Overheating problems!

white1500 · July 2, 2013

Right now I just want this thing to run around town without overheating. It's the most trouble that she's ever given me..

Although to be honest I think it's my fault that she got air in the system.

But anyways, I'll see if I can get the radiator tomorrow and install it then.

white1500 · July 3, 2013

We accidentally bought a 34" radiator that has the engine oil cooler, is it fine to use on our truck that comes with the smaller radiator? We don't plan on using the oil cooler just yet so it will be closed off.

It looks like it will fit lengthwise, but I'm not sure if it's the same height. We have yet to measure the radiator that's still on the truck.

If we can move up to this 34" radiator without problems then I will without thinking twice about it.

Please advise asap! ;)

It'll be installed on July 4th since I don't work that day.

Chris · July 3, 2013

Only difference will be your fan shroud

white1500 · July 3, 2013

Yeah I did notice that the fan shroud won't cover an inch or two on the sides. But that's not a legitimate problem as far as I see it.

And do you think that there's a large fan shroud available to change to so that it matches this 34" radiator?

white1500 · July 3, 2013

And yesterday night when we were planning on changing the radiator, we decided to try and fix an electrical problem with the fuel pump. SHe had been stalling lately and would work when I messed around with the cables, so they were replaced.

Chris · July 3, 2013

HD fan shroud possibly?

white1500 · July 3, 2013

Good idea, thanks.

Chris · July 3, 2013

I am not 100% sure it will fit but it is a good guess

gm4yrs · July 4, 2013

I upgraded to a Silla 34" all-aluminum radiator, with engine oil cooler tank, for $200.

Order a new fan shroud at dealer, upper and lower, from a 2500 Gm truck, 1999-2004

The upper radiator hose is 3" longer, bottom hose is same.

New radiator will bolt up to upper radiator support, the holes are there.

Temps will be cooler, in the winter, 170*, heater luke warm.

Summer will be around 200*.

Temps are with stock mechanical fan, not e-fan.

white1500 · July 4, 2013

You guys are the best, thank you so much!

And gm4years, will the 34" also bolt in at the bottom? I did notice that the top holes are there, but I haven't been able to check the bottom for a match.

And the top hose is 3" longer? Thanks for the heads up, but it looks like another trip to the autoparts store.

As for the engine oil cooler setup, is there a howto somewhere around here? Or you can also post some general tips in here if possible.

So the radiator swap is planned for tomorrow and hopefully this will settle everything once and for all. I plan to flush the engine as much as possible and then do the swap with proper Dexcool and distilled water.

It's an understatement that she needs to run reliably before the a/c goes in sooner or later.

white1500 · July 4, 2013

And I just noticed the part about a lower heater temp, is it noticeable? I would still like to have decent heat in the winter since it can get pretty cold around here. And the truck might go to very cold places so with the family it matters even more. But I don't think it'll be a big deal though, we'll see.

gm4yrs · July 4, 2013

The holes are in the lower radiator support, too.

Reuse the rubber bushings, on the bottom of radiator.

The winter heater temp will reach 90*, out of vent.

Hot setting will be luke warm, at 40* outside temp.

I corrected my post, above, about the shroud.

Lookup a 2500, 3/4 ton GM,

I used 1999-2000 non HD model.

2005 + GM trucks had the 34" radiator, not the 28".

You will have to cut, the rubber piece, on each side, of the radiator, too.

The engine oil cooler connects, above the oil filter.

The hardest part, is routing the lines, along the engine block, and above the wires, in front of the block.

You will need a clip / screw, middle of engine block, a clip on the lower shroud, two radiator connections, and a gasket at engine block connection.

I could not compare difference of temps, temp gauge is for coolant, not engine oil.

Use proper torque, on the screws to connections.

white1500 · July 5, 2013

The new radiator fill perfectly fine and there are no clearance issues at all. The lines and new bottom and top radiator hoses fit perfectly as well.

I opened up the bottom of the radiator and attached a hose to to the surge tank to flush as much of the junk and old water from the system as possible. I did that until the thermostat opened up and there was a good flow in and out of the system.

Now it will just be a waiting game to see if it is the solution to the overheating. I am praying to God that there are no more problems!

And the new radiator is so much larger than the old one, too bad I didn't take any pictures to compare.

white1500 · July 5, 2013

And I think I'll leave the shroud as it is for now since it isn't a big deal. The gap on each side only about an inch or so.

As for the engine oil cooler, I have blocked off the inlets on the radiator for now. I hope I can get around to it sooner or later, it would definitely benefit the truck out here in the desert.

Thank you to everyone who helped me out on this overheating issue, and knock on wood that no more help is needed! ;)

P.S. After the install I washed and cleaned her (inside and out). I also cleaned up the engine bay since it was nasty from previous coolant spills.