Running hot.
 

I have a 1996 ram 2500 v10 that seems to run good when its normal weather here in Ca. But as soon as it heats up. get stuck in traffic or tow something the engine gets warm like in the 210 to 230 range. upon researching on the web, people are saying that's not too hot, but it makes me very nervous and id like to control it and drop it down. The engine is about 4yrs old, Replaced the original with a Jasper engine. Radiator is about 2 yrs old. Any suggestions on what I can do to get it to run at a not so hot temp, Im getting a travel trailer at end of year so Id like to get this done to a point where I dont have to worry every time we hit the road. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

What does the coolant and such look like? Was the thermostat replaced when the engine was? If not, do it now. (and maybe do it anyway with a good quality stat.....) Cooling system full? Gauge not lying to you? :D May wanna plug in with a scanner, and see what the PCM thinks temp really is....

Welcome to DF!

Fan shroud in place? Do you hear the roar of the fan when you first start it? If not the fan clutch may be bad.

if the fan is sucking air, and there are no coolant leaks, your thermostat may be bad.

Might be good to drain the radiator, fill with water and the napa descaler, and run it for 30 mins. Then fill with coolant to make a 60/40 mix (Water/coolant). I run a bit more water than coolant in the summer months. I also added the royal purple additive and I never get over 180. In the winter, I hardly even get to 160.

I think it might be your coolant. 4 years is a while.

ya ive got an 180 stat in mine and it usually is always less then 180 all the time unless im climbing, then itll get close to 180 but my truck runs pretty cool and i rarely add coolant ever.

I don't hear any roar until I put it in drive and go. I hear it for about 10 seconds and it disappears. I have replaced the clutch, thermostat, radiator over the past 3 years. We are in the middle of a heat spell and I'm in the Sierra foothills on vacation and it gets to about 220 going up an incline with ac on. Soon as I let off the gas it drops to about 190 and will fluctuate between 180 to 200. I can watch the gauge move while driving.

That is perfectly normal for us here. Really not liking the heat wave like you. I have pushed up to the 260F mark on HWY 50 near the fresh pond grade. Just keep eye on coolant reservoir to keep good level. I use the 50/50 premix.

All you guys overheating and i couldn't get my truck up to 200 towing a 78 f-150 on a 14k trailer up fancy gap.....

It's not overheating BC temp immediately drops when the load is gone....

You have a Class A? If not you're not legal to tow 14K. Only up to 10K. Plus, your 2% gap at 15 mph shouldn't do anything. Lol

It was 5 % at 50mph for seven miles! Lol.


It's rated for 14k gross. I was only towing just under 10k. Right at the cusp for a 2500 V8.