Is my engine running too hot?
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Is my engine running too hot?
I have been chasing down an issue with my engine running at what I think is too hot.\nOn a 90 degree day, When I drive down the road at 55-60 mph under normal conditions, my 440 engine is running at 210-220 degrees. I changed the thermostat from a 180 to a 160 degree unit with no difference.\nI have a factory guage and an aftermarket dash guage. The factory guage never gets too far from the "C" so I changed out the aftermarket guage, but the readings are the same as the old one.\nI put the thermostat in a pan of boiling water and checked it to be opening while in place in the housing. It works as it should (see pics below).\n\nI have done the following:\n- Radiator has been cleaned, etc (at radiator shop)\n- new water pump\n- new fan clutch\n- all new hoses including heater hoses\n- new 160 thermostat\n- new 50/50 antifreeze (old anti-freeze was nice and clean)\n\nAnyone have any ideas? I think my next step is to check the timing and after that I may order a "hi-flow" water pump.
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Last edited by 77Travco on Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- Travco Model: 1975 270,1974 220
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Re: Is my engine running too hot?
That sounds hot. Mine doesnt run that hot. I was not impressed with the knockoff water pump I got from NAPA.\nI regret not getting a HO one from Summit. So far I am ok but will know in a few weeks.\nDo you have a laser temp gun ? Take some shots on the rad and see if its getting rid of the heat.
1977 Travco 270 Elite\n1974 Travco 220 Parts unit
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Re: Is my engine running too hot?
Try using a thermometer in it too or shoot the rad with a laser. Sunpro is not what Imwould bet the farm on. \nGet an accurate reading with a diagonstic tool.
1977 Travco 270 Elite\n1974 Travco 220 Parts unit
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Re: Is my engine running too hot?
I am getting the same readings between 4 temperature guages and a hand held thermometor. I will put a timing light on it tomorrow and I may pull the thermostat out all together and see what happens. Did motorhome 440's come with a different water pump than a 1-ton Dodge truck?\nI just wish that I would have ordered a Hi-Flo water pump when I had the radiator out and it was easy to get to. I will probably be ordering one soon and crawling under there to change it.
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Re: Is my engine running too hot?
Go on NAPA's site and look up both but I don't think so. The one you had the pic of is the same one I used. That's kinda why I'd like to see some temp reading on different parts of the rad to see if it's working. Maybe it's more clogged than the rad shop thought ? Or it was a lousy waterpump.
1977 Travco 270 Elite\n1974 Travco 220 Parts unit
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Re: Is my engine running too hot?
I moved my timing from 10 to 7 1/2 degrees BTDC as per the service manual but I am not expecting that to really make a difference.\n\nWhile looking at the "cooling" section I realized that my coach is missing the air baffles on either side of the radiator. They wern't there when I removed it to take it into the radiator shop. I can feel the airflow into the front grill as the engine is running but this issue has to be at least part of the problem. Looks like a trip to Home Depot is in my near future. \n\nI circled the missing baffles in the 3rd picture.
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Re: Is my engine running too hot?
Well, I found an old Harley lexan windshield off my roadglide and cut it up. It's hard to tell in the pictures but I actually did a pretty good job of sealing up the holes.\nI took it out on a short road trip today and it made no difference at all. Engine temp runs 210 - 220 when traveling down the road at 65mph.\nOh well... It runs fine and I am not even sure that this is abnormal for this vehicle in this area. More to come.
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Last edited by 77Travco on Thu Jul 04, 2013 2:20 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: Is my engine running too hot?
I don't think Travco used the side baffles. None of mine had them and I have had 7. The newest one I have had though it a 75.\nThat manual is for the Chassis and that is the recommendation but I don't think Travco followed it. \nLet us know if it helped. How many cores is your Rad?\nI would still like to see a reading at the inlet and the outlet to see if there is a difference in temp which there should be.
1977 Travco 270 Elite\n1974 Travco 220 Parts unit
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Re: Is my engine running too hot?
I experimented with removing most of the thermostat... see pics below.\nAt first I thought I had found my issue but it just took longer for it to get as hot as it always runs. The coach runs completely normal and the factory guage never gets past the 1/4 mark. I have at least a 4 core radiator.\n\nI have a buddy here in town that has an automotive repair shop. I am going to run it by him soon and get a temp gun on the situation as suggested.
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Re: Is my engine running too hot?
Yeah get the temp gun and shoot the rad top and bottom. It should be lower at the bottom. Also see how it jives with your guage. If you see no difference from top of rad to bottom and the laser reads what your gauge does I would have to say the rad is not getting rid of the heat.
1977 Travco 270 Elite\n1974 Travco 220 Parts unit