I've got two questions. First, how many rows does the stock radiator on an 88 fj62 have? I see several aftermarket and OEM 4 row radiators but didn't know if mine is already a 4 row or not. Secondly, I live in Denver and love to drive into the mountains. Getting up vail pass and loveland pass is certainly slow moving (like 40 or so) and to even keep it at 40 my rpms are around 3500. I don't have overheating issues any other time than this, but everytime I go up one of those passes I have to pull off right before the temp gets into the red. Can anyone from Colorado let me know if this is normal and if I get a new radiator such as a 4 row if this would fix it or if I'm getting the same thing I already have?
Colorado Overheating
- Thread starter satchel
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have you tried that water wetter stuff? I've never had a problem with overheating and you might have a good reason on trying it.
Your factory radiator should easily be up to the task of keeping the mighty 3FE at normal operating temps if everything else is up to snuff. Even less expensive aftermarket replacements work well. Do you know if your fan clutch works? When it kicks in it sounds like a jet getting ready for takeoff. Have you flushed the cooling system and is the coolant in good shape? Where in Denver are you located as I live here too and would lend you a hand to see what's what.
- Thread starter
- #5
So you don't have any problems what so ever with going up the passes trying to get to vail or anywhere like that? Are you running that high rpms when you go up? I haven't done a system flush. I thought the fan clutch made the fan stop running at higher speeds and start turning at lower speeds, so I wouldn't see that being a problem right? I'm actually in Aurora near Havana and Alameda and would always love to have someone come over and gear around with me.
I never have overheating issues on Vail pass either so you should probably follow Overhanger's advice. Take him up on his offer to look things over, he has too much free time on his hands. 
I never have overheating issues on Vail pass either so you should probably follow Overhanger's advice. Take him up on his offer to look things over, he has too much free time on his hands.
And even when I didn't have too much time on my hands, you benefitted from my help on a couple occasions, right Chris? Sounds like Satchel is closer to your neighborhood and you have lots of free time too, don't you?
Either way, Satchel, your system should function adequately to not see temps rise to the levels you report. The fan clutch kicks in whenever the need arises independent of rpm and although some might disagree, it does help at hiway speeds.
That's right Steve and why I suggested he seek you out instead of me.
Sounds like Satchel is closer to your neighborhood and you have lots of free time too, don't you?
I will be even closer when I move. The moving preparations are eating up all my free time these days.
- Thread starter
- #9
What would be the troubleshooting steps for a fan clutch. The fan definitely turns, so can I call it good or do I just need to find a way to make the truck overheat and then look to see if the fan is rotating? I wondered if maybe my water pump wasn't pumping fast enough or if my radiator is 20 years old and in need of a replacement. I'll go ahead and flush it and see if that helps as well.
with a thick glove, lightly hold the fan blade and have someone fire up the rig. when it gets warm, the fan should pull out of your hands. if you can easily hold it, the clutch is bad. as steve mentioned, when you're pulling the mountains, it will sound like a jet engine...first time mine kicked on, it scared the crap out of me.
rover67
SILVER Star
I have the stock radiator (a new one) in my 60 with the v-8. If it keeps that motor cool doing 80 up the passes it should do fine in the 62. Old radiators definitly loose cooling capacity.. flush it, check the fan clutch, and see where you are at.
Hmm, I hope my hearings just bad because I've never noticed it going on.
I think I see a discrepancy between the V8 and 3FE here!
Only Colorado people can help?
Why is it that once people set foot in Colorado all they seem to want to do is name drop "Colorado"?
Anyways, my guess is that you think high altitude is a factor, so therefore only other "Colorado" people would be able to help.
Have you considered it's the high revs over an extended period of time? It is cold up on those two passes so cooling should be ok.
BTW, I grew up in Colorado, so I am allowed to answer your question.
Why is it that once people set foot in Colorado all they seem to want to do is name drop "Colorado"?
Anyways, my guess is that you think high altitude is a factor, so therefore only other "Colorado" people would be able to help.
Have you considered it's the high revs over an extended period of time? It is cold up on those two passes so cooling should be ok.
BTW, I grew up in Colorado, so I am allowed to answer your question.
rover67
SILVER Star
if my truck was overheating on a certian hill or in a certian spot i'd ask the folks that drive there in the same type trucks normally...
I know my truck cools differently at 11 thousand feet after a long pull up i-70... I think the thin air definitely cuts the cooling capacity.
I know my truck cools differently at 11 thousand feet after a long pull up i-70... I think the thin air definitely cuts the cooling capacity.
A Possibility..
Hey, I'm a bit north of you in Montana, lately my Cruiser has been overheating a bit more. I do a lot of mountain driving and I was seeing high temps on the long hills initially. About two weeks ago high temps also started appearing at long idles. Not overheating, but certainly higher than normal, or comfortable.
Today my smog pump seized up. I devaned the darn thing and then ran the motor. Temp wise, it's perfect. I took it for a drive up a near mountain and everything is great.
So I propose that it may just be that you're smog system is on a slow journey out, not allowing your water pump/fan to operate at their proper speeds. In turn you're seeing your engine heat up higher than normal, especially when the engine is under load.
I'm not a smog system fan and after devaning the darn thing and letting it run, I promptly decided to just take all smog related equipment out. Stay tuned...
Jon
Hey, I'm a bit north of you in Montana, lately my Cruiser has been overheating a bit more. I do a lot of mountain driving and I was seeing high temps on the long hills initially. About two weeks ago high temps also started appearing at long idles. Not overheating, but certainly higher than normal, or comfortable.
Today my smog pump seized up. I devaned the darn thing and then ran the motor. Temp wise, it's perfect. I took it for a drive up a near mountain and everything is great.
So I propose that it may just be that you're smog system is on a slow journey out, not allowing your water pump/fan to operate at their proper speeds. In turn you're seeing your engine heat up higher than normal, especially when the engine is under load.
I'm not a smog system fan and after devaning the darn thing and letting it run, I promptly decided to just take all smog related equipment out. Stay tuned...
Jon
Yeah, 40-45 is what I'm able to maintain going west on that last stretch before you hit the tunnel with stock size tires.
Mine doesn't overheat, but it gets up there. I'm not sure on the 62 but the 60's thermastat has a large o-ring on the top. If this is leaking or missing it would affect the flow to the heater core I believe. If this is applicable to the 62 then it's easy to check. Also, you can get a lower temp thermastat from napa that might help.
x2 on the radiator flush, especially on older rides. I did it on several of my vehicles and it does wonders.
Amazingly enough, when I went to 33's, I was able to go quite a bit faster up the pass. I was able to drop down to third without sending the rpm's to the 4000 limit for the long climbs.
Mine doesn't overheat, but it gets up there. I'm not sure on the 62 but the 60's thermastat has a large o-ring on the top. If this is leaking or missing it would affect the flow to the heater core I believe. If this is applicable to the 62 then it's easy to check. Also, you can get a lower temp thermastat from napa that might help.
x2 on the radiator flush, especially on older rides. I did it on several of my vehicles and it does wonders.
Amazingly enough, when I went to 33's, I was able to go quite a bit faster up the pass. I was able to drop down to third without sending the rpm's to the 4000 limit for the long climbs.
Hey Satchel, have you made any progress?
