1996 4.9 auto overheating
10-25-2012, 05:36 AM
#1
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1996 4.9 auto overheating
My truck tends to run hot when towing my 20' boat (bout 3500 lbs). Doesn't get into the red but pretty close. No obvious leaks. Appears to have an aftermarket transmission cooler mounted in front of A/C condensor. Replaced the thermostat & coolant - same results. Has bout 170k miles. I've owned it for past 50k - no cooling repairs done by me. Any suggestions? Thanks
10-25-2012, 06:55 AM
#2
Grumpy Old Man
Because it has an aftermarket tranny cooler, then it probably did NOT have the factory towing pkg, which included a bigger radiator. So the first step is to be sure the engine fan is working as designed. If the fan is doing its job, then I'd probably save my scheckles until I could replace the radiator with the biggest one that will fit.
With the new radiator, never use tap water. Flush with distilled water, then add enough concentrate antifreeze to be at least half the total capacity of the cooling system (but not more than 70%), then top off with distilled water. Do no use ready-to-use (50/50) antifreeze for a fresh fill, because you'll wind up with less than a 50/50 mix. (Some of the distilled water you used to flush the system won't drain because it's in the block and heater core.)
With the new radiator, never use tap water. Flush with distilled water, then add enough concentrate antifreeze to be at least half the total capacity of the cooling system (but not more than 70%), then top off with distilled water. Do no use ready-to-use (50/50) antifreeze for a fresh fill, because you'll wind up with less than a 50/50 mix. (Some of the distilled water you used to flush the system won't drain because it's in the block and heater core.)
