Overheating problems!
07-25-2014, 06:23 PM
#1
Overheating problems!
Don't know if any one else has this problem.
So my 03 5.4 overheated and I was on the side of the road and all I had was a 4 gallon jug of water so I put that in and it kept overheating every 6 kilometres because it was all water in the lines until I got to a gas station and put in a jug of coolant. Was good for a day then overheated again on the way to my graduation. So I put in 2.5 jugs of coolant and a jug of water. It was good for a couple of weeks then 2 spark plugs **** the bed and I cracked the head because the plugs got so hot they just messed up. So I got that fixed at a mechanics that I trust and got him to check the coolant lines for a leak but he couldn't find any. So it was ok until I went to a music festival towing a 16 foot tent trailer and I did fine on the highway at highway speeds, but when I say in line for an hour and a half or so kreeping along and stopped, it started overheating, it kept over heating until I put another 2 jugs of coolant in. It's been fine ever since, I'm not sure if the coolant I'm using is just magically disappearing or it's evaporating, but I've put loads of coolant and water in it and I blew out the rad with an air gun so there is no way that air isn't getting through.
Is my only solution a e-fan? It's fine at highway speeds (90km/h+) so the stock fan isn't pulling enough air through the rad I'm pretty sure.
So my 03 5.4 overheated and I was on the side of the road and all I had was a 4 gallon jug of water so I put that in and it kept overheating every 6 kilometres because it was all water in the lines until I got to a gas station and put in a jug of coolant. Was good for a day then overheated again on the way to my graduation. So I put in 2.5 jugs of coolant and a jug of water. It was good for a couple of weeks then 2 spark plugs **** the bed and I cracked the head because the plugs got so hot they just messed up. So I got that fixed at a mechanics that I trust and got him to check the coolant lines for a leak but he couldn't find any. So it was ok until I went to a music festival towing a 16 foot tent trailer and I did fine on the highway at highway speeds, but when I say in line for an hour and a half or so kreeping along and stopped, it started overheating, it kept over heating until I put another 2 jugs of coolant in. It's been fine ever since, I'm not sure if the coolant I'm using is just magically disappearing or it's evaporating, but I've put loads of coolant and water in it and I blew out the rad with an air gun so there is no way that air isn't getting through.
Is my only solution a e-fan? It's fine at highway speeds (90km/h+) so the stock fan isn't pulling enough air through the rad I'm pretty sure.
07-26-2014, 04:08 AM
#2
Senior Member
is the fan working? and there may still be a leak, my old dodge had a leak that only leaked when the truck was running and leaked right out of the hose by the waterpump because it(pump) was faulty. if it was sitting parked and turned off, youde have no idea it had a leak
07-26-2014, 05:56 AM
#3
Senior Member
It could be leaking from the hoses, water pump, head gasket, a number if places.
If you clutch fan is working EFans won't fix anything, you have another issue.
Pull a plug to see if it's really clean looking. If so chances are you have head gasket issues. When water leaks into the combustion chamber it's steam cleans the plugs. Also check your oil to see if any water is in it.
Oh and FYI, you DONT need coolant. Straight water cools better than coolant actually! Coolant is used only to lubricate the system and prevent from freezing in winter months. So with that being said if you are loosing coolant just keep replacing it with destilled water until you find the leak.
I would start by getting under the truck and looking for leaks, checking oil for water, and replace radiator cap.
Wayne
If you clutch fan is working EFans won't fix anything, you have another issue.
Pull a plug to see if it's really clean looking. If so chances are you have head gasket issues. When water leaks into the combustion chamber it's steam cleans the plugs. Also check your oil to see if any water is in it.
Oh and FYI, you DONT need coolant. Straight water cools better than coolant actually! Coolant is used only to lubricate the system and prevent from freezing in winter months. So with that being said if you are loosing coolant just keep replacing it with destilled water until you find the leak.
I would start by getting under the truck and looking for leaks, checking oil for water, and replace radiator cap.
Wayne