Been having some cooling issues recently. Normally only on start up, as the engine warms up the heater begins to blow cool air and the water temp rises. As the temp gets up to over 3/4s of the way to the H level, the heater blows cool. Eventually, 3 to 4 minutes of driving, the water temp goes back down to the 50% mark and the heater instantly starts blowing hot air.

So I have changed out the thermostat, but no improvement has been noted. In doing so, my battery dummy light came on... and I have pulled off the positive terminal for 30 secs in hopes to reset something that might have been done during the thermostat swap... but it still will not go away. The Battery gage, which I assume is the alternator gage, measures fine.

Any help with the cooling issue would be greatly appreciated... and info on what would cause the battery dummy light to go would also be helpful.

Thanks.
Jeff

 

Check you alternator connections. If good have autozone test it real quick. sounds like you might have an air pocket in your cooling system. Theres a way of burping it but I dont recall.. Your temp should steadely rise then maintain the same position on your gauge. Fluctuations in temperature should only be about 10 degrees not enough to show on the guage normally.

 

Really need some help on this one. Battery issue is gone, but cooling issue is getting worse. While driving, all of a sudden the water temp will rise to H and then the oil temp light will come on... then if I try to accelerate the engine starts to shake... eventually something happens and the temp drops instantaneously and the oil temp light goes out and the engine runs fine.

I have had the hood up one time when this was happening... and the upper radiator hose was pressurized. I believe the engine is unable to move fluid through the radiator quick enough to cool it... but I have never heard of a radiator clogging.

I am afraid to drive my truck anywhere due to the engine damage when it gets extremely hot. Please help.