Hello there. Just the other day as I was heading off at 55 mph my 2003 Ram 1500 4.7 truck began to overheat, with the needle pegging and the "check gauges" light beaming. I've done some research and I believe the thermostat is located at the bottom of the engine at the end of the radiator hose going in. Is this correct? I have not checked it out, deciding to see if that is right. I've since topped off the radiator with a 50/50 mixture for now and are going to see if this helps. If not, I'll change out the stat.

I've read that a clutch fan could possible be the problem. Has anyone else had this occur and what where your solutions?

Thank you,

Adam

 

You are correct on the location of the thermostat, just make sure when you are changing it out to " clock" the air bleed hole to 12 o'clock. Then you will need to bleed the system. Where the top radiator joins the timing cover you will see a hex plug in the top of the housing, remove this plug to allow trapped air in the system to escape. Fill with antifreeze untill it runs out the plug, then reinstall the plug. Dont forget to teflon tape the plug before re assembly. Wind teflon tape in the direction of the threads or it will ball up and may not seal.

 

Just a bit of info... Water pump impellers have been known to " fall off" of 4.7l water pumps. They are also very suceptible to blowing head gaskets onece overheated. If you start losing coolant and exhaust smells sweet in the mornings, You probubly cooked a head gasket. Lets hope not, but it is a real common problem

 

Yeah, I know this from first hand experience lol and I know horse has had experience with at least two other 4.7s with blown heads/gaskets.

 

man this started happening to me about a few weeks ago and after i finished i had put 2 grand in my truck in repairs. to check the fan clutch get the truck up to operating temp then kill the engine if the fan keeps spinning for than 2 or 3 secs it needs change but most likely its good. i ahve the exact same truck as you and what i found after i changed the thermostat and still had the problem it was the radiator i changed it and took my old one apart it has what looks like calcium built all in the interior and it was blocked circulation. worst comes to worst u need a new radiator i have an extra one. good luck

 

one day i was driving my truck and the temp started to get hott. i cranked the heat and limped it home. had NO fluid in the system!!! i put a 50/50 mixture in. no leaks, had the truck for months and months before this, never had to put fluid in it... after that day it ran fine and i never had a problem with it since.. friggin weird dude!

 

Horse and Kamel, thanks for advice. This is my first modern vehicle I've dealt with and each problem that arises is a learning experience. You guys are a big help. I'm used to wrenching on the engine in my 71 Plymouth Road Runner.

As of right now, I've done what tuned93 did and the overheating issue seems to be at bay, however, the a/c does not blow real well now. It's a breeze, that's about it. It's had that problem since I purchased the truck. Before it worked, expect when you reach 55 mph or higher and when the temperature is 84 plus degress out. It don't believe the system needs a recharge, it should function well without one. I don't know a/c that well, since the 71 has no a/c.

Thanks for all the help,

Adam