On my trip home from picking up my 'bird (with DD Series 60 engine),
I ran into heating problems while climbing grades in eastern Nevada
with ambient temps running in the high 80s and low 90s. I had to pull
off several times to let the engine cool at idle. (At least it didn't
overheat while idling!)
A couple of days earlier, while driving on I-70 toward Denver (across
Kansas), the engine ran warm, but not dangerously hot. That is, it
was hot enough that I was watching the gauges carefully, but still at
the top of the "normal" range as described in the owner's manual.
Note: I sure wish that BB had marked the gauges with some indication
of the normal range or the danger zone...
However, when crossing the Sierras ... I purposely stayed in Reno so
I could do "the hill" in the cooler, morning hours (a climb of about
3600 feet in a relatively few miles). Despite the considerable
grades, the temp stayed in the 180-190 range.
When I arrived home, I inspected the radiator -- and there was no
sign of dirt/dust build up. (I'm also guessing that the Series 60
doesn't throw oil around like the 6VXX and 8VXX engines.)
We then took a one-night trip to the Redwoods (up Hwy 101) which had
some relatively short, moderate grades with ambient temperatures
running in the 70s ... no sign of heating problems on that trip. (Had
a flat tire due to a bad valve core -- discovered it practically in
front of a Les Schwab dealer ... but that's another story.)
I've located a nearby radiator shop that works with heavy equipment
and I'll have them troubleshoot the system before my next outing. --
I'm concerned about the overheating problem as I'll soon have to do
the Sierras from the west to east, and there are 40 miles of grade
going from about 25 ft above sea level in Sacramento to 7,089 feet at
Donner Summit before dropping to 4413 ft at Reno. Due to the miles, I
can't get to the base of the Sierras much before noon ... so the
grade has to be handled as the air temperatures head for the
afternoon highs.
Since the radiator is clean and there's no obvious problems (belts
good, no signs of leaking from the cooling system) I can only guess
that there may be a faulty thermostat or that the water pump is not
as effective as is should be.
Turning on the fan override did help ... and I used it on my night in
the redwoods "just in case" so I'm also wondering if the thermostat
that turns on the fan may be faulty....
Any thoughts?
On Jul 1, 2006, at 12:40 PM, Jay Darst wrote:
> Thanks Rob.
>
> I cleaned the radiator before leaving for NY. Really wasn't dirty on
> my either.
>
> I have made sure that the coolant is as full as possible. Started
> and ran engine. Coolant does not get up to operating temp, according
> to the dash gage. The temp is around 160, which is where it stays +/-
> 5 degrees.
>
> Went for a ride, temp never made it to 190 where it used to only
> deviate 5 degrees.
>
> The coolong fan did kick on a few times, but according to the gage,
> it should not have.
>
> Too hot, too cold, poor circulation. Pump? Thermostat?
>
> Jay Darst
> 85PT40 6V92DD MTB654CR
> Springhfield, IL
>
> --- In
WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Rob Robinson"
>
wrote:
> >
> > Jay last week or so I took the louver cover off and cleaned the
> radiator
> > with Gunk and lots of water. Used garden hose vice pressure
> washer. It
> > wasn't that dirty but some folks told me that it doesn't take much
> dust and
> > grime to affect temps. I hope a good cleaning is all you need.
> >
> > On 01/07/06, Jay Darst wrote:
> > >
> > > Gang,
> > >
> > > My Bird just experienced an over heat situation.
> > >
> > > The temp gage read about 220 degrees, cooling fan on,
> winter/summer
> > > switch in the winter position, all this would not bring the temp
> > > down.The antifreeze was full.
> > >
> > > Happened while Bird was idling. I assume the thermostats need
> > > replaced. That will be by first repair,I suppose?
> > >
> > > In the last 3 weeks been on a 2,000 mile round trip and a 400
> mile
> > > round trip. No problems.
> > >
> > > Any suggestions or comments are appreciated.
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > > Jay Darst
> > > 85PT40 6V92 MTB654CR
> > > Springfield, IL
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Rob, Sue & Merlin Robinson
> > 94 WLWB
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>
>
---
Pete Masterson
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