Forum Discussion

BobsYourUncle's avatar
BobsYourUncle
Nomad
Sep 10, 2019

Radiator performance? Life expectancy?

Just thought I'd put this out to you guys, since you are all so smart!! :B

Truck in sig, getting old. 393,500 K on the odometer. (244,509 miles)

I noticed while towing 8000 pounds of trailer in addition to my rack and toolboxes at about 2000 pounds, that it was really easy for the temperature to creep up going up minor grades. It was Saskatchewan in August, pretty warm, but not real hot. Not a lot of serious hills in Sask.

Took it very easy, cruised st about 60 - 63 MPH most of the time, watching the gauges like a hawk. Fan kicked in a few times as the temp gauge crept up.

I don't recall this ever being an issue in the past.

Planning a trip through the Rockies close to the coast of BC in a couple weeks. Some really serious grades to pull on that highway.

I'm wondering what I should expect from my radiator. It is original and has never been touched, flushed or anything.

I wonder what the life expectancy of the rad is....

Further wondering if it could be starting to plug up inside, with reduced flow.

I have always kept the proper mix of Dexcool in it since new.

Any thoughts?
  • stevemorris's avatar
    stevemorris
    Explorer
    Sep 10, 2019
    everything in the cooling system loses efficiency with age
    radiator, water pump, thermostat, hoses, coolant

    start with a coolant flush, might as well do the hoses and thermostat during that, there usually easy

    radiators do plug up and the fins get damaged, water pump impellers corrode away reducing the pump's flow
  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    Sep 10, 2019
    When was the last time you changed out the anti-freeze? And it's possible the thermostat is losing its ability to open completely, and partially blocking flow.

    My 2001 Dodge Cummins was tending to run a bit warmer than in the past. I drained and replaced the anti-freeze and distilled water, and also replace the thermostat. I noticed this summer that the temps seemed to stay down a bit better. Of course it could just be wishful thinking.

    OTOH if you been filling your radiator out of the garden hose, you may be due to have some issues. Our water here is so hard, we buy water to make coffee with. YMMV.

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