89 E350 Runs Hot - Sometimes
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89 E350 Runs Hot - Sometimes
I have an 89 E350 box truck with a 460.
It only runs hot, (between the A & L on NORMAL), with the AC on. Also the external temp gauge reads about 215-220. It runs so hot that the starter won't turn over until it cools down.
If I don't turn on the AC it runs right at 195 degrees no matter what I do. I can load the truck and pull a 5,000 lb trailer up hill, down hill, and sideways, and everything is right at 195 degrees.
I'm thinking the fan clutch might be on the verge of going bad and isn't pulling enough air through the radiatior.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
It only runs hot, (between the A & L on NORMAL), with the AC on. Also the external temp gauge reads about 215-220. It runs so hot that the starter won't turn over until it cools down.
If I don't turn on the AC it runs right at 195 degrees no matter what I do. I can load the truck and pull a 5,000 lb trailer up hill, down hill, and sideways, and everything is right at 195 degrees.
I'm thinking the fan clutch might be on the verge of going bad and isn't pulling enough air through the radiatior.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Laquey, MO
I'd think that if the fan clutch was going bad that it would heat up with any kind of load on the engine.
You've got me on this one. Every suggestion I can think of would cause problems when you were pulling a trailer as well. That AC condenser puts a lot of heat right in front of the radiator. When everything is working right, there is sufficient airflow to pull the heat off the AC as well as keeping the engine cool.
Off hand - I'd check all the components of the cooling system. The fan is a likely suspect, but I'm not sure if it is the only culprit. I would also have the radiator checked to see if it is flowing like it should. If it cannot transfer enough heat due to poor coolant flow, then the heat from the AC system might be just enough to push it over the edge. That said, a faulty thermostat or a weak water pump, or clogged coolant passages in the block could be at fault.
Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.
You've got me on this one. Every suggestion I can think of would cause problems when you were pulling a trailer as well. That AC condenser puts a lot of heat right in front of the radiator. When everything is working right, there is sufficient airflow to pull the heat off the AC as well as keeping the engine cool.
Off hand - I'd check all the components of the cooling system. The fan is a likely suspect, but I'm not sure if it is the only culprit. I would also have the radiator checked to see if it is flowing like it should. If it cannot transfer enough heat due to poor coolant flow, then the heat from the AC system might be just enough to push it over the edge. That said, a faulty thermostat or a weak water pump, or clogged coolant passages in the block could be at fault.
Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.
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Exactly my train of thought. There has to be some obstruction in the coolant flow and the only thing I can think of is the thermostat.
I searched the posts regarding overheating and one poster said he got a thermostat from Ford that solved his problems. I'll do that today. Then on to the fan clutch.
I searched the posts regarding overheating and one poster said he got a thermostat from Ford that solved his problems. I'll do that today. Then on to the fan clutch.
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My 94 E150 behaves exactly the same way. The radiator cools the engine, trans, and lube oil if you've got tow package. On a hot day a/c sends it over the edge.
The only thing I've found is that during the overheating episodes I get a tiny coolant leak at the tank seam on the radiator.
My leak is so small I can hardly see it but can smell it if the wind is right
Try pressure testing the radiator.
The only thing I've found is that during the overheating episodes I get a tiny coolant leak at the tank seam on the radiator.
My leak is so small I can hardly see it but can smell it if the wind is right
Try pressure testing the radiator.
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Yes, I do have an additional cooler for the transmission mounted in the front. Then comes the condenser and then the radiator.
I have a relatively new radiator with a new radiator cap but there could still be a leak somewhere. Maybe I'll give that a go.
It is hot this summer down here in East Texas. Maybe it just runs hot when the temperature reaches 100 degrees, but it just seems strange that the AC is the only thing that really heats it up.
I did find some debri between the condenser and the raditor but after cleaning it behaved exactly the same way. I'm going to try a more thorough cleaning today and see what happens.
I have a relatively new radiator with a new radiator cap but there could still be a leak somewhere. Maybe I'll give that a go.
It is hot this summer down here in East Texas. Maybe it just runs hot when the temperature reaches 100 degrees, but it just seems strange that the AC is the only thing that really heats it up.
I did find some debri between the condenser and the raditor but after cleaning it behaved exactly the same way. I'm going to try a more thorough cleaning today and see what happens.
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