I have a 2004 Ram 1500 4x2 (4.7 Magnum V-8)w/Towing package (46,600 miles), I bought new. The problem is that when towing my boat (small 16.5' CC) the temp gauge starts moving towards the H mark. I can turn the AC off and turn the heater on and the temp moves back to normal. While normal driving around town and freeway it runs cool at normal mark. Can't figure this one out? I had the thermostat replaced and the dealer said that they can't find anyting wrong? Never had this issue before and have towed many trailers (horse) alot heavier.

 

Are you in Overdrive on out of overdrive... you may want to alter between the two ... Its possible if your towing in OVERDRIVE then your transmission is heating up because the fluid does not circulate as fast. This tends to creat heat and it does not disapate the heat because its moving too slowly throught the trans.

You may want to look into a transmission cooler with its own seperate fan on its on T-Stat controle switch... I think B&M sells them.

You cant have your transmission too cool.

SPEED SAFE, AIR RAM

 

Are we talking about the tranny of the radiator? Air Ram has me confused.


Even though they claim the coolant is a 100K mile coolant, I don't trust it that long. I'd start with a flush of the radiator using a product for that purpose, then filling it back up with approved coolant, then put a new radiator cap on. You should be good to go after that. Also, look to see if you have coolant coming from the water pump weep hole, if so, it's time to replace that, too.

 

Shoulda bought a hemi!! (1900 miles, 70+ mph, 6000 lb trailer, not even a hiccup, although a little slow going up the mountains)

 

I believe the set up is the same in regards to the radiator, tranny cooler, etc.

Also, might want to clean out the radiator. Just use some cleaner that is safe for aluminum and try to get all the road grime and bugs outta there.

 

I replaced the radiator cap and had the thermostate replaced the service tech. said the fluid looked fine. The outside temp was 93 degrees F. the other day and sitting in traffic it started to move to the hot side. The temp gauge is running between the center mark and the H mark at the hottest what temp would that be 240?

 

Hi ftroop82.
You might want to see if there is a temp gradient between the top of your radiator and the bottom.
It should be appreciably hotter at the top than the bottom. (if I remember right)
This will check to see if your rad is OK and your coolant is circulating correctly.
Al.

 

ftroop82,

See if you can get your hands on an infared thermal temp gun. It makes the job a lot easier, and, they are incredebly (?) accurate. I would guess you have some sort of blockage to flow----the one thing that is virtually impossible to check is gpm. I would advise to dump the antifreeze, pull the radiator, and check the lower portion of the core for blockage at the lower passages. IE: all the garbage settles to the bottom. Its entirely possible all you may need is to have the core rodded, or some sort of treatment that is aluminum safe (a radiator flush) to clear up the problem. Basically, the radiator should be able to handle nearly any kind of heat load, that the engine is capable of handling in terms of horsepower required load.

 

I can't believe they sell the 4.7 in a "towing package". Does anyone else see the irony? Do they have a 3.7 with the "towing package"? lol

 

I dont know dubadub .... I had a 03 QC 4.7 wiff de tow package. I was towing a 2-3k pop up and it didnt do bad at all. In fact, pulling it over the NC / TN border .. probably some of the highest peaks around here (no jokes you Rocky Mountains guys ).. it did quite nicely. Could it pull the 5-7k travel trailer that replaced the popup ? Well, yes, but it was a pig and I was sure to cook the tranny and/or rear eventually.