Overheating

Tiny
CFREDHUNT
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 DODGE TRUCK
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 104,000 MILES
I have a 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 with a 5.9 diesel. When towing or in slow traffic, the temperature guage will spike and show overheating. It does not happen all of the time. Most times I can hear the howl of the clutch fan engaging. Could this be a clutch fan going bad or some other ECM problem?
Friday, August 19th, 2011 AT 4:55 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So when its running too hot you cant always hear the fan clutch kicked in?Also when its running hot can you feel a lot air being pushed?With the engine shut off see if the fan clutch feels loose.
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Friday, August 19th, 2011 AT 6:43 PM
Tiny
CFREDHUNT
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It does not do it all the time but when it does you cannot hear the fan and do not feel a lot of air. When shut off, the fan free wheels.
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Saturday, August 20th, 2011 AT 3:28 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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If its running hot and the fan spins freely and theres not alot of air you have a bad fan clutch.

Read the guide below, it will help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/fan-clutch-symptoms

Attached below are the components of your cooling system
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Saturday, August 20th, 2011 AT 3:44 AM
Tiny
FIREST911
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  • 3 POSTS
  • 2005 DODGE TRUCK
  • 75,000 MILES
When driving the truck will overheat, when idleing the truck cools off, seems the higher the RPMs the quicker it gets hot?
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Monday, February 4th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PROMECHANIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 536 POSTS
The first thing to do is check your coolant level, both in the radiator and in the reservoir. If it is low then you need to find where it is leaking.
You might have a fan clutch that is not working. If you turn it by hand with the engine off there should be a good amount of resistance. Also, you can look at the weep holes on the back of the clutch if they have been leaking that would indicate a possible faulty clutch.
You might have a faulty thermostat. It might be a good idea to just change it if it hasn't been done in a while.
Be sure to check the serpentine belt as well. If it is slipping then it could cause this too.
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Monday, February 4th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIREST911
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I changed the coolant, had oringial coolant in it I cant remember ever putting any in it in years. Fan is hard to turn with engine off, no leaks in back of fan area, no leaks at all.
Seen others on web with issue and they have changed radiators, how do I know if it needs to be replaced/not having good flow thru it?
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Monday, February 4th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PROMECHANIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 536 POSTS
There actually aren't many good ways to tell. Most of the time the problem is something other than the radiator. Some of the things to check for are.
The condition of the coolant. If it has junk in it or if the wrong type was used it might cause this.
What the radiator looks like inside. When you look in the neck of the radiator you can usually see some of the tubes in the radiator. If they look like they have buildup on them, then that is an indication that they might be getting plugged.
If you replace the thermostat and it is still overheating then you should check out the radiator, but I would replace the thermostat first.
You also need to have a good look at your fan shroud. If it is broken it can cause this type of problem. Also check the grill and make sure nothing is stuck to it and it isn't clogged. Be sure the radiator is not clogged with bugs too.
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Monday, February 4th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIREST911
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Cool thanks
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Monday, February 4th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DFWILLIA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 DODGE TRUCK
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 75,000 MILES
My 2002 Dodge ram 1500 has started overheating at highway speed and when driving in steady moving traffic. It doesn't overheat when idling. Radiator has been flushed and a new thermostat installed. There is good flow into the radiator when idling. Has anyone else had this problem or does anyone have anidea of what the problem might be ? Thanks.
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Monday, February 4th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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This may sounds stupid, but make sure the radiator hoses are not collapsing when the engine is hot and starting to overheat. Also, other than the overheat, is the engine running good? Make sure the catylatic converter isn't plugging. Check it at night to see if it is turning red when the truck is running. Also, listen for hissing or ratteling that would indicate internal damage.

Let me know what you find.
Joe
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Monday, February 4th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PROMECHANIC
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You are welcome. Good luck with your problem.
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Monday, February 4th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DFWILLIA
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Thanks for the info. After posting the question I discovered the radiator was pretty well plugged up(even after paying for a super flush). Replaced radiator and alls well. Thanks again.
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Monday, February 4th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi:
That is common. In the future, rather than having it flushed, have it boiled and rodded out. You need to remove it, but it will be like new when you get it back. In Pittsburgh area, it is about a 40 dollar job.

Let us know if you have questions in the future.

Joe
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Monday, February 4th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)

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