Hi Guys,

I have a 99 Dodge 2500 4 X4 diesel with a automatic tran. with 134000 miles. I just recently got back from towing a 32 foot 5'er across the US. Running the flats, I had no problems but pulling the hills, the engine heated up. Sometimes to the point that I had to pull off the road and let things cool down. I have had this truck in the shop twice to try to find out what's wrong but they don't seem to know what to do about it .

Sure would like to get some ideas as to the solution to this problem. The truck has stock gauges and stock exhaust, no mod's as of yet. I do want to go with a bigger exhaust and full gauges but I want to get my overheating problem solved first. If I can't get it fixed, I may have to go to a Ford

Thank's ahead of time....

 

Here's how I fixed mine.

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...ight=backflush

If you have a lot of oil buildup from your engine exhaust tube, you'll need to clean as much of that off as possible. Be sure to check the fan blade for buildup.

 

Thank's for the reply but the engine is as clean as the day I bought the truck. No oil buildup anywhere. NEXT

 

Besides a new thermostat, did you hear the fan kick in?

 

A new thermostate was installed. Radiator was flushed and rodded. The fan was checked along with the fan clutch, everything works as it should.

After the engine heated up and I pulled off the road, it would only take 15 to 20 minutes for the temp to drop back to normal opperating temp. (190 degrees). After it cooled down I tried to finish the climb but within 5 to 10 minuts it would be overheating again. The Blue Ridge Mountains have some long climbs as well as NW Az.

The transmission cooler is located in front of the radiator, could this be a air flow problem? Do they make a bigger radiator for this truck?

 

Do you here your fan come on? Cause I am having the same problem and I never here my fan come on. I had my system flushed and a new t-stat put in but I don't know what these guys did. I haven't found a diesel mechanic in my area I can trust and I'm leary about going to a dealer.

 

I can't really say that I "hear" my fan come on but every time I have to pop the hood to cool down, the fan is running.

I'm getting to the point that in order to pull my 5'er, I may have to install a misting system in front of my radiator in order to keep it cooled down.

I was really hoping to get some suggestions from this forum on how to correct this problem other than the mist system but nothing as of yet.

I've had this thing into the dealership twice for this and nothing. This is not looking good for Dodge Trucks!!!!!

 

Hey Guys - may not be any help, but---have you checked the radiator hoses? Sometimes under load they may have a tendancy to collapse. The pump suction is so good and the heat in the rubber gets it just soft enough to come together enough to slow the water flow. This was a problem with the smooth molded curve hoses. Some had to have springs on the inside to stop the collapse. Just a thought.

 

But is your radiator? Flush it from the BACKSIDE and see what comes out through the fins. You will be surprised how much stuff is in there that you can't see.

 

I don't think you can classify all Dodge trucks as bad because you have an overheating problem. I had a 99 just like yours. I pulled a 30 foot 5er from Oregon to Florida then to upstate New York and back. Made this trip twice and never had any sign of an overheating problem with close to 100 k miles. I would like to help you out , but haven't experienced any problems.

 

Crobtex, can you explain exactly how you flush from the backside and does that copper tube have holes up the side or does water squirt out the flattened end? What is the oil exhaust tube? Is it big small? My fan won't kick on. Is the fan clutch a pressed on part? Do I have to take it to the dealer?
99 2500 LaramieTD Auto trans

 

I've made the same trip towing 11m lbs. Mine heats up to mid point on the gauge and I can clearly hear the fan kick one. The first time I heard it I pulled over cause I thought something was wrong . I called my brother who is more knowledgeable and he told me it was the fan and to keep rolling.
If you don't clearly hear the fan kick in I would suspect you have a problem with that . Hope this helps.

 

There are two slits in the tube that allows the water to come out at a 90 degree angle. The engine exhaust is a tube on the drivers side front of the engine that lets the pressure inside the engine be released. The only time your fan will kick in is under extreme conditions. My truck has never heated up past 200* or so and I never remember the fan coming on.

 

First, let me thank you guys for responding, but now I am confused.

My rig has one fan attached to the water pump and is belt driven, when I start the engine, the fan is on and it stays on. Am I missing something here? Are you talking about aux. fans like my old Dodge motor home had. Now those fans I could hear when they came on. The only thing I hear come on on this truck is the Turbo when it kicks in.

I will check my hoses, back flushing from the engine compartment has already been done.

It's good to hear that someone has the same truck as I do and not having these problems. I know this truck should be able to pull my 5're anywhere, just have to find out what the problem is and correct it.

 

Your fan (the engine mounted fan, not an auxiliary fan) will spin regardless of whether the clutch is engaged or not. When the clutch is disengaged, the fan only spins at something like 20% of the engine rpm when at cruise speeds. If the clutch is working correctly, you'll hear MUCH more fan noise from the engine compartment when the clutch engages.

I would strongly suspect your fan clutch.

Mike