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Engine getting to hot.

On the trip to Saskatoon the engine was getting hot but I made it up the grades OK, Coming home
it was warmer so a few times on the long grades I had to shift into 3rd gear and keep the power
down to 50%. Last year on warmer days no problem at all. I usually clean the radiator every spring
but I didn't until today and I see why it was overheating. Won't make that mistake next year.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Engine getting to hot.

Reply #1 –
Verify coolant level is OK.

How old is the thermostat?  Not expensive or difficult to replace.  If it is not fully opening, it can cause overheating.

Also, check hydraulic fluid level and if its filters have not been changed in a couple of years, probably a good idea.

Consider the above a preventive maintenance.

After that, it is into troubleshooting.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Engine getting to hot.

Reply #2 –
What is "hot"? 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Engine getting to hot.

Reply #3 –
Quote from: oldguy –
On the trip to Saskatoon the engine was getting hot but I made it up the grades OK, Coming home
it was warmer so a few times on the long grades I had to shift into 3rd gear and keep the power
down to 50%. Last year on warmer days no problem at all. I usually clean the radiator every spring
but I didn't until today and I see why it was overheating. Won't make that mistake next year.

Was it outside debris?
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Engine getting to hot.

Reply #4 –
I had countless conversations with owners who were concerned that there temp gauges had moved from it normal position.

It's normal to have the temp rise some up grades in summer.

What temps did you experience?  My dash gauge is almost 10 degrees higher than my silverleaf setup
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Engine getting to hot.

Reply #5 –
Hot is 211 and 220 is too hot. Chuck a lot of dust which turned into mud came out so I think
that was the problem. I don't know if I will find out this year if that was the problem as I am
not planning to go into the interior this summer where there are hills long enough to create
the problem. Brett I have a 190 thermostat that is 5 years old, good thought but all the mud
that came out I think that was the problem.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Engine getting to hot.

Reply #6 –
Thanks for the update Peter. I will clean mine out tomorrow in preparation for a trip starting on the 1st. I will be traveling through the San Juaquin valley on the 5 and it will be hot.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Engine getting to hot.

Reply #7 –
I wash mine out a couple of times a year, clear water only. If you use a cleaner make sure is compatible with the different metals.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Engine getting to hot.

Reply #8 –
Quote from: bbeane –
I wash mine out a couple of times a year, clear water only. If you use a cleaner make sure is compatible with the different metals.

Absolutely.  The best is Simple Green EXTREME.  It is aluminum-safe. Developed for degreasing aircraft. One gallon should last the life of the coach.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Engine getting to hot.

Reply #9 –
So the last time I hosed our radiator out was when I had the air cooler repaired and the radiator was exposed. 
  Will there be enough flow thru if you just hose it ( radiator) out thru the air cooler or does that CAC need to come off again ?    Or clime underneath and hose it from the fan side, which I don't see how that would clear out any leaves, sticks or stuff trapped between.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Engine getting to hot.

Reply #10 –
Since air flow is from the outside to the engine room, most of the debris will be on the outside of the CAC.  Clean that more often than the radiator.

And, yes, to clean the radiator, clean from the engine room (dirty job) or with the CAC removed.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020