kodiakcanuck
Ottawa, Canada
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Joined: 07/29/2008
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Hello,
Just wondering if anybody else has experienced this? When towing my Kodiak 214 with my 04 Dodge Ram Quad cab 4x4, 4.7L, the coolant temperature gauge runs between mid point and the HOT or overheat point. It only happens when towing, any other time the temp gauge runs just under half regardless of outside temperature.
It only happens under these conditions:
-outside air is hot and humid (not during cool weather)
-faster Interstate/HWY speeds (or more times the truck runs at higher RPMS)
-large or long grades.
Once the truck slows down or is idling, the temp returns to close to normal. It has never actually overheated just runs at the hotter temperature. It has happened on a number of occasions, and once I am not towing, temp is fine? Is this normal for Dodge?
Obvious items have been checked, coolant level OK, no leaks. Truck has 130,000 kms (80,000 miles) so I would think the coolant should still be good? Could it be the thermostat not opening all the way?
2007 Kodiak 214
2004 Dodge RAM 4x4,4.7L - darn, should have had a HEMI
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VintageRacer
Dundas, Ontario
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I would change the coolant, flush the system and perhaps change the thermostat, since it's done some miles and it's due anyway. I would clean the rad and all the other coolers up there front and back with a high pressure sprayer. - an amazing amount of stuff gets in there. Then, with all systems checked and ready to go, you'll know that if it heats up a bit it's just telling you it's working hard.
Brian
2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab, Hemi, 5 speed manual, 3.73 gears, Tow Beast hitch with 24" extension.
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Rollincool
Always Rollin
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That's close to normal. That 'lil 4.7 is working. "Faster and longer grades" tells me your cooling system wants help. I would flush the cooling system with GOOD flush and refill with fresh 50/50 mixture, and install a new stat. After all, it's a 2004. It's due. Cheaper than a breakdown.
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BamaCharlie
Chelsea,Al
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My 04 Ram did the same thing. I was told it was normal by the dealer.
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killerbee
PHOENIX USA, Never hot
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If you tow regularly, you should be doing coolant flush maintenance every 24 months. Forget what the manual says.
Is your fan running when you observe these temps?
Duramax Cooling System Evaluation
Intro to TURBODIESEL INDUCTION OVERHEATING
THERMAL FEEDBACK and INDUCTION OVERHEATING
GM Overheating
Engine Oil Cooling
FORUM for Duramax Performance
Tune Your Own GM Vehicle
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chadsalt
sc
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Idiot gauge or does it have acutal numbers??? Although even actual numbers dont mean that much on a factory guage.
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NHguy
NH
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I agree with the flush and would add use the Dodge spec red coolant. I have a 4.7 Durango and took it cross country with similar results. When the gauge went to around 7/10's the fan clutch would lock the fan to the drive. This sets up a huge air sound which gave me a scare the first time I heard it. That engine is completely capable of tugging up the hill at higher revolutions. I would be fine running past 3,000 rpms even though it sounds like it is spinning fast. I think I hit 4,000 a couple of times.
I didn't need the fan locking up except a couple of times going uphill for many miles in Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. In Utah and Idaho the temps were in the vicinity of 100 degrees so there was lots of heat to be removed!
The spark plugs are cheap and really easy to change on that engine, do them every 30,000 miles.
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Gunpilot77
Killeen, Tx
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kodiakcanuck wrote: Is this normal for Dodge?
This would be normal for any small block gasser of any make under the circumstances you describe.
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djgarcia95928
Northern, Ca. , USA
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Joined: 07/26/2002
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kodiakcanuck wrote:Hello,
Just wondering if anybody else has experienced this? When towing my Kodiak 214 with my 04 Dodge Ram Quad cab 4x4, 4.7L, the coolant temperature gauge runs between mid point and the HOT or overheat point. It only happens when towing, any other time the temp gauge runs just under half regardless of outside temperature.
It only happens under these conditions:
-outside air is hot and humid (not during cool weather)
-faster Interstate/HWY speeds (or more times the truck runs at higher RPMS)
-large or long grades.
Once the truck slows down or is idling, the temp returns to close to normal. It has never actually overheated just runs at the hotter temperature. It has happened on a number of occasions, and once I am not towing, temp is fine? Is this normal for Dodge?
Obvious items have been checked, coolant level OK, no leaks. Truck has 130,000 kms (80,000 miles) so I would think the coolant should still be good? Could it be the thermostat not opening all the way?
Only as another reference point, not directly answering your "gas engine" heating question ---My 2004 Dodge 3500 6spd. manual tranny Diesel engine runs at the mid point on the temp gauge with a max of 5 degree change when going up 6 to 7% long grade hills pulling a 12K trailer. The time of day, outside temp or weather conditions makes no difference in the engine operating temp.
Dick 
djgarcia@earthlink.net
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Turbo Diesel Dude
Green Mountain, NC
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Joined: 01/10/2005
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My '05 QC 5.9 auto only changes about 5-8* empty/loaded on any day. JMHO
charles weidman
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