Well, after doin' a coolant flush, new hoses, thermostat, leakin' intake manifold gaskets, and a second flush, the F-150 is still overheating.

Pulled the radiator to have it rodded out, but an initial look doesn't show much buildup of anything to cause a problem. Also surprised it came right out quick, but havin' a five speed narrowed down the steps.





So last thing I'm thinkin' is the water pump impeller is worn. Anyone see that after only 100k? Gonna pull that tommarra and see whats up.

Never did it on a triton though before. Any big differences from the good ole windsors?





Adrianspeeder

 

Can you rule out the head gaskets?

It really sounds like a blown head gasket though....

You might try opening the cap when the engine is 'cold' and look for bubbles comming thru the system when you start it up.

It might not happen until there is some heat in the engine, however?

I don't know if it'll work or not, because we can't "see" the inside of the rad, but you might try removing the stat and run the engine and see if you can see the coolant 'flow' in the res tank?? That would rule out the pump being at fault??

When does it start to overheat?

Mitch

 

Cheeze and crackers don't say that. Yet....

After about 15+mins of normal driving, or five mins of hard drivin'/

Adrianspeeder

 

What did the old coolant look like when it came out?

If it was still 'clear', then you might still be ok.

I've never heard of the impeller blades wearing out, but stranger things have happened before with these machines!

Are you sure you got all the air bubbles/pockets out of the system?

When I do my coolant, I run it with the res cap off for awhile, turn the heater to full hot, but leave the blower off, so it keeps more heat in the engine.

Rev it up, let it idle, rev it up and repeat for about as long as it takes to slowly down a beer, then I put the cap on and take it out for a spin! (as long as I haven't had too many beers while doing the flush! ha)

It's worked for me so far.

Do you have an aftermarket water temp gauge? Or do you know for sure you are overheating?

Mitch

 

Coolant was fine


I have with a 300 six runnin' over 400k

Yup, been problem free since we did all the other work about a month ago.


Never did get around to puttin' real gauges in this truck, but idiot needle gauge pegs and fluid starts pukin' so we'll see whats up with the pump tomarra.

Lookin' like just four bolts on the pully and pry off? How bout the Triton style fan clutch?

Adrianspeeder

 

Could be that your clutch is shot or not actively engaging or whatnot. I've heard of problems with them.

 

Good point to bring up, but it is easily noticed lockin' up and goin to full roar.

Adrianspeeder

 

adrian, i have a 97 4.6. it had the same problems until i dropped the clutch fan assy. i think its a flawed design there or the idiot light / needle is flawed... my problem was in summer driving on dune access road the needle would run mid way then rocket up to overheating and put the truck in that limp mode thing.

either way i dont like the clutch fan

consider going to e-fans? i never got my clutch fans to work. old or new.

 

Really, I've always read it was the other way were most people who do Efans just don't get the same air handling capacity and go back to the mechanical. Either way I can't get the dang clutch loose!

Adrianspeeder

 

4.6L: 2 - Adrianspeeder: 1

Turns out to be normal righty tighty lefty loosey thread, just on there hella tight

After two strap wrenches snapped, and no steel plate layin' around, bit the $29 (discounted) and got the fan removal tool from the Tool Shed.



Well even if it cost double it was worth the 1min it took to remove.

 

I don't think the pump is the problem, just a slight amount of wear by the passages. Brand new one was only 60bucks at napa though so not gonna shortcut here.



Tomarra gonna do a compression check.

Adrianspeeder

 

adrian, my clutch's didnt ever seem to engage so i decided e-fans were my best bet... and seem to work when they are suppose to.

as far as removal of thee clutch fan, im surprised you couldnt get it off with a big crescent with a pipe on the end for leverage and a small wrench on the bolt to the waterpump pulley. thats how i got mine off twice.

 

Cool!, glad yer fans are workin'.

Yeah, tell me about it. With the removal tools, half inch drive breaker bars, and two cheater pipes on that with dad pullin' on one, and me on the other it finally broke loose. Fawker was on there...

Adrianspeeder

 

wow, i only have ~20" of leverage and i got mine off easier the first time. lol

 

Well, after this truck sittin' fer a bit now and gettin' in the way, put the new water pump in and buttoned everything back up.



New belt easy to do with all the crap out the way.





Anyway, after gettin' the rodded out radiator in and some fresh coolant, drove it hard fer an hour. Level didn't rise in the tank, and no overheating. Gettin' 'bout 3000lbs of stone tomarra fer a job so we'll see.