to keep it from gettinng that high again since I will be doing this trip many times next summer when ambient temp. will be hotter.
I took a look today and the towing package I got with this truck when I bought it new included a stacked-plate transmission cooler. I've read most didn't include a tranny cooler with the tow package. Saves me from adding one since I thought it didn't have one.
Last edited by ChampCar; Sep 20, 2005 at 10:30 AM.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 176
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From: Southeast Texas
Have you removed your radiator and had it boiled out? If not, with a '93, it's probably time. Temp creep while towing is a good indicator of reduced flow in your radiator. BTW, no amount of flushing will get your capacity back like boiling out will.
Just a suggestion.
Just a suggestion.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Lynnwood, WA
"A" is still in "NORMAL", 
and as long as you don't boil it over, you should be OK, but make sure you have a proper mixture in it with a reasonably high boiling point, and a radiator cap with proper pressure rating. There is some possibility that your radiator is not 100%, so you might want to check that out. But if it's OK when not towing, and doesn't boil over when towing, I wouldn't worry too much about it.
One thing to watch out for, unless you absolutely have to do it, or don't need to move anytime soon, don't stop the engine if the temp is really on the high side. Once I stopped in a rest area (which was on the top of a long hill) with temp between "A" and "L", and when I got back from the restroom, my truck was spewing coolant through the overflow tank.
and as long as you don't boil it over, you should be OK, but make sure you have a proper mixture in it with a reasonably high boiling point, and a radiator cap with proper pressure rating. There is some possibility that your radiator is not 100%, so you might want to check that out. But if it's OK when not towing, and doesn't boil over when towing, I wouldn't worry too much about it. One thing to watch out for, unless you absolutely have to do it, or don't need to move anytime soon, don't stop the engine if the temp is really on the high side. Once I stopped in a rest area (which was on the top of a long hill) with temp between "A" and "L", and when I got back from the restroom, my truck was spewing coolant through the overflow tank.
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No, the radiator has never been boiled. Is that that same as getting it dipped? Normal driving without towing anything and temp. is fine. As for the cap, it is still the Original! Time to change it I guess.
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Fleet Owner
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
CC, With the temp returning to normal, sounds like it was working on the hills.
What does the fluid look like? Have you ever changed it out? Have you added water only to the system? Do you run distilled water-antifreeze mix at 50/50 ratio??
John
What does the fluid look like? Have you ever changed it out? Have you added water only to the system? Do you run distilled water-antifreeze mix at 50/50 ratio??
John
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Jowilker
I run a 50/50 mix with distilled water. The antifreeze has been replaced, about 1.5 years ago. I did check the antifreeze with a Prestone AF hydrometer a couple of months ago and it said protection was fine to -30F. My concern is that next summer when the ambient temp is higher (it was probably in the 60's this past Saturday) that the temp will go past the "NORMAL" range. So I want to be sure I'm not going to get into that problem.
The trailer is a customized dual PWC trailer that is actually very nice. If I had a 1/2 ton pickup with a V8, pulling it would be no problem. I just think it's too much for the EXplorer and will probably get a lighter trailer.
I run a 50/50 mix with distilled water. The antifreeze has been replaced, about 1.5 years ago. I did check the antifreeze with a Prestone AF hydrometer a couple of months ago and it said protection was fine to -30F. My concern is that next summer when the ambient temp is higher (it was probably in the 60's this past Saturday) that the temp will go past the "NORMAL" range. So I want to be sure I'm not going to get into that problem.
The trailer is a customized dual PWC trailer that is actually very nice. If I had a 1/2 ton pickup with a V8, pulling it would be no problem. I just think it's too much for the EXplorer and will probably get a lighter trailer.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
You cooling system should be ok with what you are using in it. Smaller engines will have a harder time with the towing.
I didn't see an engine size posted in the thread, so I don't know which you have. One with a 5.0 should do the job, but a 12 year old vehicle could have compounding issues. This may not be a big concern either.
I do know that towing makes a vehicle work harder and hill climbing multiplies the work. Dropping a gear and getting the engine turning faster will help with the cooling also.
John
I didn't see an engine size posted in the thread, so I don't know which you have. One with a 5.0 should do the job, but a 12 year old vehicle could have compounding issues. This may not be a big concern either.
I do know that towing makes a vehicle work harder and hill climbing multiplies the work. Dropping a gear and getting the engine turning faster will help with the cooling also.
John
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The engine is a 4.0L V6 OHC. It has 103K miles but runs well. The tranny is fine as well. I changed the tranny fluid every two years since buying it new.
I'm confused by this. I would think that this would cause the engine to work harder, thus wouldn't temp. go higher?
If you drop a gear, do you maintain current speed at which the temp. was going up in the higher gear (say 60mph) or drop down to 50 with the increased rpms?
Dropping a gear and getting the engine turning faster will help with the cooling also.
If you drop a gear, do you maintain current speed at which the temp. was going up in the higher gear (say 60mph) or drop down to 50 with the increased rpms?
Last edited by ChampCar; Sep 22, 2005 at 11:27 AM.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
CC, I think you are just out on the fringe area on your hill climb. Your car and that engine wasn't designed for towing. They can, but not by design. The hill climb is pushing it to it's limit. The system recovered, so for my 2, I wouldn't get overly concerned. You seem to have and have done about all that you can do with that setup without spending more money than you could recover.
You can drive it, or you can worry about it, your call.
John
You can drive it, or you can worry about it, your call.
John
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