Water Temp @ around 230
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 12
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Water Temp @ around 230
Hello,
I just purchased a 1997 1500 Dodge Ram 4x4. The temp raises normally to 200 but after a while of freeway driving it raises to 230 and maybe a little higher but than works its way back but still stays at around 230. Is this asign of a week water pump? Thanks for the help. What else can this be?
I just purchased a 1997 1500 Dodge Ram 4x4. The temp raises normally to 200 but after a while of freeway driving it raises to 230 and maybe a little higher but than works its way back but still stays at around 230. Is this asign of a week water pump? Thanks for the help. What else can this be?
Record Breaker
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,415
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From: Wisconsin
RE: Water Temp @ around 230
Air in your coolant system.
Stuck thermostat.
Old coolant.
Partially plugged radiator/time for a radiator flush.
^^^ All easy things to check/fix.
If the water pump is dying/gone, you will see fluid coming from the "weep hole" on the front of the pump.
And before anybody starts in with the fan, it's useless once you reach 35mph
Stuck thermostat.
Old coolant.
Partially plugged radiator/time for a radiator flush.
^^^ All easy things to check/fix.
If the water pump is dying/gone, you will see fluid coming from the "weep hole" on the front of the pump.
And before anybody starts in with the fan, it's useless once you reach 35mph
Record Breaker
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Water Temp @ around 230
Could be a few things. Or even a combo of a few things.
I'd check the integrity of the coolant first. If it's rusty, there could be some flakes running through the system. Any small piece can jam a thermostat partially open or closed. There's also the possibilty of a restriction somewhere. Sometimes people add that Bar's Leak , and never follow the directions for it. Now it has coagulated somewhere along the way. Seen it about a dozen times in the past ten years.
A clogged radiator can duplicate your symptom. If there is an evaporator in front, that's even more potential air blockage. You're thermostat may be working, but there's not enough air flow to disipate the additional heat. You can buy a foam spray cleaner for the fins. Rinse in HOT water if you have that luxury. Makes a MAJOR difference if you have clogs.
Make sure your fan clutch is working. At 230 degrees, you BETTER be hearing that cooling fan grabbin some serious air......lol.
Worn belt,... slippage?
I am not a pro on gas water pumps. It would be pretty hard to constrict the flow on a CTD water pump.
Always could be a water pump though.
I gave ya all I could think of..... there will be more ideas along the way. Stay strong!.........lol. j/k.
You'll figure it out.
Anyway, good luck.
I'd check the integrity of the coolant first. If it's rusty, there could be some flakes running through the system. Any small piece can jam a thermostat partially open or closed. There's also the possibilty of a restriction somewhere. Sometimes people add that Bar's Leak , and never follow the directions for it. Now it has coagulated somewhere along the way. Seen it about a dozen times in the past ten years.
A clogged radiator can duplicate your symptom. If there is an evaporator in front, that's even more potential air blockage. You're thermostat may be working, but there's not enough air flow to disipate the additional heat. You can buy a foam spray cleaner for the fins. Rinse in HOT water if you have that luxury. Makes a MAJOR difference if you have clogs.
Make sure your fan clutch is working. At 230 degrees, you BETTER be hearing that cooling fan grabbin some serious air......lol.
Worn belt,... slippage?
I am not a pro on gas water pumps. It would be pretty hard to constrict the flow on a CTD water pump.
Always could be a water pump though.
I gave ya all I could think of..... there will be more ideas along the way. Stay strong!.........lol. j/k.
You'll figure it out.
Anyway, good luck.
Rookie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
RE: Water Temp @ around 230
Hey, just a thought but check your oil. Ex girlfriend overheated a car in the winter and wanted me to replace the "stuck thermostat". I found it was just 4 quarts low on the lube. Then I got a new ride and a new girl. Problems solved.
Don't overlook the easy stuff. It could still be any of the other things the other guys mentioned, but don't miss the obvious.
Don't overlook the easy stuff. It could still be any of the other things the other guys mentioned, but don't miss the obvious.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
RE: Water Temp @ around 230
Wow that was fast!! Thanks guys for all the info. I am probably going to replace the thermostat and flush the coolant out of the block and radiator. I did check the coolant level and the coolant did not look that bad but you never know. Thanks for the help I'll keep you guys posted on what I find.
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2006
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From:
RE: Water Temp @ around 230
Im not disagreeing with you Burning.But On my truck my water pump was dead and didnt leak a drop.Bearing was worn and the impeller was eroded away.Just a thought.In some cases they will not leak out of the weep hole.Definatly check all the small things listed above.My truck was running 210 all the time,Then 220 when under load.I did everything else mentioned.Finally I changed out the pump and saw the impellers were just about gone.Mine didnt leak though.That is why I didnt think it was the pump.
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Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 648
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From: Rose Hill, KS
RE: Water Temp @ around 230
Not to jack the thread here but what is everyones running temp on their truck? I have a 180 t stat but when I run it home from school, which is about 180 miles it never gets even to the middle of the "normal" range. Just curious how hot everyone else is running.