Cooling Troubles

[98silvz71]

So I haven't been able to get my hands on a diesel truck. So I'm still drivin the 98 gasser right now. (In my signature) Anyway, been having the truck run hot when it runs up the hills. Its not loaded and its only small hills. The temp gauge runs at about 180 degrees, and when a hill comes up it climbs above 210 degrees. I figure its the fan clutch goin out cause it seems to take awhile to start spinning up high rpm. So I was lookin at the Flex-a-lite Electric fans p/n 280 or I was goin to go for a new Hayden Severe Duty Fan CLutch and a Flex fan. I was mainly wondering if anyone has had the electric fans before and how they liked them or if the flex fan is better. Any opinions would be appriciated.

[98 Z71 SLT]

So I haven't been able to get my hands on a diesel truck. So I'm still drivin the 98 gasser right now. (In my signature) Anyway, been having the truck run hot when it runs up the hills. Its not loaded and its only small hills. The temp gauge runs at about 180 degrees, and when a hill comes up it climbs above 210 degrees. I figure its the fan clutch goin out cause it seems to take awhile to start spinning up high rpm. So I was lookin at the Flex-a-lite Electric fans p/n 280 or I was goin to go for a new Hayden Severe Duty Fan CLutch and a Flex fan. I was mainly wondering if anyone has had the electric fans before and how they liked them or if the flex fan is better. Any opinions would be appriciated.

 

I'd do a coolant flush and fill, if you haven't already. Also, throw a new thermostat in it. And make sure the cooling fins in your radiator are not plugged up with debris.

 

If you plan on KEEPING this 98 for a long time, upgrade the fan clutch. If you are going to SELL it within the next year...just get a stock replacement.

[C & A s Dad]

I would agree with the advice on sevicing the system and replacing the stat. Check your fan clutch but if you do replace it, you do not want a fan clutch and a felx fan. The flex fan is made to work without a clutch. IMO, replace the clutch if it is bad and don't bother with the flex fan.

[98silvz71]

Yea right after I posted this I figured out that the flex fan is a cheap version of fan clutch. I have already done a radiator flush and fill but I never thought of the thermostat. It has a 180 degree thermostat in it, so when climbing the hill I figured it was not gettin enough air through the radiator. The fan only comes on full speed when the truck is first started. After that it won't come on full speed. Plus when the engine temp goes up the a/c gets hotter with it. And I know the compressor is still spinning because the loss of power.

[jwalker]

There are countless number of threads on this topic that can answer your question completly by simply using the SEARCH feature. Using this information, I've condensed the answer for you short & sweet.

 

Get the flex_a_lite dual fans with controller, clean out your radiator & condenser, use 1-2 bottles of Royal Purple Ice with your antifreeze, get a new thermostat, lower & upper radiator hoses. JUNK that Clutch fan set up as it robs power, fuel milage, & only kicks in at 210 degrees.

 

This will fix your problem accorrding to the other posters on this board.

[ken1mod]

Gentlemen,

 

210 degrees under hot conditions and heavy load is not really a big deal. I believe overtemp is somewhere around 260 degrees.

 

Ken

[98silvz71]

Gentlemen,

 

210 degrees under hot conditions and heavy load is not really a big deal. I believe overtemp is somewhere around 260 degrees.

 

Ken

 

Its not a heavy load and its at any time of day. The hills are really just inclines, and its empty. Im going to get a car about 700 miles away and want to make sure that it doesn't overheat. The only other time I have pulled a heavy load with it was during winter when it was barely 40 degrees outside.