What the hell would cause the engine and tranny temps to "overheat"?

I don't ever let them actually overheat but there have been a few times in the past few weeks where I have had to pull over for a few minutes.

Could it be the fan clutch or the fan belt slipping? Does the '01 have a stock trans cooler?

Now that I think about it, could hot intake air cause the radiator (?trans cooler?)to be less effective because of its location behind the intercooler?

It is going to start getting really hot here in southern Arizona real soon. I need to figure this out ASAP.
Thanks in advance for any input,
Mike

 

do you have a '53' block???

 

Don't know...where do I look?

 

first of all. . .look at the block right behind the exhaust manifold, if you see discoloration or smell coolant, then you'll realy know, however if you crawl under your truck and look at the front of the engine just above the oil pan and see the number '53' in two inch numbers then you'll know. the number can be on either side of the block. the last pic is one that had a massive crack, but was repaired.

 

I don't see a 53 or any leaking...

All I see is a 9A3, I thinkthats what it is...

 

the next thing I can think of would be your radiator might have some corossion blocking the passages. . .when was the last time you changed the coolant. also if you have alot of gunk come out you might need to have the radiator rodded out.

 

Would that also cause the tranny to overheat?
I will flush the radiator this weekend, thanks

 

If the radiator is stopped up, the transmisson lines cool through the radiator. low or no water flow will cause both to heat up.

 

pfft ... I couldn't tell you the last time I changed my radiator fliud.

How do you dispose of thatold coolantagain? I'll admit that back in the day it would just hit the drain, but I'm sure that's no longer appropriate now a days huh?

 

I know NAPA, Autozone, Pep Boy's, o'riley and others will take it.