Is it normal for the engine to heat up after you shut the truck off? Like when running into the store, when i start the truck, the temp gauge is really high almost in the red. Should i worry or is this normal?

 

yes I think u should worry. Make check ur coolant for any leaks? Or ur oil? Or any leaks underneath in general?

 

Have your system pressure tested to see if there are leaks and also swap in a different radiator cap. A rise in temp is normal as the water pump is no longer circulating the coolant after engine shutdown but you shouldn't be at redline.

 

Drop,

How long is the vechicle sitting for the tempature to rise?

With a racing car "heat-sink" is very normal.

 

like when i stop for gas, the temp raise. If i let it sit for 15 min, it is damn near close to redline. I have already pressured checked it at work, no problems found, oil and coolant are normal color and not mixed. I don't want to pop a head gasket becuase of it.

 

Is your fan "kicking" on? If your engine is getting that warm, then your electric fan should turning on.

 

how modified is the engine?

 

That is definately not normal.

Check:

1) Coolant level
2) make sure coolant is fresh (I would just change)
3) system holds pressure
4) thermostat opens correctly (I would just replace anyway)
5) clutch on the fan is ok and blades are not cracked or broken
6) front of radiator is clean and free of debris

It could be the water pump but not likely.
Seems more like it would be either thermostat or fan clutch.
Good luck with it.

 

Can also be caused be air bubble trapped in system. Have you recently serviced cooling?

 

just replaced thermo and changed coolant. More when i run tests at work on monday

 

Well, let me just say that you're not the only one with this problem.

Through out the entire year, this problem has been present for me, even in now season, when it's cooler than normal here.

But I don't concern myself with it anymore. If it wants to over heat, fine, I'll let the stupid thing over heat.

Several times I posted threads about this but there was really no one with suggestions.........

 

First off: No, it is is not normal for an engine to behave like this.

Personally, I think you have a leaking head gasket. Not bad enough to cause the engine to run poorly, or not at all, but it is leaking enough to cause it to over heat.

Here's a question or two for you. If you drive it for a while until if reaches normal operating temperature, then shut it off for 15 minutes or so, then start it back up, does it idle roughly for a bit? Does it run warmer than normal when driving up an extended incline? If so, then I can say without a doubt that the head gasket needs to be replaced.

My .04 (Inflation)
G

 

I don't know about fellow member, but for myself, the answer is NO.

If I do as you say, when I start it back up, it run just as fine as it would in any other occassion.

 

Doesn't make sense that it would get that hot when you shut it off. I'm just throwing a suggestion out, but a huge air bubble perhaps? You say you replaced the fluid and thermostat just lately, was that before the problem began? Your coolant temp will heat up about 10-20 degrees when you shut your car down, as someone else stated, b/c it's not longer being pumped through the radiator. But such extremes are abnormal!

 

Yes, indeed; very abnormal.

I have no idea what it can be...

 

To add, try checking or replacing your radiator cap.

 

How do you go by "checking" it?

 

With one of these. Or, you could spend the $8 and replace it and see if that helps.

I'll try to dig up some more info and ways to help you figure out your problem, King.

Peace.
G

 

I'll pick the latter....... LOL! (by the way, is that the dealer's price?)

Indeed, DR. Z. Any info you can provide would be mostly appreciated.

KING

 

The price I threw out there is typical for a thermostat and radiator cap from a local auto parts store. The brand being one of the most popular is Stant. Now that I think about this, I think I remember someone mentioning that the original 195* T-Stat caused their engine to do something similar to what you are experiencing. Stant makes a 180* model, which is what they used to cure their problem.

I do not know what year your truck is, but you can go here to look up a price on a Stant T-Stat for your truck. You can browse by make, model and year. Then, once you input that data, you'll see the Cooling/Heating Category, choose that, then you can choose the 180* T-STat link.

You might want to get a new radiator cap while you're at it.

Hope this helps.
Galen