Open Thermostat - interim operation?
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Open Thermostat - interim operation?
Newby to both diesels and the forum. So far picked up a great deal of very helpful information, and glad I'm here. I know the thermostat question has been discussed ad nauseam, and am not asking about brand, temp, etc...
Just got the truck (94 F250 4x4 IDI factory turbo), and pretty sure my thermostat is stuck open. Coolant is definitely circulating, gauge barely comes up from cold, and blowing some white smoke (particularly on long downhill grades - excess cooling with no load?).
I can get the International thermostat here in town, no problem, but won't be able to install until next week, and have a 500 mile trip between now and then. I won't be towing, and temperatures will likely be cool (Pacific Northwest).
I'm debating trying to block airflow to some (or most?) of the radiator for the trip to keep temps up. I did the trip last weekend and only got 13 mpg, and am hoping much of that is due to the low operating temp (I have 4.10 gears and 235 75 16 tires).
I don't plan on running long-term with a bad thermostat, but wanted to improve mileage in the meantime. Is blocking part (or most) of the radiator a bad idea....?
Just got the truck (94 F250 4x4 IDI factory turbo), and pretty sure my thermostat is stuck open. Coolant is definitely circulating, gauge barely comes up from cold, and blowing some white smoke (particularly on long downhill grades - excess cooling with no load?).
I can get the International thermostat here in town, no problem, but won't be able to install until next week, and have a 500 mile trip between now and then. I won't be towing, and temperatures will likely be cool (Pacific Northwest).
I'm debating trying to block airflow to some (or most?) of the radiator for the trip to keep temps up. I did the trip last weekend and only got 13 mpg, and am hoping much of that is due to the low operating temp (I have 4.10 gears and 235 75 16 tires).
I don't plan on running long-term with a bad thermostat, but wanted to improve mileage in the meantime. Is blocking part (or most) of the radiator a bad idea....?
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That's what I was thinking. I was hoping to fashion 3 or 4 separate strips that can easily be removed "in the field" sequentially if it seems to be running too hot. Just don't want to do more damage trying to save a few bucks on gas (I'm cheap, though I like to believe not stupid).
BTW I'm in Vancouver, WA (some people consider that Portland, OR)
BTW I'm in Vancouver, WA (some people consider that Portland, OR)
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Higginsville, MO
this winter will be my first one with the truck and was wondering do you have to block of these radiators during the winter? mine already seems to run cooler and its dropped from 100 to about 60 during the day
i have mechanical gauges not the stock idiot light with a needle
i have mechanical gauges not the stock idiot light with a needle
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From: Pukalani, HI
If it doesn't get about the "N" during the first couple of days with low temps then you might want to.
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From: Timmins, Ontario, Canada
I put a blanket over my grille from about the end of October till the start of April up here. Just watch the temps! I watch the T444E school buses around here and block/unblock it whenever they do.
Before the blanket I used that corrugated plastic you can get at office supply places that looks like plastic cardboard box material. With some oversized zip-ties you can fold part of it to let a bit more flow through if you start getting warm.
Before the blanket I used that corrugated plastic you can get at office supply places that looks like plastic cardboard box material. With some oversized zip-ties you can fold part of it to let a bit more flow through if you start getting warm.
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The corrugated plastic is a great idea, thanks! With election season in full swing for those of us south of the great white north, it might be a convenient time to try that method.
This past weekend, I went on a 500 mile trip, and used regular cardboard to block about 1/3 of the radiator (since I was scared to block more than that), but it didn't help much. Still ran barely above "C", except on a couple long hills where I got up to about "N". On long downhill sections, the needle went all the way back to stop pin.....Brrrrr!
It will mean some late hours working on the truck, but I need to get that new thermostat in before Friday, when I'm headed back out in the woods about 300 miles from home. I can't afford the terrible mileage for too many more trips. Already went to the International store in town and got the good thermostat.
Here's hoping for no leaks.....
This past weekend, I went on a 500 mile trip, and used regular cardboard to block about 1/3 of the radiator (since I was scared to block more than that), but it didn't help much. Still ran barely above "C", except on a couple long hills where I got up to about "N". On long downhill sections, the needle went all the way back to stop pin.....Brrrrr!
It will mean some late hours working on the truck, but I need to get that new thermostat in before Friday, when I'm headed back out in the woods about 300 miles from home. I can't afford the terrible mileage for too many more trips. Already went to the International store in town and got the good thermostat.
Here's hoping for no leaks.....
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From: Timmins, Ontario, Canada
Hahahaha....
I'm ready to go back to the corrugated plastic now, my buddy next to be at work is running for council up here, he put two signs on my lawn, one of which would make an excellent grille decoration...
I'm ready to go back to the corrugated plastic now, my buddy next to be at work is running for council up here, he put two signs on my lawn, one of which would make an excellent grille decoration...
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Mobile advertising....I like it!
Another stupid question....I was putting the cardboard only in front of the radiator. Should I also be putting it in front of the transmission cooler and AC condensor as well? I won't be towing anything, and the AC isn't working right now (even if I did need it....I don't)
Another stupid question....I was putting the cardboard only in front of the radiator. Should I also be putting it in front of the transmission cooler and AC condensor as well? I won't be towing anything, and the AC isn't working right now (even if I did need it....I don't)
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From: Timmins, Ontario, Canada
Hmmm... that's a good question...
I've always covered it all, since I cover the outside of the grille. The blanket is made for this truck and covers the whole grille too, like a transport or school bus, so it covers all three rads.
I haven't had trouble overheating, but who knows; I havent got a tranny temp guage (yet!).
I've always covered it all, since I cover the outside of the grille. The blanket is made for this truck and covers the whole grille too, like a transport or school bus, so it covers all three rads.
I haven't had trouble overheating, but who knows; I havent got a tranny temp guage (yet!).
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For my purposes, I think covering all three would be just fine as well. Probably doesn't matter that much for just driving around. I just thought the space between the radiator and condenser was convenient for slipping in a piece of cardboard.
Got the thermostat out last night and everything is cleaned up for the install this evening. For some some reason, I had it in my mind that it was going to be far more difficult than a gas engine, but was pleasantly surprised. It was definitely stuck open.
Crossing my fingers for a leak free install......
Got the thermostat out last night and everything is cleaned up for the install this evening. For some some reason, I had it in my mind that it was going to be far more difficult than a gas engine, but was pleasantly surprised. It was definitely stuck open.
Crossing my fingers for a leak free install......
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