Overheating

[diesel patriot]

I have an '05 crew lwb FX4 that has just started overheating when towing. The only mods are a 4" JEGS exhaust and an AFE air filter. I have a superchip programer but only tow in stock. When towing my 35' camper the last time out, The engine overheated 4 separate times. Didn't seem to matter if it was up a grade or on a straight away. Took it to the dealer and they say everything checks out. I was way over due on an oil chenge. Any ideas? I have another trip planned for Memorial Day weekend.

John

 

[bushpilot]

whats the coolant level in the degas bottle look like ? you spilling coolant out of the
bottle ? <look for white crusty deposits around and under the degas bottle>

whats the color of the exhaust ? white ?

how many miles on your truck ?

 

[fordoor]

"Everything checks out", I've heard this before too many times. I had many problems including overheating that were eventually found and fixed after I went to another dealer that was better staffed and willing to take on the warranty work. If it only overheats when towing your rig, see if they'll ride along with you towing your rig. I also had all the symptoms that Bushpilot mentions, and after you respond to him with the answers, he can really help you out. I'm going to refrain from telling you what my problems were because it may be something more simple; I hope. Your hopefully still under warranty, but the programmer is a big No No when it comes to warranty work, and may or may not be the cause of your issue.

 

[Jeffro]

How old is you fan belt?

I had a overheating problems with my F-250 while towing my stock trailer. A buddy of mine told me to change my fan belt. It solved my problem. I guess it was slipping on the water pump pulley. Good luck!

 

[Dogman]

Something you can check is your hoses. You'll need to tow your trailer and get it to overheat, but when that happens you need to look at the upper and lower radiator hoses and see if there collapsed. This happens when hoses are old or the thermostat is not working right and getting stuck closed. The water pump will try pulling the water out of the radiator but ends up sucking the hoses closed.

I'm thinking it's more of thermostat problem. It's the cheepest starting point.

 

[diesel patriot]

No coolant spilling. Need to checkk for the white color. 95k miles.

 

[diesel patriot]

I've heard about the hose problem before. Thanks, I'll check that too.

 

[diesel patriot]

The checked the belt and the tensioner. That is what I thought was wrong. Dealer says they are ok. Thanks

 

[bushpilot]

i guess i dont understand how you could be over heating and NOT loosing coolant...

share w/ us how you know its over heating...

 

[diesel patriot]

The truck was running fine, pulling well and I got a chime and message that said check gauges. I looked at the gauges and the engine temp was approaching the red line. I backed out of it and the engine cooled. This happened three other times without the chime and message. I caught it before it got that hot. I was driving as I always have when pulling the camper. I was overdue for an oil change and was pulling into a pretty heavy head wind, but I don't think that would be the reason for the overheating. I have pulled my camper through the mountains in Tennessee , North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia without an issue. I am supposed to take my truck to the dealer this week with my rig atached and they are going to ride along and monitor the engine.