So I'm putting feelers out there to see what everyone's opinion is in regards to cooling fans.
I've search forums looking for an active discussion but it's mostly 6.0s and a lot from 2012 and later. So I figured I would start another thread.
I have a 2008 F350 SRW, all deleted with SCT tune and straight piped.
I tow a 37ft 5th wheel and cooling is a big concern of mine. I'm pushing max weight (if not slightly over) for the truck. I weighed the truck and camper during Easter weekend and I was pushing over 21,000 combined. 9,600 on trailer axle and 11,900 for the truck and camper.
So cooling is an issue when towing in the mountains. Normal highway I don't have any issues. It's strictly in the mountains in steep grades. When climbing, the truck usually drops down to 3rd gear while chugging around 30-35 mph and the temps start climbing. We continue to back off the throttle to maintain but it gets hard unless we go all stop. It's not unusual to see ECT around 235 and EAT about 10 above that. Which I know is the warning zone.
Does anyone have any suggestions for cooling options or towing advise? Besides getting a smaller camper or bigger truck or go around the mountain (I know someone will through those out there.)
I have the exact same issues, and I'm very interested in this. Hopefully Toren or Crazy can chime in or anyone else that has an idea. Hopefully something out there. Good question acguy
Fans do not do much unless at low speed 25mph or below normally, as they pull hot air out of the radiator rather than push cold air in through it. If it is a regular tow vehicle i would suggest low temp thermostats. Also if you want to really boost the cooling you can run an external oil cooler as well. If you are into it, a ram air hood or heat extracting louvers on the stock hood also do alot to help, high flow grills are also an option. I wouldnt go with a fan as it is not a cost effective option. Also i wouldnt go with an aftermarket radiator as they are more prone to failure than oem ones. Hope this helps
The bpd 6.4 oil cooler kit helps quite a bit if you tow hard... We have been throwing it out there as a fix for clogged oil coolers but it can help with high temps as well.
Try changing your tstat before anything though, they are very well known to fail on these trucks. And to those saying the fan does nothing.... Grab a scan tool and command the fan off while climbing a grade with a trailer then do the same with the fan on.... You WILL see a difference.........
A lot of people have stated this and mechanics I've talked with have asked me as well.
When my ECT hits 230-235 (when the fan kicks into turbo speed) my temps don't drop. He'll, the diesel is screaming so loud I don't think I would hear it anyway.
My local diesel shop tested the clutch and it kicks into turbo mode but he stated as your driving and have pressure on the blades from wind speed it may not be kicking in.
I just can't justify dropping $300 on a fan clutch if it's not bad.
Lots to think about and a lot of great info. If I remember correctly I have 192 thermostats so I will start there.
I worry about adding additional coolers cause I use the truck for towing and normal driving. Works out to be about 50/50 and with extra coolers I don't the temps to be too low when not towing.
So great advice to start at the thermostats. I'll also take a look at the stock hood louvers.
We have had great feedback in regards to the 6.4L Half Kit in these types of heavy loaded applications. In theory if we can supplement some of the cooling system load with an auxiliary engine oil cooler, we may be able to improve overall cooling system ability. Keep in mind that the stock engine oil cooler will still help to bring engine oil up to temperature, so I would not have worries about running "too low" during the unloaded driving conditions.
That said, I agree that the 235° ECT is right on the MAX of what we would want to see. There is still the possibility that the fan clutch is "lazy" and not pulling in properly/quickly enough, when commanded, which may lead to the existing condition.
The fan/cooling parameters are available thru H&S & their MCC program, so they should be accessible thru auto enginuty or similar programs;
heres what it looks like thru H&S MCC
Would also like to know your experience with Autoenginuity scanner. Have been thinking about getting one for awhile.
Just my experience, I tow a very heavy 5th wheel and have to go over mountain passes. On the worst/steepest inclines, I can still pull about 50mph. My temps reach 224 and like a switch, the fan clutch locks and my temps start to drop immediately. I would say it's obvious that you have a problem. I think you're on the right track. T-stats and clutch is where I would start.
I've heard a lot of people saying that they don't have heating problems towing heavy loads. I wish I was one of them. The steepest grade I've towed is about 8% for around 10 miles. I have a hard time maintaining 30 mph because of temps. Honestly, there are points during the climb I probably should pull over and cool down. I'm hoping to find that the fan clutch is bad or its "lazy" under power.
I'm not too sure if I will have the ability to change the settings point of when it kicks into high. I've never used it before, but I know I will be able to manually place the fan in high speed to see if it activates. But when it arrives, I'll let you know how it goes.
I feel,the same. To bad there isn't extra fan that could be installed and kick it on when needed. I'm very interested if this works and exactly what you did with this gauge. Hopefully this is the fix.
Well I received Auto Enginuity today and hooked it up to the truck.
There is a tab in the software for "Actuations" and there is a list of items that you can control. One of the items is the Fan Variable Duty Cycle which is the engine cooling fan. You can command it from 0% to 100%. Which is what I did. Unfortunately I got no response. The fan spins when engine is running but the variable speed is not there.
Looks like I'll start there.
Powerstrokearmy there is someone that says they put a switch on the blue wire that goes to the fan clutch to create ground and this turns on the fan when he wants to. He does get a silent code but temps decrease when he needs it. Anyone seen or done this? Seems straight forward and simple.
I'm revisiting this post with updates and more thoughts.
I installed a new fan clutch. I went with the plow/camper package one. I haven't had a chance to tow yet but will let everyone know how it goes.
So my new thought to the issue above, my truck is running 3.73 gears. The more I read the more I believe this maybe my problem. For the mountains, the ideal gear is 4.30. What's your opinion?
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