I've got a friend that has a 02 Dodge Dakota w/4.7 V8 with a factory towing package. It currently has 109,000 miles on it. Lately he has had problems with it overheating. I'm guessing it has something to do with the 26ft camper/trailer he has been hauling. It overheats when he hauls it and he can only go about 90 miles before pulling over to let it cool down. He has had a new rad put in a yr ago due to a tree punching a hole into the old one. Other recent "fixes" have included new thermostat, fan clutch, and rad cap. Still overheats. Water pump does not leak and he has no coolant in oil. Any ideas as to why it is overheating still? Recently he noticed that the new rad is a regular one and isn't a HD one like before. I told him that this may be his problem.
COOL IT
- Thread starter ridgerunner
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That might do it. Or, how about scale buildup if you used tap water to refill the system?
Check that the thermostat is the right temperature rating for the heavy duty radiator setup.
Also he most likely needs a heavy duty radiator if he is towing so that could be the problem.
Check the fan clutch as well. If it's not 100% you won't have proper air flow and this will cause overheating because of the excess load.
Any CEL indicating a lean condition? like a bad MAP sensor or bad 02 sensors? Being overly lean while towing will cause an engine to run excessively hot.
Also he most likely needs a heavy duty radiator if he is towing so that could be the problem.
Check the fan clutch as well. If it's not 100% you won't have proper air flow and this will cause overheating because of the excess load.
Any CEL indicating a lean condition? like a bad MAP sensor or bad 02 sensors? Being overly lean while towing will cause an engine to run excessively hot.
That probably is the reason.. Does it have a trans cooler? If it does, and its all going through an inadequate rad, it may be the issue.
90 miles is interesting. I would expect overheating in the first 15 or never.
A dakota hauling a 26 footer? Tell him to keep his foot out of the gas. 50 MPH tops. The wind resistance of that barn is dragging him down. If he has a belt driven fan keep it out of overdrive for some more revs.
A dakota hauling a 26 footer? Tell him to keep his foot out of the gas. 50 MPH tops. The wind resistance of that barn is dragging him down. If he has a belt driven fan keep it out of overdrive for some more revs.
My guess on the 90 miles is that the cooling is just a hair below adequate, so it takes a while for it to heat up to the point of concern.
I would add-don't tow in OD-the engine RPMs will drop enough in OD to limit the amount of coolant circulation through the block & radiator. He should also make sure that his coolant-water ratio is no higher than 50/50-more coolant=less cooling ability.
This might be a good use for Motul MoCool or Red Line Water Wetter.
It should have an auxiiary electric cooling fan mounted on the engine side of the radiator. Make sure that this is working as it should be running all the time with the AC on. Could be a source of overheating, especially with such a load on it.
It should not matter if he has a 180 or 195 thermostat in it.
Why? Because when they are fully open, they are fully open .
Lean mixtures do not cause hot running engines. This is a myth.
The highest heat comes from the correct normal stoichiometric ratio. Leaner or richer run cooler.
Maybe the water pump impeller is loose or corroded. This oddball thing can trip you up because it is so hard to determine.
And of course the towing package had a beefier radiator then it has now.
As you guessed, this is a big problem.
Somebody saved $20 and is paying for it now.
Why? Because when they are fully open, they are fully open .
Lean mixtures do not cause hot running engines. This is a myth.
The highest heat comes from the correct normal stoichiometric ratio. Leaner or richer run cooler.
Maybe the water pump impeller is loose or corroded. This oddball thing can trip you up because it is so hard to determine.
And of course the towing package had a beefier radiator then it has now.
As you guessed, this is a big problem.
Somebody saved $20 and is paying for it now.
Lean running engines due to faulty MAF or MAP will overheat an engine. I have seen it. Thanks very much!
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