Engine Overheated

[Matthew82]

New to the forum and to PSD. I've been doing some reading and searching and I REALLY like this forum. There is alot of good info and seem to have alot of good and intelligent people on here. I have a 1996 4x4 ECLB with 7.3 turbo which is my first diesel (mechanically inclined and know my way around gas engines) . I just bought this truck last weekend. I know I've only had it a short time but I bought it from a friend and I've rode in/drove this truck numerous times. I drove the truck to neighboring town Tuesday (30 miles round trip) and had no problems. Yesterday I drove to family member's house about 8 miles from my home and it over heated. Even though the temp guage doesn't work (now fixed) I know it over heated as the little nipple for the "resevior" tank hose is broken off (now fixed) was spewing steam (acted like airhose with steam instead of air). I checked the oil and no water to be found. Replaced theromstat, fixed temp guage, fixed nipple for resevior hose, and added water. Drove it maybe 2 miles down the road to my nephew's church to watch hime be baptized and the truck has NO power and litterally sounds like it's "gurggling water". I know that probably isn't the best way to describe it but it's the only way I know how to describe the sound it's making. The exhaust is also not as loud as it was before. It does blow a little white smoke. Like I said I know my way around gas engines but I know nothing about diesel engines . Sorry about the long post just wanted to get all the details in so you all would have the most information I can possibly give. Thanks in advance for any imput.

[Matthew82]

Come on guys I need help

[Matthew82]

Bump really need help!!


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[backwoodsboy]

So you added straight water, or a water/coolant mix? Either way please tell me it wasn't tap water....
My bet would be a bad water pump. How well did your friend keep up on SCA additive? Do you have any test strips handy?
Poor coolant maintenace can kill a water pump, and in severe cases lead to cavitation of the cylinder walls.

[Matthew82]

I'm not sure on SCA but he's has 2 obs 7.3 duallys and this 250 and he took care of all of them. Used distilled bottle water (2gal). And no I have no way of checking anything I'm broke. Spent well over $1000 in the last week ( all new break pads, rotors,calipers,steering gear box,psp, batteries...exc)


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[Matthew82]

Oh and I won't put tap water in anything but myself lol


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[backwoodsboy]

Originally Posted by Matthew82

Oh and I won't put tap water in anything but myself lol


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Good man. Just wanted to make sure.

Given you've replaced the t-stat, lets assume thats not the issue.
My first guess would be a bad water pump. Take the serp off and check for play in the pulley bearings.
Aside from that hows the radiator? Are the fins clean? Fins packed up with dirt won't pull air through. I know you said money's tight, but a radiator shop (or even one of those '20 minute oil change' places) can flow test a radiator for cheap. Might be worth it if it saves you two weeks of trying to track down the problem.
Take the truck for a little drive (get it warmed up), then try spinning the fan. Your going to want a little resistance. If it spins freely, you probably have a blown fan clutch.
Other than that, can't really think of anything. Combustion gasses in the coolant is basically unheard of on a 7.3, so I wouldn't worry about head gasket issues.

[Matthew82]

Thanks for the replies. I actually drove it to McDonald's this morning (2 miles) to get the family breakfast and it seemed to be getting better...I'm wondering of it just has a lot of air in the cooling system? Oh and the fins are fine not any mud caked on them or bent or anything


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[Matthew82]

Buddy of mine has a very expencive snap on code reader. He's gonna come hook it up later this afternoon and see what it'll tell us. I'll let y'all know what we find out.


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[backwoodsboy]

Could be air in the cooling system. Just re-read your first post. Is the resivoir filled with just water, or water coolant mix?