engine temperature questions....hmm....
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,293
Likes: 10
From: Parker, CO
Thanks for the thread info.
So this weekend I went to Wintergrreen ski/golf resort - About 45 minutes southwest of Charlottesville VA. She rode fine all the way out there, cruising about 75mph. Then we got to the bottom of the mountain and started heading up - 15%+ grade. Had to stop twice as the temp gauge went to just shy of the red zone. Cranked the heat, popped the hood and let it idle at the side of the road. After about 5 minutes the temp came back down to the midway point. This was Friday night. Saturday - drove down the mountain - played golf and the same thing happened as we went back up the mountain. Obviously, under any load, the Ex gets hot.
Also, when it did get to just shy of the red zone, the "check gauge" light came on. Is that normal for when the temp soars?
So this weekend I went to Wintergrreen ski/golf resort - About 45 minutes southwest of Charlottesville VA. She rode fine all the way out there, cruising about 75mph. Then we got to the bottom of the mountain and started heading up - 15%+ grade. Had to stop twice as the temp gauge went to just shy of the red zone. Cranked the heat, popped the hood and let it idle at the side of the road. After about 5 minutes the temp came back down to the midway point. This was Friday night. Saturday - drove down the mountain - played golf and the same thing happened as we went back up the mountain. Obviously, under any load, the Ex gets hot.
Also, when it did get to just shy of the red zone, the "check gauge" light came on. Is that normal for when the temp soars?
Every single 7.3L that I've heard of or even personally driven that has the exact same symptoms as you (overheating when driving uphill) all have had the same problem.... water pump. If it were me, that would be at the top of my list for suspect problems.
Go Bills !
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,778
Likes: 65
From: Buffalo, NY
I was going to the MX track for Practice. Sitting at Mcdonalds. My temp shot up. Pulled the T-stat in Mcdonalds parking lot.(walked across the street to kmart to get a pail to catch the antifreeze). Through the tstat on the floor. A week later i boiled it and it only opened 1/4 way(maybe half) I put a new t-stat in. Been fine ever since even pulling the 5th wheel in 100 degree temps.. Try a t-stat. They are cheap and only takes 5 minutes to put in. If it isn't the problem you really didn't loose much because if you get a new pump you will want a new t-stat anyways. Could even shoot a laser thingy temp gauge at the radiator hose. See if is actually getting that hot.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: NW Arkansas
engine temp questions
I had a problem with an older ford truck that the impeller on the water pump was slipping. Yeah, I know, they are pressed on, but that is what I found and it cured a similar problem. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't found it myself. Thinking back, the impeller may have developed a crack around the shaft therefore allowing it to loosen.
Jim
Jim
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 1
From: Opelika, AL
My temp guage never shows high....even pulling the camper. but at what it says is normal operating temp (not sure what *F that is) then engine bay is real hot....even if i am unloaded and drive 10 miles to the store i cant touch anything under (even the jack tools are scalding hot) the hood for a couple hours. i now have a flushed system, elc, and new Tstat and it's the same way....im guessing mine is normal but damn it gets hot quick and stays hot for a long time after shutdown.
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
So I was about to order the coolant filter system and a water pump from dieselsite.com and I talked to Bob (pretty sure that was his name) and he recommended that I put a mechanical gauge on for a while first to verify it is not electrical. So installed a small sunpro 2 5/16" one last night. Of course, now the temp highs are in the low-mid 80s as opposed to the upper 90s the last 2 weeks...sheesh. I guess I will have to wait a few days for the next heat wave...
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 593
Likes: 1
From: Frankfort, KY
The Aeroforce gauge does not read coolant temperature unless you add the optional temperature sensor and program the gauge to read external gauges. It does read the engine oil temperature. This is because the Aeroforce Interceptor scan gauge reads the PCM information, and coolant temperature is not monitored by the PCM.
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
The Aeroforce gauge does not read coolant temperature unless you add the optional temperature sensor and program the gauge to read external gauges. It does read the engine oil temperature. This is because the Aeroforce Interceptor scan gauge reads the PCM information, and coolant temperature is not monitored by the PCM.
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 270
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Hey all,
So I installed a mechanical gauge from Autozone for $17 in the extra port on the water pump.
Generally driving around town the temp is anywhere from 195 -210.
Today it is blazes hot here in Richmond, VA and I had the AC cranked and drove somewhat aggressively around town and got the truck to get hot.
Here is a pic of the factory gauge and the corresponding mechanical:
After this temp, I quickly cranked the heat and let it idle for about 10 minutes - got it down to 220 before I had to shut it off and go into work for a meeting. So it looks like the gauge is doing its thing - everyone betting it is the water pump at this point?
Thanks
Joe
So I installed a mechanical gauge from Autozone for $17 in the extra port on the water pump.
Generally driving around town the temp is anywhere from 195 -210.
Today it is blazes hot here in Richmond, VA and I had the AC cranked and drove somewhat aggressively around town and got the truck to get hot.
Here is a pic of the factory gauge and the corresponding mechanical:
After this temp, I quickly cranked the heat and let it idle for about 10 minutes - got it down to 220 before I had to shut it off and go into work for a meeting. So it looks like the gauge is doing its thing - everyone betting it is the water pump at this point?
Thanks
Joe
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
Likes: 2
From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
I have a Scan Gauge, and I intended on putting a coolant temp sensor on, but after monitoring oil temps, adding coolant temp would be a waste. If one goes up, so does the other.
You have a failing water pump or a blocked/clogged rad. Could be plugged outside with crud, or inside. Look at it by lifting the soft flap near where the tire tools are mounted and see if there's junk in there. You could also check the hoses for flow and/or temps to see if the radiator is cooling or flowing enough. Lots of things to check out here....
Could be fan clutch too, I suppose. The fan is VERY loud -- loud truck on not, you'll know it when it locks up & starts spinning the fan full-speed...
You have a failing water pump or a blocked/clogged rad. Could be plugged outside with crud, or inside. Look at it by lifting the soft flap near where the tire tools are mounted and see if there's junk in there. You could also check the hoses for flow and/or temps to see if the radiator is cooling or flowing enough. Lots of things to check out here....
Could be fan clutch too, I suppose. The fan is VERY loud -- loud truck on not, you'll know it when it locks up & starts spinning the fan full-speed...
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
Hey all,
So I installed a mechanical gauge from Autozone for $17 in the extra port on the water pump.
Generally driving around town the temp is anywhere from 195 -210.
Today it is blazes hot here in Richmond, VA and I had the AC cranked and drove somewhat aggressively around town and got the truck to get hot.
Here is a pic of the factory gauge and the corresponding mechanical:
After this temp, I quickly cranked the heat and let it idle for about 10 minutes - got it down to 220 before I had to shut it off and go into work for a meeting. So it looks like the gauge is doing its thing - everyone betting it is the water pump at this point?
Thanks
Joe
So I installed a mechanical gauge from Autozone for $17 in the extra port on the water pump.
Generally driving around town the temp is anywhere from 195 -210.
Today it is blazes hot here in Richmond, VA and I had the AC cranked and drove somewhat aggressively around town and got the truck to get hot.
Here is a pic of the factory gauge and the corresponding mechanical:
After this temp, I quickly cranked the heat and let it idle for about 10 minutes - got it down to 220 before I had to shut it off and go into work for a meeting. So it looks like the gauge is doing its thing - everyone betting it is the water pump at this point?
Thanks
Joe
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