overheating
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 2
From: Lynnwood, WA
overheating
Yesterday I tried to go from Wenatchee to Ellensburg via Colockum road (pavement, dirt, gravel, broken rock, rip-rap) and pass (5373ft) and probably I didn't even get halfway up there when my coolant temperature gauge was about to move into the red area. I was kinda hesitant, but since I didn't have extra coolant with me (and did boil over around Sherman pass when I stopped the engine) I decided to turn tail, and take a less challenging route (Hwy 2 & 97)
What are the usual causes of overheating in Broncos under low speed climbing? How can I verify that my fan clutch works properly?
Truck is '95 with 351W and E4OD, has ~188k. I always used distilled water to dilute coolant, but I only had it since ~120k. Shroud is there and it is not damaged. On freways, ny gauge usually varies between 'O' and 'A'.
Would a double electric fan be better than the OEM?
TIA
PS: Bonus question: did anyone traverse Colockum road?
What are the usual causes of overheating in Broncos under low speed climbing? How can I verify that my fan clutch works properly?
Truck is '95 with 351W and E4OD, has ~188k. I always used distilled water to dilute coolant, but I only had it since ~120k. Shroud is there and it is not damaged. On freways, ny gauge usually varies between 'O' and 'A'.
Would a double electric fan be better than the OEM?
TIA
PS: Bonus question: did anyone traverse Colockum road?
Last edited by Torque1st; Jun 10, 2006 at 06:14 AM.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Check your radiator cap pressure. Check fuel pressure and delivery. Low engine efficiency due to ignition, timing, fuel, etc, problems can contribute to overheating. You may need one of those "orange" carbs...
Low vehicle speed overheating is usually fan related caused by insufficient airflow. Is there any silicone grease on the front of the fan clutch? If there is replace it.
An auxiliary electric fan can be a plus but the OEM system in proper working order should be good.
Stick a thermometer in the coolant to check your gage. It will read 5-10°F cooler than the outlet temp in the top of the radiator.
"Colockum" -is that what they are talking about shortening in GA???
Low vehicle speed overheating is usually fan related caused by insufficient airflow. Is there any silicone grease on the front of the fan clutch? If there is replace it.
An auxiliary electric fan can be a plus but the OEM system in proper working order should be good.
Stick a thermometer in the coolant to check your gage. It will read 5-10°F cooler than the outlet temp in the top of the radiator.
"Colockum" -is that what they are talking about shortening in GA???
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 1
You can check my thred on 5/27/06 for the troubles I've had with electric fans. They do keep the truck cool, when they work. I'm still having problems. But, I will say the company (Flexilite) is trying to help. They said they will replace the whole thing once I check the amp draw on the fans. Just finding time.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 0
I think I remember hearing about your toubles with the Flex-a-lite fans, but like someone pointed out, adding a relay between the fans and the control unit will allow the CU to only have to provide a low current voltage to trigger the relay and directly connect the fans to the battery when cued. That would eliminate the weak components problem on the CU and only cost a few bucks.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 1
I checked into that, but flexilite told me the problem with that is it would defeat the abillity of the unit to turn the fans on at low speed. This feature helps save your altenator running at full bore to keep up. Which also saves on gas.
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 2
From: Lynnwood, WA
Originally Posted by Torque1st
Check your radiator cap pressure.
Check fuel pressure and delivery. Low engine efficiency due to ignition, timing, fuel, etc, problems can contribute to overheating. You may need one of those "orange" carbs...
I can't use a carb, but maybe some purple fuel injectors with platinum or palladium inserts....
Low vehicle speed overheating is usually fan related caused by insufficient airflow. Is there any silicone grease on the front of the fan clutch? If there is replace it.
Stick a thermometer in the coolant to check your gage. It will read 5-10°F cooler than the outlet temp in the top of the radiator.
"Colockum" -is that what they are talking about shortening in GA???
Here's a link: http://students.washington.edu/comstm/2005/10/cascade-gravel-travel-3.html
Trending Topics
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
The road sounds like good fun, out here in the flat lands we don't have anything like that.
At 17MPG the engine sounds good. For cooling you need two heat transfers, engine to coolant and coolant to air. Since the fan clutch has not leaked the next best thing may be a cooling system flush.
The thermometer may help you trace the problem. Instrumentation always helps.
Platinum radiator inserts may be needed to catalyze the bad juju in the coolant.
At 17MPG the engine sounds good. For cooling you need two heat transfers, engine to coolant and coolant to air. Since the fan clutch has not leaked the next best thing may be a cooling system flush.
The thermometer may help you trace the problem. Instrumentation always helps.
Platinum radiator inserts may be needed to catalyze the bad juju in the coolant.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 2
From: Lynnwood, WA
Originally Posted by XOXO
With 188k miles, i would make sure to give the radiator a good flush. This is one of those things that can easily get forgotten over the years, and WILL cause slow coolant movement. Give it a good flush!
However, I might take out the radiator and put in some weak acid like acetic acid -- that should dissolve scale and some other deposits, or at least most of them.
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 2
From: Lynnwood, WA
I think that's not very likely.
Waterpump and thermostat were replaced about 2 years ago, and since this overheat only happens at low speed/high power, insufficient airflow through the radiator is a more likely explanation.
Waterpump and thermostat were replaced about 2 years ago, and since this overheat only happens at low speed/high power, insufficient airflow through the radiator is a more likely explanation.