Known cooling problems?
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Elder User
Joined: May 2007
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From: Cary/Rocky Mount NC
Known cooling problems?
hey all.. well just when you get over one hurdle, you round the bend and find another one...
so when i drive the truck for a short/decent/extended period of time, if it sits in the heat without being constantly cooled, the coolant boils over and i find a big rusty-brown lookin puddle under the truck. did it to me today at the bank after i rode to the dump and had the truck sitting idle for 5-10 minutes.
there is pressure in the upper hose when the truck is running, and i keep putting water/coolant in the truck to keep stuff in there even though i know it'll boil out.
what are your suggestions for diagnosis. i have a feeling being 25 years old that its prob the original radiator, and the thermostat i'm sure could be replaced. what all do you guys suggest and are there any known problems these trucks encounter?
again, ?44,000 on the odometer.
thanks guys!
so when i drive the truck for a short/decent/extended period of time, if it sits in the heat without being constantly cooled, the coolant boils over and i find a big rusty-brown lookin puddle under the truck. did it to me today at the bank after i rode to the dump and had the truck sitting idle for 5-10 minutes.
there is pressure in the upper hose when the truck is running, and i keep putting water/coolant in the truck to keep stuff in there even though i know it'll boil out.
what are your suggestions for diagnosis. i have a feeling being 25 years old that its prob the original radiator, and the thermostat i'm sure could be replaced. what all do you guys suggest and are there any known problems these trucks encounter?
again, ?44,000 on the odometer.
thanks guys!
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,176
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From: Western Central NV
It sounds like a radiator cap not holding pressure. Check it or have it checked. If the pressure relief is too weak it will run OK. When you stop it builds pressure and pops off the relief. Just a thought. Also if you have rust you may want to flush out the system and add a 50/50 mis of anti-freeze.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
Yes, if the radiator cap is bad, it will boil over. But you should have a recovery resevoir on your truck correct? Or does it push it out of the recovery resevoir?
But I have been preaching lately about guessing, and radiator cap would be a guess. The best thing to do would be to get a aftermarket temp gauge, hook it up, and see how hot you are really running. If you are not running over 210 or 220 while sitting in hot weather, then I would say it probably is the cap.
If you are running up around 230, then it could be a radiator problem. Do you have a fan shroud? And also do you have a solid fan hook-up or a clutch fan? If you have a clutch fan, is it working. It should make a lot of wind noise when the truck gets hot.
But I have been preaching lately about guessing, and radiator cap would be a guess. The best thing to do would be to get a aftermarket temp gauge, hook it up, and see how hot you are really running. If you are not running over 210 or 220 while sitting in hot weather, then I would say it probably is the cap.
If you are running up around 230, then it could be a radiator problem. Do you have a fan shroud? And also do you have a solid fan hook-up or a clutch fan? If you have a clutch fan, is it working. It should make a lot of wind noise when the truck gets hot.
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Elder User
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From: Cary/Rocky Mount NC
i think the fan is working fine... there is a shroud there also. i do have a recovery but the stupid little plastic tube keeps popping off lol. i need to redneck it in place. how cheap are the replacement caps?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Suffolk, VA USA
Does your truck have a clutch fan? They wear out over time...could be you aren't getting enough air movement...but I agree with the kermmy...flush the system, add new coolant, and replace the radiator cap. It's relatively cheap preventative maintenance you should do anyway, and it might straighten things out. Swapping out the thermostat is another cheap, quick improvement you should make at the same time.
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From: Suffolk, VA USA
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Elder User
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From: Cary/Rocky Mount NC
alright. i'm gonna run up and get a new cap now actually. i am going to do a new thermostat after the flush. ihave the flush sittin here anyway to use i just haven't done it.
how can i figure out if have i ahve a fan clutch vs. solid fan hook up?
how can i figure out if have i ahve a fan clutch vs. solid fan hook up?
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Elder User
Joined: May 2007
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From: Cary/Rocky Mount NC
fan clutch.
i just put the radiator flush in and filled with water and its running. fan turns and i can DEFINITLY feel the wind from the fan while i'm near the truck. shroud is out of the way also. i taped the little return tubing on for the time being. i'll replace that eventually. just gonna see what happens if it boils over or what.
i just put the radiator flush in and filled with water and its running. fan turns and i can DEFINITLY feel the wind from the fan while i'm near the truck. shroud is out of the way also. i taped the little return tubing on for the time being. i'll replace that eventually. just gonna see what happens if it boils over or what.
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Elder User
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From: Cary/Rocky Mount NC
left the truck running about 15 minutes or so... going to start it up again after dinner. nothing boiled out so far. i know the temp sensor in the cab does not read correctly it just sits at Cold all the time.
but i think the little hose popping off is most likely the problem.
but i think the little hose popping off is most likely the problem.
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Elder User
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From: Cary/Rocky Mount NC
well i drove this morning an hour to rocky mount and no problems. I think the hose coming off and being loose is the culprit. I ran the flush in it for a while and then drained it and ran some clean water through it till it came out clear. Filled back up with antifreeze/coolant ready mix (2 gal) and taped the hose on there pretty good till i can get a hose clamp. all in all i think that took care of that issue. I just need to replace the coolant temp sending unit so my gauge will work.
move on to the next issue (the fuel sending units)
move on to the next issue (the fuel sending units)