truck has been getting close to 230 when im pulling a trailer up hill. doesnt matter if im pulling 18000lb or 5000lb trailer. fan clutch seems to be working ok. any ideas??

 

Clean the radiator fin tubes. I will bet they are full of oil and dirt. My truck was running hotter than normal and I looked in between the air cooler and radiator and about 1/3 is covered with the crud. I will degrease mine and wash it out hopefully tomorrow.

 

The engine side of the radiator is usually covered in oil that gets flung around from the crankcase vent that dumps out right below the fan shroud.

Be careful if you use a pressure washer that you don't tweak the fins.

Extend that hose further downwind and you'll never overheat again.

.......Jim

 

thanks for the info. hopefully that will work.

 

You should flush the antifreeze in the radiator. That fixed mine when I had the same problem.

 

just found out today that the water pump is leaking. was on some pavement and seen the small puddle. so everything is going to get a good going over. ie, thermostat, flush rad, clean veins on rad, replace pump, ect. good weekend project. thanks for everybodys imput.

 

Do not use cheap parts. Especially the theromstat. Look at belt and tensioner also.

 

Clean your radiator. This photo is the side that faces the A\C condenser .
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...6&d=1217283623

 

2002 5.9 That picture looks familar. I saw a picture like that in the early spring. That was all it took for me to extend that hose and pull the rad to give it a once over and have it flushed for the summer months. Glad to say i haven't had any problems

 

Hey chainzaw, yea, I have posted it a couple of times. I was in no hurry to pull my radiator and clean it since at first it didn't appear to be dirty. What a suprise when I got it out. Now my temp gauge stays right at 190 even in the summer heat pulling a 6,000 lb trailer through the ozark mountains with the A/C on. NICE !!!!

 

Looks like mine, too. My wife and I pulled the rad and cleaned it with simple green and blasted it out real good. We were having overheating probs, also, while towing.. next trip is this weekend. We'll keep our fingers crossed.

Good luck, Mike.

 

Check that thermostat. Buddy of mine had a run of bad thermostats where one of the legs that supports the spring broke. They would never open fully at operating temp. The truck would run fine empty, but immediately get hot when you hung a trailer behind it.