My 02 one ton runs about 190 all the time (hotter than normal?) When I hook an empty gooseneck or wagon to it it gets slightly warmer. When I pit a load on it gets 20 -30 degrees hotter yet and sometimes climbs out of the normal range. I took it in to the dealer (still under warranty) and they said that it was a blown head gasket (bull!!!) and changed it. Well I have it back and it is still doing the same thing! I need this truck to make my living any ideas?!?! I have changed the coolant (so did the dealer), blown the radiator out and still nothing. It still has 18k on the warranty but the mechanics at Dodge hav shown their incompetance more than once. I think that Dodge needs to fix it but I don't know how to approach them about it.



Any ideas would be great!


Thanks

Tom

 

Try a different dealer maybe?

 

I run @ 190 all the time, no load. My Rad is filthy Though ( project for next weekend) I'll see if it makes a difference.

I would try another dealer if I were you. Good luck

Tom

 

There was a member awhile back who built a home made pressure washer that fit between the radiator and the charge air cooler.
He had the same trouble and discovered that the oil from the engine breather was misting forward into the radiator, holding dirt and dust and had clogged much of the surface area of his radiator.
He cleaned it out and dropped his running temps dramatically.

I'll look for the thread.
Found it:

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...threadid=48091

 

I know it's an obvious thing, but have you checked the thermostat. My brother bought a new truck a few years ago, it always ran warm, and we couldn't figure out why. Finally we changed the t-stat and found it was broken and wouldn't open all the way.

 

Check the thermostat??? Clean out the oily mess from the radiator, and can you hear your fan running when it gets hot? sounds like a jet taking off!! You will hear it over the engine!

 

Check if inside of rad is oily from "catch bottle", if it is, then extend hose farther down by axle to prevent it from plugging again. Drain coolant, remove rad, and spray down with a good de-greaser on both sides(may have to repeat). Then hose off with garden hose.

A hi-pressure washer can be used if you do not put it too close, so that you bend fins over(this will reduce cooling efficiency and will have to be straightened out). You can leave rad in, but you won't be able to clean it as good. While you have rad drained it is a good time to c/o thermostat. If you heard your fan coming on previously, then it is working fine, if not replace it.