engine temp question

[fixitman4710]

hey guys again im new to chevy diesel. 98 chevy k3500 6.5 turbo.
my truck has enclosed service bed and is 4x4. weight is about 12000lbs.
my temp runs about 195degrees on flat ground,but when i get in the
mountains in asheville,nc my temp guage goes up over 210 degrees.
is this normal. can i put a bigger radiator in the truck and where can
i get it? also driving down the road after about 30 mins the truck
surges, spits and sputters for a couple mins and then runs normal.
seems to do same thing everyday. any ideas on what is getting ready
to fail. fuel filter is new, ops is new, oil change has 2000 miles on it.
i have no history report on truck. thanks for the help everyone.
steve n.carolina

[mobilevet]

I bet the surging, spitting, is the PMD/FSD (whatever you want to call the IP's computer). Mine did the same thing this AM and I just switch to my backup FSD and it ran fine all the rest of the morning. I'm about to post a few questions on this so maybe the answers will be of help to you also.

Don't know about the temps except that after I have put my dual therms, HO pump on my 94 with 180 tstats, I've never run even close straight up on the t-guage - don't do much pulling though...

[scot5146]

Steve-

Make sure your cooling system is all ok before you buy a new radiator...

My 99 6.5 ran hot at first, so

I cleaned all the crap stuck to the front of the radiator, made sure I put in 180* thermostats (My truck has the dual system)

next make sure your fan clutch is working right, if not get a performance one from Kennedy diesel, makes a big differance...

Good free flowing exhaust helps, 4" kit is what I did...

Before you buy a new PMD make sure the fuel filter is new and clean, if it still surges maybe the PMD, also how many miles are on the truck, is it time for injectors...


DON'T BE DISCOURAGED these are good rigs just like any they sometimes have a few bugs to work out of them...

I have a PMD, remote cable, and cooler that I was going to sell cheap, almost new if your interested let me know...

Best of luck, let me know if I can help...

Mike

Firefighter/Vancouver WA

[SVO1]

Mike- if you do sell that PMD/Cable/Sync and the OP is not interested let me know, I am looking for one for my new to me 94 Burb.

[racer55]

hey guys again im new to chevy diesel. 98 chevy k3500 6.5 turbo.
my truck has enclosed service bed and is 4x4. weight is about 12000lbs.
my temp runs about 195degrees on flat ground,but when i get in the
mountains in asheville,nc my temp guage goes up over 210 degrees.
is this normal. can i put a bigger radiator in the truck and where can
i get it? also driving down the road after about 30 mins the truck
surges, spits and sputters for a couple mins and then runs normal.
seems to do same thing everyday. any ideas on what is getting ready
to fail. fuel filter is new, ops is new, oil change has 2000 miles on it.
i have no history report on truck. thanks for the help everyone.
steve n.carolina

The first step to good cooling is to have the cooling stack clean.
Yearly maintenance or more often in dirty conditions includes removing the grill and upper rad shroud and removing any debris,rinsing the AC condenser and rad along with any coolers with a garden hose and then blowing them clean with low pressure air.

If you remove the rad completely you can rinse with a water hose,soak with "scrubbing bubbles" and rinse again and dry then re-install.

As mentioned a working fan clutch is important and cleaning the bi metal spring that engages the clutch helps also.

A properly working rad cap is important too.

A product like water wetter aids the system also along with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and neutrally balanced water(ph).I prefer green antifreeze over dexcool.

The main thing is to have good airflow through the cooling stack.

AC Delco thermostats only IMHO.

And as mentioned an unobstructed free flowing exhaust helps including a good crossover exhaust pipe(stock pipes have been known to collapse).

A properly working turbo is important since black smoke out the exhaust = heat.

An EGT gauge is important as well so you can drive according to the temps of the exhaust and the coolant-coolant temp only tells part of the story.

[fixitman4710]

i took the fan shroud off and cleaned everything with coil cleaner.
i am a refrigeration mechanic and clean coils are the key. i just replaced
the fuel filter and thermostats, and oil pressure switch. i have a new
high output water pump,but havent changed it yet. the truck had 170,000
miles on it when i got it. it has 173,000 now. i never see black smoke
and seems to have plenty of power. how can i get in touch mike. my lift
pump looks original, very old look to it. thanks for the help guys

thanks

steve

[scot5146]

Steve-

Check your personal email inbox, I sent you a message!

Mike