Over Heating at high altitude .... Could it be the the fan clutch

[mjbrox]

I was out on some trails near Keystone and had no issues.

On the way hope there is a section of highway that is a 7% and is damn near 11k feet high.

I noticed a cloud of steam/smoke in my rear view mirror, so I pulled over and hooked up the OBD2 computer.

It said I was at 232. I cut it back on with the AC off and heat running and it dropped to 225.

I decided to finish the hill and it dropped to 225.

Once I crested the hill and was coming down, it dropped back into the 180s

The dash gauge never budged.

 

[KyleT]

I blew a hose on vail pass. no signs of overheating and no issues with the fan clutch. never had another issue after that with new hoses. was wierd.

was wierd. I think the tstat couldnt flow enough at higher rpm.

a 180 thermostat and a replacement fan clutch have since been put on, and never saw it ever have an issue.

 

[mjbrox]

Ummmm

I guess changing the Tstat is a no brainer.

I will double check every inch of coolant hose

 

[Tugela]

How old is your radiator? I replaced mine last year and my scangauge has shown consistently cool temps every since - even when wheeling at 6,000' (which is lower than your altitude, but something for a point of reference).

 

[mjbrox]

How old is your radiator? I replaced mine last year and my scangauge has shown consistently cool temps every since - even when wheeling at 6,000' (which is lower than your altitude, but something for a point of reference).

I dont know how old it is,

Over the winter I was getting insufficient coolant temp codes.

 

[mick968]

Wow I thought someone had dug up one of my old post a few years ago (out in Ouray) my D1 was doing the same thing (overheating at altitude)(or so the gauge was giving impression) 2 seperate days it did it at the exact spot (which was a steady uphill climb) that was the first time since I have owned it that the gauge rose above the 1/3 mark (actually thought the gauge didn't work) checked everything radiator fine all fans working I did eventually change out the thermostat but believe it was the sending unit so last year out in Moab (after all day in low gear,heavy duty off roading) it runs cool all day in hot desert temps I unlock everything pull out on highway to get back to town and driving at highway speeds (65 ish) the gauge starts to erratically climb I am on a mission to get to the brewery so it was going to have to blow up before I would stop so gauge is pegged (hot) by time I get there and turn off opened up the hood expecting to see stuff spewing everywhere nothing started it up again and gauge right the the 1/3 mark anyway moral to story it might be gauge or sending unit probably more scientific way to validate rather than driving (and ignoring) that temp. gauge is in the red.

 

[p m]

I dont know how old it is,

Over the winter I was getting insufficient coolant temp codes.

Likely thermostat stuck open. Better this way that other way around, but by itself it is no guarantee of running cool.

 

[Flyfish]

Last year out in Moab (after all day in low gear,heavy duty off roading) it runs cool all day in hot desert temps I unlock everything pull out on highway to get back to town and driving at highway speeds (65 ish) the gauge starts to erratically climb I am on a mission to get to the brewery so it was going to have to blow up before I would stop so gauge is pegged (hot) by time I get there and turn off opened up the hood expecting to see stuff spewing everywhere nothing started it up again and gauge right the the 1/3 mark......

So the moral to story is......
Everything is better when you get to the bar?!

 

[mick968]

agreed why I didn't stop