Am I really overheating????
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Texas
Am I really overheating????
So I basically need to find out if the truck's engine temp light is really working or not. (1985 F250 Supercab 2x4, 6.9L Diesel engine)
Any input will be greatly appreciated.
- I drive 14 miles to work every morning and evening. One morning last week, after 10 minutes on the freeway, the "Engine Temp" light located down by the glow plug light came on. It stayed on the next 5 minutes till I got to work. THe temperature guage in the intrument panel showed barley on the cool side of normal.
- After work, start the truck, no light on. 10 minutes in the drive, the light comes on again and stays on till I get home. Once again, temperature gauge is barley in the normal range on the cool side. I see the the coolant reservoir was a little low, so I topped it off.
- A few hours later, I pop the radiator cap and I have antifreeze all the way up to the cap. It had a bit of a tan coloring to it though. I read in the deisel engine forum on this board that sometimes the temp sensor to the light just gets dirty. So I up plug it. It looked like clean metal.
- Next morning, same thing, and same thing since. After 10 minutes on the freeway, this light goes on, and stays on until the engine is cool again.
Any input will be greatly appreciated.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
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From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
If you can hold on to the upper rad hose (assuming you have coolant flowing through an open thermostat) for 2-3 sec or so without burning your hand its not that hot. An overheating engine will have you pulling your hand back like you stuck it in boiling water. I'm not sure how the light/gauge works on your truck but if it isnt boiling over the light circuit must be faulty
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Texas
Thanks for the replies!
I'll try grabbing the upper coolant hose next time I finish driving and see if I get burned.
Is the tan coloring of the antifreeze normal for this diesel truck?
I'll try grabbing the upper coolant hose next time I finish driving and see if I get burned.
Is the tan coloring of the antifreeze normal for this diesel truck?
New User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2
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same thing with mine
my 85 f250 6.9l diesel is doing the same thing. does the temp gauge on the dash and the eng temp light read 2 different temps? where are the thermostates located? any luck finding out why yours was going on?
thanks
Dan
thanks
Dan
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 167
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From: Texas
Hey Dan,
Mine is still doing it. After driving for 10 minutes, temp light goes on. I've never seen the temp gauge go near half of normal. The other day, I popped the hood when the temp light was on, and grabbed the top radiator hose. I could hold onto the hose for 5 seconds before I had to remove my hand from it from heat. Seems like it's not really overheating.
I think I'm going to pick up a new temp sensor for the light and see what happens then. If it keeps lighting up after 10 minutes, I'll look closer at the cooling system.
Mine is still doing it. After driving for 10 minutes, temp light goes on. I've never seen the temp gauge go near half of normal. The other day, I popped the hood when the temp light was on, and grabbed the top radiator hose. I could hold onto the hose for 5 seconds before I had to remove my hand from it from heat. Seems like it's not really overheating.
I think I'm going to pick up a new temp sensor for the light and see what happens then. If it keeps lighting up after 10 minutes, I'll look closer at the cooling system.
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