Well here is how today has gone. This morning, I went and got the stuff to
flush my cooling system and also got a new radiator cap. When I got home I
started the radiator draining while I removed the upper and lower fan
shrouds. Once these were removed, I sprayed out the radiator from the
backside the best I could, however, I did not remove the electric fan so I
sprayed around and through that the best I could. Next I removed the 195
t-stat and then ran lots of fresh cold water through the system with the
t-stat out and the radiator drain open. I then put the Robert Shaw 180
t-stat back in that I had removed about a week or so ago. I put the fan
shrouds back together, and then did a chemical flush on the system. After
that was complete, I did a back flush to make sure that everything was well
cleaned out (I know, probably overkill). I then filled the system with
fresh 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and water, added a new radiator cap, and then
finished by driving it about 5 miles. When I got back, I bled any air that
was in the system, topped off the coolant, and then drove it about 25 miles.
I came home, ate lunch, and then went for a 100-mile drive to fully test it.
The first 85 miles or so was completely highway miles at about 70-75 mph and
the engine seemed to run perfect. The outside temp here is around 95
degrees with relatively high humidity. For the most part it ran around
195-205. Once I exited the highway and was stopped at a stoplight I noticed
that the temp started to rise to around 240 or so. I turned off the A/C and
turned on the heat. That seemed to help. The temp came back down around
210. I turned the A/C back on and the temp rose once again. I then left
the heater on for another few miles while driving through neighborhoods and
then temp would rise again. This time I turned the A/C back on and the temp
dropped, but not by much (still above 210). I turned the heat on one last
time and there was no heat coming from the system and the temp didn't
fluctuate. When I pulled in my driveway, I turned the A/C back on and set
there for a couple of minutes and the temp just stayed right around 240.
Any ideas? None of the hoses seem to have collapsed. I can't find any
leaks, however when the engine cools off and I open the radiator cap, it
appears that I need to add more coolant. . Is that normal, or should it be
full to the cap? What should I try next?
Thanks for all your help,
Jason
'00 Sport Quad 4.7L 4x4 3.55, Autolite 3923's, BFG AT T/A,
IAT Adjuster, 360° Air Intakez, Robert Shaw 180° thermostat,
Line-X sprayed bed and nerf bars, Roll-n-Lock tonneau
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