This perhaps should be in the already existing "Hot, Hot, Hot" thread, but I thought I would start another one.
Coach is a 2003 U-270 with the ISL-400. Just rolled over 90,000 miles. Never has run "Hot" before including a Texas to Durango area trip 1 year ago exactly. We are enroute from Georgetown, TX., via Ft Stockton, and today, Carlsbad. Tomorrow Santa Fe, then on to Durango/Bayfield. Yes, it is Hot!
Day 1 and Day 2 were essentially on level ground, very few hills, running 60-62 mph (1,500 rpm Sweet Spot). Weight about 29,000#, towing a Honda Odyssey, about 4,000 pounds (same Toad last year) .
In the hot afternoons, temp 101 to 104, instead of usual or "normal" 180-184 degrees, I'm seeing 195 to 200 degrees, and that bothers me. And that's what I am soliciting thoughts on.
I can rationalize this just on the high outside air temps. But I'm wondering if this is a sign of something else, such as a partially plugged radiator/intercooler "sandwich?
When the sun goes down this evening, I will try assessing the "sandwich" with a trouble-light.
But would these temperatures alone account for a 10+ degree jump in these coolant temps?
Dan Spoor
Carlsbad Koa where you can order supper delivered to your door! Life is tough!
Yes - your asphalt temps in the sun will run 20-30 degrees hotter, and the bottom of the radiator is only like 8-10" away.
Dan - when in Santa Fe, we will be around all weekend - stop by Trailer Ranch on Cerrillos and look for our silver/red '03 (unless of course you're staying here, in which case, walk on over :D).
We saw similar temps from Denton to Goodlett, TX via US 287 when it was 107 out (back in June). All was fine the next day with lower ambient temperatures, so I would say "yes", it's probably the heat. We aren't normally driving in these temperatures so unfortunately we don't have previous data to compare to.
Michelle
While you're out there with your trouble light, look for evidence on the ground of leakage, and check the coolant level in the reservoir, not just in the overflow, when engine is fully cooled.
First and only time I saw a rise of this magnitude in my ISL 400 water temps, I too attributed it to 100+ degree ambient temps - while pulling 4 passes in a 200 mile stretch of US2 in Washington. Reasonable hypothesis. But in my case, it was the first warning of a radiator core seeping as it was beginning to separate itself from its sides. Coolant in reservoir was down by more than half.
Don't mean to freak out your worry gene. I have one too, sometimes, and it's generally not knowing for sure that feeds it. Check it out. Be sure.
In any case, you probably want to carry an extra gallon or two of radiator coolant with you.
Dave – thanks for that insight! I really hadn't stopped to think about the real Temp differential!
Steve and Michelle – thanks for the invitation and we might actually stop by – I want to see that park for "next time" We are traveling with my Brother, and are stopping at Santa Fe Skies (been there before and just the one night). Planning on The Blue Corn for supper. And thanks for your experience on US 287 – that helps!
And Bob Mulder, I will follow your advice – FWIW, my overflow reservoir is filling and emptying like normal; I check it every day. No evidence of external leaks, and the "cold" level has been the same x 2 mornings. No evidence of blockage on a very poor check; about 25 screws to get out to remove a protective layer from the bottom so as to see into the sandwich.
Thanks to all!
Dan Spoor
We ran around 180 degrees for years and years and all of a sudden our Cummins 8.3 engine found its coolant temps over 200 on a high altitude, steep hill climb in Arizona 100 degree heat. We now are back to 180 degrees after doing all the following. But it is difficult to be absolutely sure of anything as we have not driven the same hill again.
I have no idea which of the following steps did the trick or if all helped a little. I do think careful driving by RPM has made a significant improvement.
We made all the changes ourselves over several years.
Tested hydraulic two-speed fan control with ball-valve in small control line
Replaced thermostat with same part number
Flushed cooling system with both acid and alkaline Fleetgard cleaners
New Fleetgard ES Compleat coolant (pre-mixed) & coolant filter
Washed out a LOT of debris that I did not know was stuck between radiator, hydraulic cooler and charge air cooler
Put hardware cloth screen behind radiator outside louvers to keep grass and leaves out
Sealed air intake shroud 'conveyer belt' gaps with spray insulation
Careful power wash radiator and charge air cooler fins after spraying with simple green
Change hydraulic oil & filters
New hydraulic Gates idler and belt
Replaced water pump and determined original pump looked just fine
Replaced coolant hose from bottom of pressure tank to radiator
Replaced two drain valves
Drive up hills at about 1500 to 1700 RPM by changing gears and driving slower, often much slower
A great point at the end. In high temps keep the revs up. Coolant circulates faster and hydraulic pressure stays up for the fans. Drop out of 'econ' mode one the tranny if you have a six speed.
Remember you are climbing all the time heading west across Texas. Any headwind just adds to the engine's load.
Altitude and grades will cause you to run hotter. I know when it was 110 out we hit 215 climbing the grade that was at 190 when the outside temp was 70 ans it stayed right at 180 when it was 35 degrees out. So your ambient temps and high ones are going to make you heat up faster ad hotter nd if you have altitude in the mix there is less air being moved by the fans so that is also a consideration. I know the climb out of Rapid City , SD with hih heat is tough as is I 68 in MD WV with temos over 100 like we have been having ths summer. I saw 105 on my truck mirror in the shade running down the road. Hot is the word and it makes i harder for your cooling system to remove the heat. We would see this all the time in boats as the water warmed up. Spring season was easy by mud sumer ou had to watch you temps and back off the throttle to keep the heat load down at a managable level.