Weak water pump?

BgBlDodge

BgBlDodge

Hates hippies
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May 7, 2007
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Ever since it's been getting warm I've noticed my fan kicking on almost constantly. I replaced the fan hub clutch thinking that was it but it's not. Last summer with the same bumpers my truck would sit at 185* no matter how hot it got or what I was doing unless I was on it hard for a while. Not so much now.

This morning I was turning on to the highway and jumped on it and boost came up to ~25psi and I just held it there all the way to 70mph. My water temps at the time were 185* when I started but were up to 192* when I was done. EGT's were approximately 1100*. Outside temp was probably in the 80's. Quad set on level 5. AC on regular, not max.

This afternoon I had 11-20mph winds out of the south (I was traveling due west) and it was 93* with 46% humidity. Quad on level 1. Cruising at 70mph water temps were 195* with AC on regular. Boost was around 8psi and EGT's were a steady 1050-1100*. If I had to get on it to pass someone my water temps would come down to about 188* and when I stopped they came down to 185*.

Radiator hasn't been flushed in 80k+ miles and water pump has 171k on it. T-stat is a 180* Cummins and it's a couple of years old. I'm pretty tired of my fan being on almost constantly cause it's killing my mileage and annoying.

Any ideas yall? I probably need to flush the radiator and probably clean the fins out on it.
 
Start by cleaning everything, the water pump in these trucks shouldn't realy get weak.
 
I kinda figured that water pumps didn't get weak. They either worked or they didn't. But I wasn't sure. Coolant systems are something I've never really dealt with because I've never had to.
 
It's Texas, it's fuggin hot...get used to it...my kicks on all the time as well...
 
Normally I'd agree but this is more than usual. That's why I'm asking.

Oh, and the ninja in my closet said that he wasn't responsible for kidnapping your family.
 
Robbed this from the merc site I frequent, some good info for ya Tyler, and it doesn't even require pulling the radiator! I would do this after pulling and cleaning everything though, the AC condenser and intercooler can pick up some serious crud.

Boneheaddoctor said:
Citric Acid flush - How to do it right

To start with acquire 1 kilogram or 2.2 lbs of Citric acid. Food or lab grade doesn't matter, its easily acquired on eBay or chemical supply houses...its nothing but good old Vitamin C, used in many things including soap making and is far cheaper than what the Benz dealer will charge you.

Now is a good time to locate your block mounted drain plug which will make each step of this far quicker.

Step #1 - You will need to drain and flush your cooling system to remove as much anti-freeze as possible before you start. You should flush at least three times with clear water. Running the car to operating temp each time and allowing it to cool enough to comfortibly hold the lower radiator hose or the bottom of the radiator between flushes. Make sure your heater is set to run full blast (maximum temp setting) during each and every stage so the heater core is cleaned as well as the radiator, and the engine block.

Step #2 - You need a degreaser. a non-sudsing one. Shout will work as will some dishwasher detergents (properly disolved in hot water completely first) or get Some Prestone radiator flush from the parts store. This will degrease however is too wimpy to do much more than that. How much is enough? I would use a 17 - 20 once container. Better to err or the side of too much than too little and not degrease the system enough. This is a critical step as the Citric acid will not do its job with any oil or lubricants from the antifreeze in the system. Since you are taking the time and expense to to this then it would be best to do it properly. Mix the degreasing agent of your choice and fill the radiator full of water, and run the car at least 20 minutes after it is up to operating temp. Easiest to do this with a short drive. Allow to cool down and flush several times untill the water no longer feels slippery that you are draining. Three times should be enough.

Step #3 - Mix your citric acid (its a dry powder) with 1.5 gallons of hot tap water in a clean bucket or other container. When its been completely disolved pour this mixture into your radiator adn top off with tap water.

Take a drive....of about 30 to 60 minutes duration (with heater on maximum temp) after it is up to operating temperatures, you need to get a good vigerous circulation so idling in the driveway will not cut it.

I would avoid leaving this in the radiator for several days or even over night so try to do this step when you have the time to complete it , and the first couple following flushes within a few hours at most.

When the engine has cooled down drain it well, and refill with tap water run up to operating temp for a few minutes then drain when its has cooled off. You do really want to drain with the block plug removed as well as the radiator drain or removing the lower hose. Sediment or rust flakes will not exit the system via the radiator and trust me there will be a lot. You want to do this at least 3 times and until the water coming out does not have a greasy feel to it...this is very important. If you wish you could also do the next step and disolve 1 lb or baking soda (sodium Bicarbonate) into a gallon of hot water and use this on your third flush. This will help neutralize any pockets of acid that may remain. If you do this step you still must flush at least 3 more times thouroughly.

Step #4 - Refill your cooling system with either Mercedes brand Antifreeze or Zerex G-05 which is the only suitible substitute. Mix 50/50 according to the cooling system capacity of your particular model.

Step #5 Enjoy your drives with less max tempratures in traffic and long mountain grades than you likely had previously.


This is time consuming and will take a weekend to complete....but you will only have to do this once...and it will be a better more thourough flush than any shop will achieve.
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Thanks billy. Sounds like a long weekend. When I get a weekend off I'll try that but for now I'm gonna get a new t-stat and clean the radiator and fill it with new stuff.
 
You are in the same boat I'm in, know it needs doing, just don't have the time to do it in :bang
 
Have you ever removed your radiator/intercooler & give them a good cleaning? Worked wonders for my truck. You look down in the space between the rad/intercooler & it looks clean, but you wouldn't believe how bad mine was when it was removed for cleaning.
 
No I haven't but I'm sure it needs to be done. Especially after my fuel in oil incident where I was spewing oil everywhere. I'm still degreasing stuff from that incident.
 
BgBlDodge said:
No I haven't but I'm sure it needs to be done. Especially after my fuel in oil incident where I was spewing oil everywhere. I'm still degreasing stuff from that incident.
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I bet that is it. Git er' done boy. Sorry, I had to say it.:hehe:
 
BgBlDodge said:
Wanna give me a free weekend to do it? LOL
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I know the feeling. I have pulls on Tuesday & having a hard time getting ready for them. Luckily, I am my own boss & decided to leave work at 1:00 today to do it. Then I get a call from the wife saying "are you coming over Daddy's house? It's his birthday today & we are gonna have a family thing, last minute". :bang:bang I'm going back to work.:kick:
 
I'm not sure what Citric Acid does, but on rads with nasty antifreeze, I drain and fill it with water and put a 2-3 spoonfuls of Cascade dishwasher powder in there. Run it for a day or two and flush it out.
 
I moved most of my stuff back home saturday, had a wedding that night, went furniture shopping (aka bought a new tv) today, got school and finals this week, move to my new place saturday, start my job monday.
 
Bigblue, I have noticed my temps have been up a little bit this summer. I had the vacuum pump seal let loose and covered everything in oil and my puke bottle was in the stock location till this winter. The back of my radiator is nasty. I have to change coolant soon so I'm going to pull the radiator and clean it while I have it drained. I've seen a few guys use simple green to remove the oily crud. That and a power washer seem to work good.
 
I noticed some muddy build up on the front of the radiator so I can only imagine the back of it. When I get a free weekend I'm gonna pull it and clean it and change the coolant and get a new t-stat.
 
Bring your truck to me Blue and I will do it for you. I bet I can get it over 500 hp too. :D
 
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