Just now driving home my engine temp gauge started to creep up slowly, still staying in the white zone- I drove a bit slower and it still didn't come down. Then suddenly the temp jumped up to the red mark and dropped back down to normal, jumped back up again and went a little over normal temp again. The jumps lasted about 1-3 seconds each. When I had left the highway (the second jump occured when I was already coasting down the exit ramp) I looked under the hood- coolant had spouted out of the reservoir and a bit of nasty black slime was in it- but I had had black slime in the coolant for the last 80 000 miles- but not as much as today.
So this looks as if it was at least thermostat time, I hope it doesn't spell headgasket or new head.

Any comments are welcome, suggestions on radiator flushing stuff to get the gunk out etc would be helpful.

AlpineRAM

 

Sounds like you might need to flush it, it wouldn't hurt. And you should look into a new thermostat. Those would be my suggestions, good luck man.

 

I just replaced the thermostat in my truck, the gauge was very erratic. I thought maybe a bad temp sensor, but change the thermostat first, what i found ( still have it and can take a pic) the rubber o-ring separated, the rather large piece that came out was stuck at the top, it was not opening or closing properly.

I'm new here, and this is my first ever Dodge, and my first CTD, the engine is amazing to say the least. Not sure if this is any help, mine also had black slime in it, it also has a "53 block" I figured I would get into it and have no thermostat and a radiator full of stop leak, but no problems yet. Warm up time is a lot less now, 6 miles or around that and I'm right below 190* and HAVE HEAT BEFORE THAT!!

Clint

 

Clint,

Were you able to improve warm up time with a new t-stat?? What replacement specs did you use?? part #??

Does the normal op temp stay good??

Thanks man, lots of questions.

I have to admit I was thinking 53 block when I read Alpine's and your thread. I'm a little cautous with temp/rad issues, glad yours is ok.

 

Alpine, Its all that Alps driving you do that is causing the problem. Up & down, up & down. The temperature gauge is acting like a VSI! (Verticle Speed Indicator)

Change the thermostat and giver her a good *****. Put two asprins in the water and e-mail me in the morning.

 

Tazman warm up time is much faster now, I would have ordered one from Cummins, but I was in a hurry, instead I paid $25 for a Car Quest 188* . I could never really figure out how to place a order online at Cummins. I also done a coolant change while I was at it, took all of 30 minutes to complete coolant change and change the thermostat.

I was also having limp mode starts several times a day, now I have not had one in a week, I'm still not sure what has fixed it, I had pressure on my fuel tank, so I started just leaving the cap loose (on but loose) so either the thermostat or the gas cap was causing this. When I figure out which one I will post in my transmission thread.

Clint

 

Mine does something similar, except not that bad. It only jumps to a little above 190 in 40* weather.

 

BigBlue,
Have had a similar problem with mine since it has cooled down in the last couple of weeks.

 

Gotta remember that one!

 

Don't forget the coolant conditioner. It really helps maintain the system and prevents a LOT of problems.

 

You know a bad radiator cap will give you the same symptoms. Just My $.02

 

My truck exhibited the same symptoms with <12K miles on it. Changing the thermostat cured it.

Last week I had the radiator flushed at the local Quick Lube, as it was coming up on it's 5th winter. They use a vacuum system to flush, and it pulled out some black slime from the bottom of the block (NO 53 block). They also tested the radiator cap- it's rated at 15 psi, but only held 10 psi. I left it on there, but will be watching the temp gauge closely this summer.

 

Still waiting on the new t-stat to arrive... naturally my truck has a 53 block, my truck stumbles under acceleration and a little oil seeps from the headgasket area. I do also have a weep spot right above the freeze plugs on the passenger side, black slime that swims on the coolant etc.

Just doesn't seem to be my week. (My new tires are on backorder, taxes were raised, ins. premium too, fuel prices skyrocket, customers don't pay etc)

How much would a headgasket be and how much time will it take to swap it? I'm also thinking about doing head studs if I've got to change the gasket.
Or maybe I'm simply gonna sell it.

frustrated AlpineRAM