Running way to warm

[86MUDRCJ]

I think it could be that the thermostat but it doesnt even cool down goin down the freeway. So I am running out of answers. Help!

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

What is the temp at?

 

[Big Jim M]

What???

I think it could be that the thermostat but it doesnt even cool down goin down the freeway. So I am running out of answers. Help!

C'mon guy, tell us how "warm" it is. Is it loseing coolant? Is the coolant system completely full? Do you know to fill the radiator with the heater turned to hot and the engine running?

In short if it isn't puking coolant out the overflow it isn't too warm! As long as the coolant stays put the engine is good to go.
Big JIm

 

[jhammel85]

I understand the paranoia due to the 2.9's tendancy to crack heads and I assume that you don't have sunpro gauges hooked up so..

Is the needle just higher than where it normally is? My truck warms up goes up the the A in normal then back down to the bottom of the L in normal. Thats the thermostat opening up. If I didnt see that, it'd cause alarm for me too. I don't care if its still "normal", thats hot in my book.

If your truck isn't doing that (as in just warming up and staying hot - even on the highway) then it really sounds to me like the thermostat is stuck shut. An easy way to check is to see if the rad output to the thermostat is warm but the one going from the engine to the bottom of the radiator is cold.

I'd just replace it...Chance are, it's got some age on it and could be changed.

*keep in mind though, it doesn't matter if your reading is in the same location as mine or not. They're all different because the stock gauges are crap..Just as long as it's what looks normal to you.

 

[RyanL]

I would also add -don't put too much faith in that factory temperature gage. Even the sending unit for it might be bad. I don't think that they're too expensive though, something like twelve bucks or so. If your 2.9 really is getting hot, take care of it pronto because of the cast iron heads (they might as well be made out of porcelain or something). And if your thermostat is stuck shut then it still could overheat on the highway. The cooling system isn't all that great to begin with in these trucks, let alone something that has a little age and neglect to it. Thermostats, radiator flush crap, and coolant are all cheap. For all 3 it might set you back $20. If it hasn't been done in a while, you should go for it. It's good upkeep to do it every 2 or 3 years anyway. A lot of guys replace stuff like the plugs and wires all the time (stuff that hardly ever goes bad) and never worry about the radiator.

Edit: Damn JHammel85, I said the exact same thing as you! I opened up this page and took my time responding because I was making my lunch. That's what I get for not refreshing the page. Oh well.

 

[86MUDRCJ]

It runs just under or right on hot, and somtimes above that.

 

[86MUDRCJ]

And the coolant does puke out but not very much. I actually flushed everything recently, and the thermostat is damn near brand new.

 

[jhammel85]

That's no good man. I think you might have a blockage somewhere from your flush. Don't run that truck with it running that hot or you'll end up with a cracked head or blown head gasket

 

[RustedRanger]

I have had bunches of vehicles and most had the "idiot lights". I always went by "feel".....if it starts getting overly hot it will start running worse. I always keep an eye on the gauge so I know how where it usually runs. If you do start to overheat crank the heater on high,that will usually keep you going until it's fixed...not fun when it's hot out though lol Another thing I have done when overheating is to keep checking how hot by putting it into neutral....if it dies don't try to restart it until it's cooled down and don't add water until it's cooled off. I HATE that comercial that shows the guy in the old Camaro overheating then adding the cold water he bought at the gas station...

 

[Big Jim M]

Huh!

And the coolant does puke out but not very much. I actually flushed everything recently, and the thermostat is damn near brand new.

Sounds to me that you do NOT have the coolant system completely filled. Didja turn the heater on and fill it for 10 minutes with the radiator cap off? These little trucks are really hard to get all the air out of the coolant system.

You must run it till the thermostat opens and then fill it to the brim.. ONLY then put the cap back on the radiator.
Big JIm

 

[86MUDRCJ]

Yeah I've gone by how it felt.and usually I turn it on hot and it will cool down but sometimes it don't work. I don't really drive it as much as I used to but I drive it to work and back but that's it. I don't wanna deal with coolibg issues so I'm just gonna swap one in. I also think that its been cracked or somethin but I don't know.