I originally posted a few times with all kinds of problems with overheating, I replaced the thermostat 3 times, the water pump, the clutch fan, and go figure still overheating. I finally decided time to rip the radiator out, replaced it with an all aluminum radiator, no junk plastic ends! It runs like a champ, no more overhating, even on a pull!! Thanks for all your help guys, maybe this will help someone else. I'm, guessing it was clogged up inside the radiator, put 800 miles on it Monday, ran great from PA to CT and back.

 

Congrats Dion,
I hate that you had to go through all that. Glab to hear that you got it fixed.

 

That's good information. Thanks for sharing. I think this is the first I've heard of a radiator not cooling properly. Where there any indications by looking at the coolant? Do you have gauges or were you monitoring the dash gauges?

Sorry for all the questions, but few of us seem to actually drive our trucks a bunch, so I always look for pointers with folks who have more miles than me.

 

I have a set of autometers on the a-pillar. No there was no signs with looking at the fluid, but everytime I got on it on a hill or a hard pull with my 8k tool trailer it would skyrocket the temps quickly. I was pulling hills on that trip the other day 75-80, no heating problems at all.

 

Well thats very nice to know Dion, have you ever had a complete flush done on your system before? Thanks again for sharing you experiance

 

Since I don't have gauges (but don't really have hills either) did you happen to notice if the dummy gauge on the dash moved toward the high side when your real gauge started to spike?

Thanks for the answers so far. It's nice to see another ZF-6 with high mileage where I can ask these questions.

 

Well I bought it with 277k, it now has 305k, I've flushed it twice, once when I bought it, once when it started overheating.

Yes the dummy gauge on the dash spikes up as well, it just takes it a little longer. I was fine running around town, & short trips. Just no big hills!!

 

Well you can't really complain about a couple of parts wearing out at 305k. Thanks for the tips. I've put all 257k on mine myself. Now I know what to consider if my gauge starts leaning toward the high side. Like I said, not many hills around here, but it's nice to know what to keep an eye out for.

 

thats good you got it fixed Dion

 

Thanks for letting us know. Hope you get another 300,000 out of her.

 

By chance can you cut it apart and take some pictures of the foriegn matter or cloggs?
I would be curious to see what is in there.

I found a radiator that was full of silicone from someone trying to seal up a water pump, most likely, or somthing along them lines on a car years ago. It was jammed packed. I had pictures of it. But lost my hard drive years ago. And lost my pictures.

 

That's great news.
Thanks for letting us know.

 

Dion,
You answered a question that I have had for years. That is that the IDIOT coolant temp.gauge will actually move after the engine warms up. I have 3 pillar gauges, but not an engine coolant gauge. I was just about to put one in,but I don't think I will for a while. I pull some long hills with 12k in tow and the idiot gauge doesn't move ,that I can tell. The fan kicks in and out at times, but the gauge doesn't seem to correspond. I feel much better now. Thanks for the good information!

 

Coolant system in you truck is about 70% oversized... You will never see a 7.3 on the side of the road due to overheating...

Unless the rad is plugged with crap from something.

 

I have noticed once i Put in my 203, my clutch fan comes on more now when its hot. but also when I put on my 6.0 cooler there was lots of dirt and part of a field up in there. almost like a nest. so at my next truck wash I will be spraying with a hose up there to clean that out. course there is always an option if you have the means to play with our trucks to make them better.