My SSR: 2004 Ultra Violet / 06 Chrome Package / Custom Purple Ultra Suede Interior / Dictator Air Dam
Where's my heat? Ooops, and Merry Christmas!
Great cold day in Ohio begged me to take out the truck from it's winter hibernation. Being it's Christmas, I obliged. However, the temp gauge read 260 and the vents blew cold air after 20 minutes on the road.
What's my issue, folks?
My SSR: 04 UV, BOD 2-18-04, SN 5550, lots of polished billet, Superchips, K&N - Previous 03 and 05 owner
Quote:
Originally Posted by ssus
Great cold day in Ohio begged me to take out the truck from it's winter hibernation. Being it's Christmas, I obliged. However, the temp gauge read 260 and the vents blew cold air after 20 minutes on the road.
What's my issue, folks?
Check the level of your radiator fluid. The tank is really terrible for viewing the level, make sure you take off the cap and get a flash light to make sure it is near the correct level. If it's good the problem might be a stuck thermostat.
After thinking about the dynamics of the thermostat, there is a failure mode that could be driving your issue. The cold water inlet side could be stuck closed (preventing the radiator from providing cold coolant to the engine)and the recirculation plate at the back of the t-stat could be stuck open (allowing bypass of the heater loop).
I have never seen this failure mode, but it is possible....... Please post the results of your investigation.......
Mike
__________________ Trust and Generosity are contagious.
Hmm... this got me thinking. I had noticed that I don't have nearly as much "heat" as I should (but no overheating yet), so I checked my coolant level... it was pretty low inside the expansion tank. I topped it up. We'll see tomorrow morning whether it makes a difference.
I'm overdue for the coolant flush... and I also realized I haven't got a replacement thermostat, so that's now on my next shopping list.
My SSR: 2004 Ultra Violet / 06 Chrome Package / Custom Purple Ultra Suede Interior / Dictator Air Dam
Problem fixed, but a new issue.
Good call indeed, Dragon AND Mike!
Thanks for the suggestions, folks, and so sorry for the late results response. In Ohio, you take the SSR out only when you can! The coolant was indeed low. The overflow tank was empty and it took almost a gallon of 1/2 coolant and 1/2 water. Presto, plenty of heat and running at a normal temp. However, it appears I have some sort of leak...or better yet, a seep from the radiator area on each side of the radiator. Doesn't seep all the time though. And when it does it's like a drop about the size of a half dollar, and that's it. This one has me scratching my chin. Ideas?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike in AZ
Good call Dragon.
You need to start by checking the fluid level.
After thinking about the dynamics of the thermostat, there is a failure mode that could be driving your issue. The cold water inlet side could be stuck closed (preventing the radiator from providing cold coolant to the engine)and the recirculation plate at the back of the t-stat could be stuck open (allowing bypass of the heater loop).
I have never seen this failure mode, but it is possible....... Please post the results of your investigation.......
Look carefully at the place where the core is bent around the plastic tanks. There is a rubber seal between each tank and the core..... If this gives up, you'llstart losing fluid............
__________________ Trust and Generosity are contagious.
This sort of problem happens quite often where you get extreme temperature changes. I have had this happen on two vehicles that have the plastic tanks with the rubber like seal. Just like Mike says they begin to leak. Seems to occur more with large temperature changes. Doesn't leak in the summer but with the core contracting due to the cold in the fall or winter you get a leak or a seep. Warm the engine up and no leak. With time you get a drop in coolant just as you found. Once it starts it will not quit. In time the situation seems to get worse and the radiator needs to be replaced. I might mention cold where I live in winter is -40 at times and damn cold most of the time anyway. Except this year for some unknown reason!!!!!!! Most mild winter on record.
This sort of problem happens quite often where you get extreme temperature changes. I have had this happen on two vehicles that have the plastic tanks with the rubber like seal. Just like Mike says they begin to leak. Seems to occur more with large temperature changes. Doesn't leak in the summer but with the core contracting due to the cold in the fall or winter you get a leak or a seep. Warm the engine up and no leak. With time you get a drop in coolant just as you found. Once it starts it will not quit. In time the situation seems to get worse and the radiator needs to be replaced. I might mention cold where I live in winter is -40 at times and damn cold most of the time anyway. Except this year for some unknown reason!!!!!!! Most mild winter on record.
Your post made me laugh, it reminded me of a car commercial on TV lately. You don't need a better car, you need a better address, something say about 1,000 miles south!
__________________
If you search the world for happiness, you may find it in the end, for the world is round and will lead you back to your door. ~Robert Brault
Your post made me laugh, it reminded me of a car commercial on TV lately. You don't need a better car, you need a better address, something say about 1,000 miles south!
Well I figured that out some time ago. We spend the winter months in Phoenix, and we drive the SSR down here as well.
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