Cat c7 question
I have a cat c7 7.2 liter engine in a 2004 Phaeton. I know that this was the first year that they changed over to the c7 7.2 liter from the previous years 7.2 liter cat engines. My question is how lon...
Forum Discussion
Scott,
I agree, I personally would not continue without addressing the overheating at 230 degrees F. Will it do permanent damage-- probably not, but certainly is not as good as running with it lower.
Things you can do before facing that situation:
1. As you did, clean the CAC/radiator-- mostly from the front where the dirt is deposited. Needs to be done at least once a year on a rear radiator chassis.
2. If the crankcase breather has not been extended to behind the fan shroud, do so immediately-- cost under $10. If anyone needs information, let us know. If your chassis maker did not extend it, you WILL have lots of oily dirt deposited on the front of the CAC blocking air flow through the CAC and radiator.
3. If your engine has a separate belt for the water pump (as do the Caterpillar 3116, 3126 and C7) make sure it is properly tensioned-- it does NOT have an automatic tensioner.
4. Make sure your coolant is "current"-- i.e. changed per the coolant manufacturer's recommendation, pressure cap is good, thermostat(s) are good, etc.
4. When really hot daytime temperatures are forecast, we change our schedule and drive in pre-dawn and morning. Particularly if heading east where the windshield will get all that solar heating.
Once on the road and experiencing overheating:
1. Turn off dash A/C. At a minimum, that is a 5 HP load on the engine. And, if the condenser is in the cooling package's air flow there is an additional heat load. Use roof A/C for cooling.
2. Gear down, running the engine at higher RPM's/lighter throttle. Climbing a grade at a certain speed takes XX HP. If in a lower gear/higher RPM/lighter throttle, the heat load produced by the engine is roughly the same, but the fan is turning faster, the water pump is turning faster, so more BTU's can be dissipated. For the 3126 or C7, that means around 2000 RPM.
3. Before overheating becomes excessive, pull over and run the engine at high idle until is cools back down.
4. If you are overheating and there is no place to pull over, turn on the dash heater with fan on HIGH. Yes, you will be uncomfortable for a few minutes, but the pain will be less than doing major engine damage. The heater is nothing more or less than an additional "radiator".
Brett
I agree, I personally would not continue without addressing the overheating at 230 degrees F. Will it do permanent damage-- probably not, but certainly is not as good as running with it lower.
Things you can do before facing that situation:
1. As you did, clean the CAC/radiator-- mostly from the front where the dirt is deposited. Needs to be done at least once a year on a rear radiator chassis.
2. If the crankcase breather has not been extended to behind the fan shroud, do so immediately-- cost under $10. If anyone needs information, let us know. If your chassis maker did not extend it, you WILL have lots of oily dirt deposited on the front of the CAC blocking air flow through the CAC and radiator.
3. If your engine has a separate belt for the water pump (as do the Caterpillar 3116, 3126 and C7) make sure it is properly tensioned-- it does NOT have an automatic tensioner.
4. Make sure your coolant is "current"-- i.e. changed per the coolant manufacturer's recommendation, pressure cap is good, thermostat(s) are good, etc.
4. When really hot daytime temperatures are forecast, we change our schedule and drive in pre-dawn and morning. Particularly if heading east where the windshield will get all that solar heating.
Once on the road and experiencing overheating:
1. Turn off dash A/C. At a minimum, that is a 5 HP load on the engine. And, if the condenser is in the cooling package's air flow there is an additional heat load. Use roof A/C for cooling.
2. Gear down, running the engine at higher RPM's/lighter throttle. Climbing a grade at a certain speed takes XX HP. If in a lower gear/higher RPM/lighter throttle, the heat load produced by the engine is roughly the same, but the fan is turning faster, the water pump is turning faster, so more BTU's can be dissipated. For the 3126 or C7, that means around 2000 RPM.
3. Before overheating becomes excessive, pull over and run the engine at high idle until is cools back down.
4. If you are overheating and there is no place to pull over, turn on the dash heater with fan on HIGH. Yes, you will be uncomfortable for a few minutes, but the pain will be less than doing major engine damage. The heater is nothing more or less than an additional "radiator".
Brett
