22RE running hot

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J

jgranthevagrant

10 Year
Joined
Sep 11, 2012
Threads
68
Messages
837
Location
Rossland, B.C.
Put a new radiator in my 1990 22RE a few months ago. Been driving around a bit this spring. Engine temp trends to hotter every now and again, especailly up longer hills. Thinking of going back to my OEM radiator, which I had rewelded and painted. Was thinking it might also be the fan clutch. Anything else it could be? Before I take it apart? Engine, thermostat, water pump, all have less than 5,000kms on them.
 
Are you running a fan shroud? Are you going by the factory gauge? Definitely check the fan clutch. Test the T-stat. Are you running a stock bumper?

My 22RE's in AZ heat stayed in normal temp ranges. We had a bunch of 22R and RE powered trucks with a LOT of miles on them. Only one with auto trans.

I had an internally plugged radiator cause over temps.

I had higher temps from a bad fan clutch.

I never had a water pump cause overheating. I have replaced pumps that leaked out the weep hole.

I never had a bad T-stat but I have changed them when I serviced or replaced a radiator or after a rebuild and such.

I always ran a fan shroud.

My 88 ran hot at speeds over 65 with my home built winch bumper with an 8274 winch. I had to alter the design for better air flow.

When I did a 3.4 swap I sold my 22RE and the guy later complained and said the coolant temp would creep up slowly. I had noticed he had just connected the heater hoses on the engine in a loop. If I remember right, that allows some of the coolant to just keep circulating in the engine and it never gets to the radiator. He plugged the lines instead and it quit creeping up in temp. This was a long time ago and I could be wrong on this. I don't have any 22RE's to look at anymore to confirm.

Just my experience. Good luck with it.
 
Thanks AZtoyman. I have not had too many issues with overheating here in B.C. Most parts of the cooling system are new or less than a year old. My leading suspects are the new radiator or the unknown era fan clutch. I ordered a new Aisin fan clutch a few minutes ago, so I will try that. Temp creeps up, mostly on sustained inclines. I turn on the cab heater to max, and engine temp goes down to normal fairly quickly after that.
 
I've been running the 3 row brass/copper radiator that was in the truck when I bought it from a friend in 2006. Even with the 3.4 it maintains normal temps. I did have it serviced twice since then. Actually rodded out, not just a flush. It's getting harder to find shops that do that anymore.
 
I have a factory Tstat. Will try the fan clutch first, then swap back to OEM radiator next. Never had any problems with the OEM rad until the mounting bracket welds (brazes?) gave out.
 
'fore you start throwing parts at it, make sure it's properly burped.
 
Yes, I'm thinking there could be air in the system somewhere as well. Will see what I can do on the weekend. Never had these issues with my old rad, and I probably took it in and out more than a dozen times.
 
What’s the current brand of radiator you’re running?
 
Pretty sure I bled it correctly. Will do it again this weekend, especially if fan clutch arrives. Last time I put the fan on, I just grabbed the best "feeling" and clean looking out of my box of spares. I have about 4 of them, with no idea of the age or origin of any of them. New rad is a CSF, which is also suspect, judging by some of the posts I read. It was the only one I could get on short notice, as I live about 3 hours away from a major centre, or 6 from Vancouver. The border makes shipping and delivery problematic.
 
I’d definitely be questioning if it was the CSF causing problems. I remember @Toast having problems with his CSF causing overheating problems and I suspect it may have been a problem I had with them too due to some overheating issues at slow speeds.
 
Yes, I saw those posts, too. It has been quite slow speeds. Usually long grinds uphill. I don't know enough about radiators to know the differences. They work or they don't. It looks fine. No leaks, and everything fits. Must be something with fluid dynamics that makes them different. I will revisit it maybe later this weekend.
 
Ditch that CSF fast. Damn chinesium crap caused me so much headache. My thought was that some or most of the coolant passages got clogged with solder or something. Figured it was just a bad batch but that was a few years ago I think. Guess they still need to be avoided. What’s the update on this?
 
I put a new fan clutch in tonight. Ran the truck to operating temp with the rad cap off. Not sure if anything "burped out". Might have time for a test drive tomorrow. Will look for an hour's drive with a solid hill in it, and watch the temp guage closely. Any issues whatsoever, and I will go back to my OEM rad on the weekend.
 
Ran the truck for about 90k/50+ miles tonight. Did a loop that took me back up the hill where I was starting to overheat. No issues at all, but I will be keeping a close eye on that rad. Might throw the OEM one back in if I can source a new shroud. My shroud is barely hanging in there.
 
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