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Need help. When I’m driving my truck in temperatures about 65 degrees or below it seems to never get up to normal operating temperature. Conversely whenever I’m driving in 65 degrees or heigher (give or take a few) it seems to run OVER operating temperature. I have tried bleeding the cooling system but still would like some advice. Thanks
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First thing would to confirm the actual coolant temp and verify that your temp gauge is reading correctly.
If that proves out.
Next would be to check the circulation of the coolant.
Worn water pump impeller will reduce the flow of coolant.Might also look for a collapsing radiator hose.
I have heard about these water pumps being bad and wearing out. It seems like it won’t overheat unless the temperature gets up there in the first place. Like it wouldn do it if it sat there and idled. So maybe the water pump can’t keep up
Infrared thermometer would work.
You just need to aim it at the upper and lower radiator hoses and see the temp different.
This may be helpful for you.
http://www.aa1car.com/library/tstemp.htmInteresting ….
If both hoses are warming up @ the same time, that would lead me to believe that your thermostat is stuck in the open position.
But that does not figure with the vehicle running hotter when the temps are above 65.
A possible cause:
1 You do have a thermostat stuck in the open position.
2 You also have a partially clogged radiator.
This would explain the conditions your experiencing.
On cooler days your cooling system has no metering from the thermostat and enough coolant passage to keep the coolant below normal temp.
But on warmer days, the restricted / clogged radiator is causing the coolant temp to rise.A worn water pump impeller or faulty clutch fan with a stuck thermostat may also cause the same issue(s) depending on the outside temp.
A few years back I had a similar issue, when temps were 70 or below I had no issue driving or idling.
Anytime it was 75 or warmer, driving was no issue, but stop at a light and the temp would climb.
In my case it turned out to be a partially clogged radiator.I’m gonna check the surface of the rad with a thermometer and test my thermostat. Thanks for all the advice!!!
[quote=”Jmondak1″ post=186855]The rad is hot at the top and not the bottom what does this mean[/quote]
It means your radiator is working properly. The hot water from the engine is dumped into the top by the upper hose, it passes through the radiator which exchanges the heat from the water with the air passing through the radiator, and the cooler water is returned to the engine by the water pump pulling it through the lower hose.If the water in the lower hose is warmer than the water in the bottom of the radiator, that means you have poor or low flow. This could indicate a failing water pump.
I put a 180 thermostat in instead of the 195 recommended one. Besides running a lil richer. Will it cause any long term problems. I don’t think it will
The rad is working good. I’d say the water pump is on it’s way out. Only gets hot when climbing hills. The lower rad hose isn’t that much cooler than the top. And the bearing is wobbly
‘More odd stuff. The upper rad hose was about 160 degrees and the bottom was about 150 degrees but the gauge said 200. Hmmmmmmmmm. But when idleing the gauge indicates 180 always until moving or under load. Should I find the nearest cliff? Lol
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