My truck was overheating the other day so I replaced the thermostat (180*) and the waterpump. The truck hasn't overheated since, but the temp gets to around 210. The upper hose is hot but the lower is cool. The radiator is hot near the upper hose and cools as you go towards the lower hose. What's going on with my truck?

 

sounds normal to me. maybe flush the radiator.

 

If it's running at 210 degrees the radiator should not be cool any where. Time for good cleaning or replacement.

 

If it's running 210 and the radiator is cool on the return end check the flow. If it isn't flowing well, flush the radiator with Prestone superflush, twice. If it still isn't flowing well, check and replace the t-stat (yes, even new ones can be junk, it's a $7 dollar part for crying out loud), then blame the water pump.

If it is flowing well, try replacing the coolant temp sending unit. It's on the manifold just to the left of the t-stat housing. It goes straight down into the manifold just like the t stat. The larger sensor just above it is the IAT.

 

I ordered a new rad on ebay for $100 shipped. I'm just going to replace it and flush the whole system. One question... when I flush, should I use distilled, or is tap ok? I use the 50/50 premix antifreeze, but the flush has to be mixed with water. Thanks.

BTW, the cheapest radiators at autozone or advance are $200 - $300. Ebay will cut your costs 1/2 to 2/3 for this job if you can wait a day or two

 

Flush with tap water is ok.

 

You get what you pay for.

 

Does your truck run at a normal temp when driving it, or does it over heat when you let it idle? If it overheats at idle then it more than likley to be blamed on the fan clutch

 

Actually it gets hot while driving on the highway. I sprayed some water through the radiator with the hose. That must have cleared out some of the blockage. Also, changing the pump and thermostat must have helped because I drove it about 150 miles on I80 yesterday. It got to about 230, but didn't get hotter.

Around town it stays close to 210. Same while idling.

As far as getting what I pay for, I'm pretty sure if the radiator doesn't leak, it will work exactly the same as any plastic end cap radiator from Autozone, but it cost $200 less.