Over Heating

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EddieS'04

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Please read thoroughly before making sujestions. I believe I have covered all bases.

I have a strange issue. This started at the end of last summer. So I changed the fan clutch. That wasn't it.
I only overheat when idling for awhile, in neutral or in gear. Only when the AC is on.
A few years ago i put a 180 T-Stat in. It always ran 182 to 184 on my scan gauge.
Now when idling under the above circumstances once last summer while idling for along time. The Rad cap did not relieve. So when the temp shot up, way above unknown 200's. Temp shot very fast. It blew the top rad hose off. So I also changed the rad cap.
I have kept an eye on the temp ever since. So I don't pop another hose while idling.
Today our temp is about 90. While idling in a burger take out. The motor temp edged 200. So I shut the AC off, and the temps dropped to 182..:confused:..Unless I have new faulty fan clutch. It seems ok when I check the resistance, hot and cold. The clutch seems normal to me.
I only overheat when idling with the AC on..:confused:..When driving city or Hwy with AC. My temps stay at 182 to 184. No mater what the ambient temp is.
I have always kept up with rad- fluid change also. I did so last summer. Also washed the fins and outer core.
None of this points to t-stat or pluged radiator. Input is appreciated. This is making me feel stupid..o_O
 
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Could be a bad water pump..... when its idling have you put the heat on in the truck with windows down to see if it cools it??
Also put in neutral and raise rpms to like 1500??
How is your belt and tensioner?
Replaced the rad cap?

All of these test different parts of the engine.
 
Also put in neutral and raise rpms to like 1500??
How is your belt and tensioner?
Replaced the rad cap?
Thanks Todd
New rad cap last summer after blowing the top hose off. If I didn't have the oem clamp it might have busted the radiator tank.

My Trac is 16 year old. I might arbitrarily change the radiator. Oem aftermarket style about $150 here. Maybe less, I have one of the aftermarket rad suppliers warehouse's, 2 miles down the street.

Belt good and tight, with .5" shorter belt. I am running under-drives. maybe water pump. But that don't add up when driving all is well.
I have tried raising the rpm. It helps but not very fast at lowering temp. Odd thing is traveling at any speed with AC on, temps stay at 184 max. Of course that is more air movement. So I don't suspect the t-stat or water-pump.

I haven't tried the heater on trick. That Would Be turning the AC off though. Unless I can figure out a way to bypass the selector switch. Run the compressor and have the heater water valve open together. I could direct connect vacuum to the water valve.

The only way I can think the condenser core is hotter than norm. Would be the compressor low on oil, but it would have imploded by now.

Because of the air flow issue. I'm thinking, new radiator. These cross-flow designs, we cant tell if tubes are plugged. Shamed to say I only have 60K on the trac.

Thanks Todd, you made me think about stationary and moving air flow.
Do you know of a company that builds better than oem design RADS. Specific app, not a custom order.

Like you, been tinkering and building autos since 16, now 70. Making me look stupid. Never had this one before..:confused:
 
How under driven is the w-pump?? That would make sense at idle. As Todd I believe said, if it starts creeping up, raise the idle and see if it holds or goes down....
 
How under driven is the w-pump?? That would make sense at idle. As Todd I believe said, if it starts creeping up, raise the idle and see if it holds or goes down....

The under drives, have been on for ten years. This is something that only happens at idle when the AC is on. Idle raised or driving all is well. It only started last summer.
I haven't done anything yet. Our temps have been pleasant, haven't needed AC. Plus with the virus, I have only gone to the store.
Because of the Tracs age, I'm going to replace the radiator first.. It wont hurt to replace a 16yr old radiator. Easy job.
A few years ago I serviced the cooling system. I forgot that I had used my DI water in my GF's car. So I used tap water. We have hard water here, so that might be the problem.
 
HEY MR UPDATE???? got an update? hahahahahha
 
HEY MR UPDATE???? got an update? hahahahahha

Sorry Todd,
Not yet. We just now have started having warm weather again. I was watching my scan-gauge yesterday.
I haven't put the metal T-housing on yet. Big procrastinator I is. I was thinking about putting it on with the new T-Stat, or just changing the T-stat for now.
If you remember a few years ago. I had a T-Stat sticking partially open. Makes me wonder about that again. One other thing. 2 yrs ago I serviced the the cooling system. I couldn't find the MC gold or the zerex gold anywhere local, at the time. So I used a brand that was green, supposed to be speced as the gold. Now I m curious about using it. I have some now, and flush and everything I need. To replaced the housing and service the cooling system.
I have a nephew that is a good mechanic. I asked him, and he would like to make a few $$, under my instruction...LOL
He is 22 and wants to learn, many thing mechanical. I suppose as you and I were when younger, and full of piss and vinegar....LOL

Todd, I will turn 70 Sunday. I have gotten, very lazy...LOL With this stay at home, I have had plenty of time...LOL
I have been modifying the Harley, and working on my GF's car.
 
Sorry Todd,
Not yet. We just now have started having warm weather again. I was watching my scan-gauge yesterday.
I haven't put the metal T-housing on yet. Big procrastinator I is. I was thinking about putting it on with the new T-Stat, or just changing the T-stat for now.
If you remember a few years ago. I had a T-Stat sticking partially open. Makes me wonder about that again. One other thing. 2 yrs ago I serviced the the cooling system. I couldn't find the MC gold or the zerex gold anywhere local, at the time. So I used a brand that was green, supposed to be speced as the gold. Now I m curious about using it. I have some now, and flush and everything I need. To replaced the housing and service the cooling system.
I have a nephew that is a good mechanic. I asked him, and he would like to make a few $$, under my instruction...LOL
He is 22 and wants to learn, many thing mechanical. I suppose as you and I were when younger, and full of piss and vinegar....LOL

Todd, I will turn 70 Sunday. I have gotten, very lazy...LOL With this stay at home, I have had plenty of time...LOL
I have been modifying the Harley, and working on my GF's car.

I hear ya, The coolant can always be bought online, Hopefully you get the truck right one day...
 
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