Hi guys, looking for some opinions on engine temp. This past summer while pulling my 24' travel trailer up the Loop Loop Pass in Washington my tempurature guage climbed up ...

Hi guys, looking for some opinions on engine temp. This past summer while pulling my 24' travel trailer up the Loop Loop Pass in Washington my tempurature guage climbed up to about 112 deg celcius(230 deg f). Tranny temp was fine as I have a really good aftermarket trans cooler installed. It was hot out as well, roughly 32 deg c (93 deg f). Just wondering how hot is too hot? I was at the top of the hill by the time it reached that temp and it came down quickly once I started heading downhill. Anybody have any tricks they have tried in the past that worked to keep the engine a few degrees cooler? Thanks,
TK

6.0L Gas 2004 2500hd

Synthetic engine oil. AMSOIL excels in Extreme Temperatures and while you might not be able to keep the oil temp as low as you would like, having the best oil to protect the engine is next best.

I've noticed a few degrees drop after adding Water Wetter to the coolant. I do a lot of towing too, through the foothills in VA and NC.

Better radiator or if your truck is equipped with an electric fan get a higher CFM electric fan that will fit with the stock radiator.

Hi 401tk,

This is what I was always told:

Normal Range
The normal range of temperature for a vehicle's engine is 195 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The radiator and cooling system can maintain this temperature range with a liquid mixture of 50 percent antifreeze and 50 percent water.

Overheating
When the temperature of the engine goes above 200 degrees, boiling of the coolant solution can cause overheating. A 50/50 solution of antifreeze/water will boil at 225 degrees F or so and increasing the amount of antifreeze to 70 per cent will increase the boiling temperature to 276 degrees F....
If the radiator is properly pressurized, the boiling temperature can be increased. However, if the engine contains any aluminum portions, (most engines today do) the increased heat can cause damage. Therefore, the best course of action is to keep the temperature within the normal range, or so they say.... The real damage occurs to the alum parts. They expand at a much faster rate than cast iron parts, and will warp if subjected to high temps 230deg F+ for long periods of time (30min or better)...

Your experience was brief by your statement - you should be Ok... Unless you now have leaks or other problems, that would change the situation. I assume you lost no water at the time, no leaks now, and the oil is not burnt now... That fact that outside temps were 90deg F or more did not help you for cooling purposes...

However, with that said... As Z15 stated, engine oil also acts as a coolant and lubricant (obviously)... The higher temps you experienced will lower the viscosity of the oil, and it's lubricating ability. The difference with engine oil temps, is that they did not retreat as fast as the water temps. They will remain high for a longer period of time (the engine is a huge heat sink), further breaking down the oils ability to maintain a barrier between metal parts.... Again, with the use of proper oil viscosity, and oil change PM, you should be Ok... The oil will discolor and start smelling bad, when it begins to break down. This is bad!!!

A good synthetic oil and quality filter, along with proper changes will protect your engine. If this is something you do ALL the time (once per week), an engine oil cooler might be in order! I believe this condition on a weekly basis would be considered "severe service".

Just my thoughts,

I hope this helped...

Thanks guys!! ALL good stuff to look at doing. When I look at my gauges I still have about 50 deg f before it goes into the red but I always like to keep my temps as low as possible. Has anybody tried a different thermostat? One that opens earlier.

Wingnut- I was looking at Waterwetter but from the research I have done it seems like you only get full benefits when using straight water. 20 deg drop with water and 7 deg f when used with 50/50 antifreeze. But still worth putting in for the price.

I also agree with the oil suggestions. I believe in changing oil often in a high miler truck. I do mine 2 times a year at 2500kms(1600 miles) I typically don't put more than 3000 miles on a year. I do agree that Amsoil is a great product but I still believe that it is necessary to drain the engine deposits frequently so I typically don't use the most expensive oil. It has always worked for me in the past with racing motorcycles. The mechanics at the local motorcycle dealership typically can't believe how good my engines look with the amount of hours they have on them.

Has anybody on here ever installed a larger radiator?
Thanks again guys!
TK

I added Amsoil Coolant Boost to my cooling system last summer. I have never had the engine or tranny temp move out of the normal range, even when towing the boat fully loaded. If anything, I am surprised by how cool everything runs. Works for me.

I've got the Coolant Boost in my truck. It warms up a lot faster, and even gets a little on the cool side when I'm out in cold weather! Great stuff... can't wait for summer!

401tk wrote:Thanks guys!! ALL good stuff to look at doing. When I look at my gauges I still have about 50 deg f before it goes into the red but I always like to keep my temps as low as possible. Has anybody tried a different thermostat? One that opens earlier.

Wingnut- I was looking at Waterwetter but from the research I have done it seems like you only get full benefits when using straight water. 20 deg drop with water and 7 deg f when used with 50/50 antifreeze. But still worth putting in for the price.

I also agree with the oil suggestions. I believe in changing oil often in a high miler truck. I do mine 2 times a year at 2500kms(1600 miles) I typically don't put more than 3000 miles on a year. I do agree that Amsoil is a great product but I still believe that it is necessary to drain the engine deposits frequently so I typically don't use the most expensive oil. It has always worked for me in the past with racing motorcycles. The mechanics at the local motorcycle dealership typically can't believe how good my engines look with the amount of hours they have on them.

Has anybody on here ever installed a larger radiator?
Thanks again guys!
TK

I've heard of problems with the aftermarket thermostats that open up at an early temp causing the engine to take quite a bit longer to warm up.

I would say if it's not so hot it is boiling the water/coolant out of the system it should be ok.