coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

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coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

July 30, 2012, 02:53:05 pm

My 2004 ISL engine is running a little hot. Usually the driver information LED gauge has shown 181-185 degrees even in hot weather. Sure it goes up a little on major hills with full load but hasn't gone into high 190's unless outside temps are really high.

Now it seems it runs into low 190's when outside temps are in mid 80's and road is flat.

I have been reading the separate thread on "Cooling Questions U225" and will check the condition of the cleanliness of the radiator.

Other than dirt on the fan, the coolant level and the radiator cap, what should I check for and in what order?

Thanks as always.

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #1 – July 30, 2012, 02:59:19 pm

Larry.... We have the same engine and mine runs at about 183 (Silverleaf) in summer temps and modest up and down driving with the mode switch on. It will go up to 198 or so on steep hills such as the climb into Asheville, NC from the east. Normally I will downshift and keep the revs/speed such that the temp does not exceed 200 on steep grades. I did replace my radiator cap this year and keep an eye on the overflow level. It does seem to vary more than I would expect (maybe a couple of inches).

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #2 – July 30, 2012, 03:04:59 pm

George - I have had pretty much the same experiences and used the same driving tricks but I'm concerned that the temps have recently changed. Only thing different is that I recently added some SCA additive when the dip strips showed I needed it.

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #3 – July 30, 2012, 05:45:25 pm

Quote from: Larry Rubin – July 30, 2012, 03:04:59 pm

Only thing different is that I recently added some SCA additive when the dip strips showed I needed it.

Larry,

What coolant are you running in your 2004 and is it original? Our '03 ISM came with ELC, which needs a test/extender addition at 3 years and a coolant change at 6 years.

It also requires chemistry-specific test strips How we replaced our anti-freeze coolant

Michelle

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #4 – July 30, 2012, 11:16:23 pm

Michelle - thanks - yes it is original, a good thing to change even if it is not the problem. My concern however is finding the magic thing that just seemed to happen all at once. I didn't use the coach much over the winter but starting a few weeks ago the temps just jumped.

L

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #5 – July 30, 2012, 11:34:32 pm

Adding SCA to an OAT-based long life coolant is a BAD move.

But, bottom line is that with 8 year old coolant, you are well-passed time to change coolant.

With your linered engine, you need to change it immediately.

Brett

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #6 – July 31, 2012, 05:28:07 am

Oh Boy --- gulp --- when you put it that way --- know a good place around north central New Jersey?

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #7 – July 31, 2012, 07:48:00 am

Quote from: wolfe10 – July 30, 2012, 11:34:32 pm

But, bottom line is that with 8 year old coolant, you are well-passed time to change coolant.

And don't forget about the generator, if it is also running the original coolant.

-M

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #8 – July 31, 2012, 10:37:21 am

I keep reading this and wondering if my ISL400 in my 2005 is operating normally or not temperature wise.

Since I've had it (about 9 months and 6000 miles) the engine temp per the DIC warms up to about 197 and has never gone above 202 even going over the modest hills of the Smokies and 100+ degree days thru west Texas. It has Shell Rotella ELC antifreeze (in the gennie too) and all I've done is add some when it looked a little low.

I'm going to Cummins Crosspoint for annual service in a couple of weeks so, do I need to ask about the 197-202 temperature range or just make sure it gets tested?

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #9 – August 06, 2012, 03:57:02 pm

Since my service appointment is in a week I thought I'd bump this up to see if anyone has any input. See my previous post/question about the 197-202 temperature range.

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #10 – August 08, 2012, 03:45:09 pm

Mark,

I'd have the coolant tested and extender added if necessary. Also ask them to verify the actual temperature versus the rating of the thermostat.

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #11 – August 08, 2012, 04:09:26 pm

Quote from: amos.harrison – August 08, 2012, 03:45:09 pm

Mark,

I'd have the coolant tested and extender added if necessary.

Unless the coolant is at its change interval.

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #12 – August 08, 2012, 05:40:23 pm

I think the Shell Rotella ELC change interval is 600k with an extender added at 300k. Also, I think they call that "fill for life"? I'm more concerned with my 2005 engine temp average about 10-15 degrees hotter that others in the posts above with 2003-2004 400 ISLs.

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #13 – August 08, 2012, 07:01:47 pm

Look for exhaust manifold leak blowing hot air onto the temp sensor. That happened to me.

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #14 – August 08, 2012, 08:56:03 pm

Interesting, I never get my engine temps up over 200 on any grade out east. Today I hit 215 on I 70 west of Denver. It was hot out and it is a tough hill to pull. I have hit 198 around the smokies as I live on I 81 and travel around there all the time.

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coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

July 30, 2012, 02:53:05 pm

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #1 – July 30, 2012, 02:59:19 pm

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #2 – July 30, 2012, 03:04:59 pm

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #3 – July 30, 2012, 05:45:25 pm

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #4 – July 30, 2012, 11:16:23 pm

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #5 – July 30, 2012, 11:34:32 pm

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #6 – July 31, 2012, 05:28:07 am

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #7 – July 31, 2012, 07:48:00 am

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #8 – July 31, 2012, 10:37:21 am

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #9 – August 06, 2012, 03:57:02 pm

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #10 – August 08, 2012, 03:45:09 pm

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #11 – August 08, 2012, 04:09:26 pm

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #12 – August 08, 2012, 05:40:23 pm

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #13 – August 08, 2012, 07:01:47 pm

Re: coolant running a little hot - what to check and in what order?

Reply #14 – August 08, 2012, 08:56:03 pm

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