Hubbs
Member
- Messages
- 21
- Location
- Dallas, TX
2009 H3T Alpha
It had all original parts including a leaking factory radiator. Temps would rise continuously if idiling in anything warmer than 60 deg temp. If moving or raising rpm, temp would drop to about 200. In warmer temps this helped, but not as well. In 109 degrees nothing worked, even when driving without ac at highway speed.
I tried replacing the thermostat first, just to see what impact it would make. Zero change. Then I tried removing the thermostat and temp peaked at 170 in 80 deg temps. This made me think the water pump may not be performing well since the restriction of the thermostat caused it to heat up.
Here is where I decided to do a full cooling system upgrade. Replaced water pump, thermostat with a 180 deg unit, belts, hoses, tensioner, idler and fan clutch. Upgraded radiator to a thicker, 2-row all aluminum piece with a new cap and of course new 50/50 coolant. I also disconnected the trans cooler lines from the radiator and installed a remote cooler under the truck behind the psgr seat.
It has been burped VERY well, so no air in the system. Condenser is clean and undamaged. Shroud fits perfectly. There is no sign of any issues with a head gasket.
I can't imagine anything else I can possibly do short of upgrading to a racing water pump, which shouldn't be necessary.
After all that it was about 60 degrees today when I tested it. I use a scantool for temp measurements. It idles at 202 degrees and drops to 195 at highway speed. If I raise the idle rpm to 2000-ish it will drop to 197 deg. Basically unchanged overall, even with the 180* stat. If the cooling system weren't having an issue, it should be settling at 180* or at least close to it.
I'm concerned how it's going to behave in the 100*+ summers. Any ideas at all?
It had all original parts including a leaking factory radiator. Temps would rise continuously if idiling in anything warmer than 60 deg temp. If moving or raising rpm, temp would drop to about 200. In warmer temps this helped, but not as well. In 109 degrees nothing worked, even when driving without ac at highway speed.
I tried replacing the thermostat first, just to see what impact it would make. Zero change. Then I tried removing the thermostat and temp peaked at 170 in 80 deg temps. This made me think the water pump may not be performing well since the restriction of the thermostat caused it to heat up.
Here is where I decided to do a full cooling system upgrade. Replaced water pump, thermostat with a 180 deg unit, belts, hoses, tensioner, idler and fan clutch. Upgraded radiator to a thicker, 2-row all aluminum piece with a new cap and of course new 50/50 coolant. I also disconnected the trans cooler lines from the radiator and installed a remote cooler under the truck behind the psgr seat.
It has been burped VERY well, so no air in the system. Condenser is clean and undamaged. Shroud fits perfectly. There is no sign of any issues with a head gasket.
I can't imagine anything else I can possibly do short of upgrading to a racing water pump, which shouldn't be necessary.
After all that it was about 60 degrees today when I tested it. I use a scantool for temp measurements. It idles at 202 degrees and drops to 195 at highway speed. If I raise the idle rpm to 2000-ish it will drop to 197 deg. Basically unchanged overall, even with the 180* stat. If the cooling system weren't having an issue, it should be settling at 180* or at least close to it.
I'm concerned how it's going to behave in the 100*+ summers. Any ideas at all?