I "possibly" have a problem with my diesel truck

[Jeff396]

I \"possibly\" have a problem with my diesel truck

Yesterday I drained the coolant on my '97 Ford Powerstroke 7.3 and filled it with water and some flush. You're supposed to run the engine for 3 to 6 hours that way. While running the truck to get it up to temp and water flowing through the top hose I noticed the Engine Temp light was on. I'm not exactly sure when it came on as it's directly behind the steering wheel. The temp guage shows that the engine is running fine. I then let the truck sit for a couple of hours and started it up again and viola, the light went out......but came on again after a few miles of driving.

Questions:

Does anyone know if this light is just a back up for the guage or does it monitor something completely different? The crappy little manual in the glove box doesn't even metion this light.

Is it possible that it just doesn't like all water in the system?

We're leaving on a 10 day vacation next Friday and I'd like to get this resolved as soon as possible. I've posted to two different diesel pages but seem to be getting the equivilant of message board blank stares.

Thanks!

Jeff

 

[RobS]

Re: I \"possibly\" have a problem with my diesel truck

Jeff, have you checked the coolant level since filling it? Often there are air pockets that burp out as it runs a bit. That will effectively lower the coolant level. Not sure if yours has a level sensor but if so, that could be triggering the light even though the level is high enough to maintain decent cooling.

Sure do wish I had that engine in my 97. I've got the 460... and a lot more open/close cycles on my fuel filler doors than you /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Jeff396]

Re: I \"possibly\" have a problem with my diesel truck

Hey Rob,

Well, I've warmed the truck up and let it cool down twice and the fluid level is right at the upper end of the normal range in the tank. This truck has no radiator cap....the overflow tank is the only method of filling the system. One thing I find interesting is that after cooling the upper radiator hose is pretty much empty of liquid. I guess that's normal as most of it sits higher than the upper normal level in the tank.

Yeah, I'm really glad I went the extra buck for the diesel...though I really didn't need it for hauling. I was especially glad when the fuel prices approached $2.00 a few years back. I get 18 or so mpg around town during all my kid hauling duties. I don't think I get a whole bunch more highway as the truck is equipped with the 4:11 gear in the rear. A real stump puller! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Jeff

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: I \"possibly\" have a problem with my diesel truck

I'm with Rob. YOu can warm it up and cool it down all you want but if you have air trapped you're not going to purge it that way. How much did you add back in? You have to add it back very slowly. I always measure how much I put back in so I know I have it all back in.

 

[Jeff396]

Re: I \"possibly\" have a problem with my diesel truck

I didn't keep track of how much I added as I am only at the flush stage. I used one of those tee's in the heater hose things and filled the system while the upper radiator hose was off and the tank cap was off. Once it began to come out of the upper radiator I attached that and kept going until the tank was full.

Well, here's what happened this morning. I drove my son 2 miles to school and the light did not come on. After walking him into the school I came out and started the truck and the light was on. I drove home but at one point the warning light started to flicker and went out for a moment or two. Then it came on again and stayed on the remainder of the trip home.

Here's what I have done this morning.

I found out that the sender that makes this light go on is below the alternator. I unscrewed the sender almost all the way and opened the radiator cap to be sure there was liquid and not air behind it. I suppose there could have been air but now there's liquid. We'll see how that works.

I also unplugged fuse #9 under the hood to reset the codes and the truck is now sitting for a couple of hours at which time I will try it again. This was suggested on another board though I think it's unlikely.

At this point if the above doesn't work I think my next step is to replace the sender. Maybe while the air was trying to purge it got excessively hot and ruined it. Other than that I'm out of ideas.

Jeff

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: I \"possibly\" have a problem with my diesel truck

Jeff,

I'd go ahead and flush it. Then look in the manual. I can't remember exactly what that year motor held. Add in the coolant, water, and FW15. If you get the right amount back in then you know to keep looking for the problem. If the light doesn't come on then you know what your problem was.

The 7.3 was/is terrible for getting air pockets if you put water/coolant back in too fast.

 

[Jeff396]

Re: I \"possibly\" have a problem with my diesel truck

Thanks, that's what I will do if the light comes on again this afternoon. My owners manual says it should hold 22 quarts. Funny thing is I got at least 24 quarts out and that's not counting about a quart I spilled when I removed the block plug behind the starter and I'm sure there must be a bit more left in there somewhere. The manual also calls for 4 pints of the product formerly known as FW15 then FW16 and now VC8. I still need to get some of the test strips as in the past I would just add 8 oz at the 15k mile marks. I was told they carried them an NAPA but they had no idea what I was talking about.

I found this site during all this which seems to be a pretty good source for parts.

http://www.shopdiesel.com/index.cfm/action/home.htm

I'm tellin' you, I would rather replace a clutch than work on a cooling system!!!! It always seems to turn out like this./forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Jeff

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: I \"possibly\" have a problem with my diesel truck

I'm tellin' you, I would rather replace a clutch than work on a cooling system!!!! It always seems to turn out like this

AMEN /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[RobS]

Re: I \"possibly\" have a problem with my diesel truck

<font color="blue"> I'm tellin' you, I would rather replace a clutch than work on a cooling system!!!! It always seems to turn out like this
</font>

Well, have I got a deal for you two... I've had this sinking feeling lately about the clutch in my truck. If you want some relief from all your coolant system woes, feel free to stop by and give me a hand. And yes, it's 4WD too /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[bgott]

Re: I \"possibly\" have a problem with my diesel truck

I haven't worked on one of those for five years and I don't remember any particular problem burping the air out of one, but, a lot of times when you have air problems you can jack the front of the truck or car up and loosen the top radiator hose to let the air out. Air ends up in the highest part of the system. Some cars have bleeders in the thermostat housing or a heater hose to bleed the air because the engine is higher than the radiator.