On vacation and overheating, advice welcome....and appreciated

[Trying my best]

Hey all,

I'm 800 miles from home visiting my mom with my wife and 2 year old. I noticed that my temps were getting around 215 to 230 and climbing on my electric after market temp gauge. When crusing on the freeway or in town I'm at 200. This only happens when I am climbing a hill. I have a newer motorcraft thermostat, and a newer car quest water pump. The coolant looks good. I did add a circuit that charges a deep cycle battery for my camper, but I don't see how that extra load on the alternator would cause a over heating issue.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

 

[idi_econoline]

Had a climbing-temp problem last month with my work-ride (old Isuzu NPR). Our fleet mechanic had it pegged right away - fan clutch with just a little slippage. When the heat was on, the clutch slipped. Tubes in radiator were fine, thermostat replaced just 'cuz, but new fan clutch, problem solved.

A theory for ya, anyway. Best of luck to you.

 

[Trying my best]

Ok thanks I'll do some research.

 

[dmaxjoe]

Check the spring on the front of the fan clutch. It may just need to be cleaned. A greasy dirty spring will not work correctly.

 

[Trying my best]

If I go the the fan clutch route is one brand better? Aftermarket vs motorcraft? Does anyone know the size of wrench I need to get the fan off if I can't get the tool rental thing happening?

 

[02x72]

I always use 2 pipe wrenches on the fan. One on it and one on the pump, works well.

 

[Trying my best]

Wrenches, thanks. I just took it for a spin to feel the rad for any cool spots, but the whole rad felt uniformally hot. Is there a good way to diagnose a fan clutch? Thanks.

 

[flareside_thun]

With the truck off, spin the fan blades by hand. There should be resistance....firm, but not too firm and damn sure not easy as hell.

 

[FORDF250HDXLT]

the t-stat doesn't start to open until 192 degrees you know?
230 is getting a bit warm,but that's nothing to run there all day for this engine.
if your under 240,all is good.this means the block is nice and warm and can burn the fuel better.
all systems go.

 

[SLC97SR5]

What are the Truck's specs?
Don't use OD, let the engine spin a bit faster.

 

[sassyrel]

Don't use OD, let the engine spin a bit faster.

true dat,,but if the fan clutch is slipping,,still no good...

 

[Black dawg]

Hey all,

I'm 800 miles from home visiting my mom with my wife and 2 year old. I noticed that my temps were getting around 215 to 230 and climbing on my electric after market temp gauge. When crusing on the freeway or in town I'm at 200. This only happens when I am climbing a hill. I have a newer motorcraft thermostat, and a newer car quest water pump. The coolant looks good. I did add a circuit that charges a deep cycle battery for my camper, but I don't see how that extra load on the alternator would cause a over heating issue.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

are we towing? Outside temp? When you use the a/c do you hear the fan? I would drain down the coolant and look to see how dirty the radiator is before buying a clutch.

 

[Trying my best]

What are the Truck's specs?
Don't use OD, let the engine spin a bit faster.

Sorry, 1992 f350 no turbo. Crew cab 4 x 4

 

[Trying my best]

are we towing? Outside temp? When you use the a/c do you hear the fan? I would drain down the coolant and look to see how dirty the radiator is before buying a clutch.

I have a 1000 lb camper on the back of the truck. Outside temp was about 80. I did not notice the fan when running the ac. I did a drain and fill of the coolant about a year ago, about 5 gallons. So the coolant is fairly clean, and when pulled drained the coolant out, it didnt look all that dirty.

 

[Trying my best]

With the truck off, spin the fan blades by hand. There should be resistance....firm, but not too firm and damn sure not easy as hell.

Thats what it felt like, firm but not too loose. In 1992 are we talking a viscous coupler, or a bi metal spring?