D13 engine temp question

[Sculptor]

On 6/25/2021 at 5:19 AM, Jaydrvr said:

Very interesting! Good to know. Jay

Two days ago I had the chance to chat with the service manager at the dealership. He said the 210 running temp is absolutely normal.  This confirms many comments above.

He further said the viscous clutch has a special oil that, when the engine hits a certain temperature it becomes hard, no longer viscous.  That’s a detail I didn’t know.  He seemed unsure but guessed the temp would be 225 or so.  His description matched comments above, I should be able to feel the fan kick on, and will notice a decrease in speed/power.

This info is old news to most of you, but I, for one, learned some stuff.  Thanks guys.

[Jaydrvr]

1 hour ago, Sculptor said:

Two days ago I had the chance to chat with the service manager at the dealership. He said the 210 running temp is absolutely normal.  This confirms many comments above.

He further said the viscous clutch has a special oil that, when the engine hits a certain temperature it becomes hard, no longer viscous.  That’s a detail I didn’t know.  He seemed unsure but guessed the temp would be 225 or so.  His description matched comments above, I should be able to feel the fan kick on, and will notice a decrease in speed/power.

This info is old news to most of you, but I, for one, learned some stuff.  Thanks guys.

That's very interesting! I had a viscous clutch on my old F-350 decades ago, but I had no idea they could possibly be hiding out in an HDT. I've only seen the air de-actuated type of clutch in the few big trucks I've owned or used. Okay, I've learned my new thing for today, I'm good until tomorrow..

Thanks for the update!

Jay

[Tahoe Shark]

Very interesting thread. I had no idea these trucks could run that hot. Thanks for all the info.

[mr. cob]

On 6/16/2021 at 4:02 PM, Sculptor said:

The thought just occurred to me the noise I always assumed was the turbo kicking in, might have been the fan?  The turbo gauge is usually toward the low side at slow speed, maybe 60 with normal acceleration.
it’s loud enough to hear but would make no difference to the conversation.

No I don’t have a manual switch.  I’ve never had the truck up near the 210 f mark, until yesterday that is.   I have read others talk about this but I’ve never noticed the sound of it.  You guys are being very helpful and thanks.  

side note, just did a short grocery run, the temp stayed at 180 and never fluctuated.  But that was bobtail. And it’s down about 90 f today.  Elevation in Rapid City is 3000+ if that matters.

Howdy Kevin,

As others have said the temps your talking about should not be of any concern and are normal for the condition's you have described.  The sound your turbo makes is more of a whistle or whine that will increase as boost rises, the fan will make more of rushing noise that stays about the same until it kicks off.

If you don't have a full actual gauge setup, I suggest a product called a "SCAN GAUGE"

https://www.amazon.com/stores/ScanGauge/page/832A6739-284D-4572-B658-9CB5BFCA1450?ref_=ast_bln

This is EASY to install and will display ANY information your ECM is programed to monitor WAY more the your stock factory gauge setup.  I have 23 real gauges in my truck but still use the scan gauge to display things like horse power being used, real time fuel mileage, average fuel mileage and boost as my boost gauge is hard to see with the steering wheel.  you can easily change the four items displayed on the gauge to other items your ECM monitors, just push a button for the other items stop when you get the one you want.  I would suggest using the gauge to display engine oil temperature, if it goes up higher then the water temperature SHUT DOWN, they usually move pretty much together with the water temp being the higher of the two.  You can't have to much information when it comes to driving one of these beasts.

Can't resist, this is what a my truck dash looks like. 😁  This was taken the day I bought the truck, the Scan Gauge, now sits on the right hand end of the top row of gauges.

Dave

 

 

[Brad NSW]

We pull some vicious grades out west 7-10 degree long climbs/downgrades.  Temps quickly rise in our Freightliner to 210-215, then the fan kicks in and they drop amazingly fast to 180-185.  Fan shuts off, temps climb and repeat every 5-10 minutes depending on grade.  Worst was Hwy 22 out of Jackson, WY, into Idaho.  Sign said 10 miles/10 degree grade and our DD15 pulled our 27K 5er over it at 40-45, repeating the above engage/disengage cycle about 20 times.  That sure beat our Dodge, chugging along at 25MPH in 3rd gear (no passing lanes) so there were a bunch of PO'd folks following us then!

[Sculptor]

5 hours ago, Brad NSW said:

We pull some vicious grades out west 7-10 degree long climbs/downgrades.  Temps quickly rise in our Freightliner to 210-215, then the fan kicks in and they drop amazingly fast to 180-185.  Fan shuts off, temps climb and repeat every 5-10 minutes depending on grade.  Worst was Hwy 22 out of Jackson, WY, into Idaho.  Sign said 10 miles/10 degree grade and our DD15 pulled our 27K 5er over it at 40-45, repeating the above engage/disengage cycle about 20 times.  That sure beat our Dodge, chugging along at 25MPH in 3rd gear (no passing lanes) so there were a bunch of PO'd folks following us then!

That’s very interesting, since we will be in Pocatello in a few days.  Good to know about that grade in advance!

[Brad NSW]

How did it go on HWY 22 to Jackson?

 

[Sculptor]

8 hours ago, Brad NSW said:

How did it go on HWY 22 to Jackson?

 

We haven’t been to Jackson yet.  We have been at a casino/campground in Ft. Hall.  It’s not bad, could be better.  As soon as we got here, I had to call around for an RV tech and to find a cable for our bedroom slide.  Very few mobile tech options, though we did find a highly recommended guy, he was booked into this week.  Fortunately I found the exact cable in Idaho Falls.  With some long distance coaching from an RV tech friend, my DW and I got it fixed.

So we have been into Idaho Falls twice, and Twin Falls once, to see the falls in both places.  I didn’t get to see the Evel Knievel site. No biggie.  Pocatello a couple of times.  Oh, and the Potato Museum in Blackfoot.  🙂
Jackson and Craters of the Moon are still on our list to visit.  

[Brad NSW]

Love that area!  For the last 5 years I elk hunted out of a wonderful campground, just South of Victor Idaho.  Wonderful, large spots and very cheap.  Saw lots of moose up close, one 30yds from our trailer.  Elk every year, within 50yds but the bow shot never materialized.  Campgrounds are: Mike Harris and the other one is 3 miles south.  Here are photos from each.

[Sculptor]

6 hours ago, Brad NSW said:

Love that area!  For the last 5 years I elk hunted out of a wonderful campground, just South of Victor Idaho.  Wonderful, large spots and very cheap.  Saw lots of moose up close, one 30yds from our trailer.  Elk every year, within 50yds but the bow shot never materialized.  Campgrounds are: Mike Harris and the other one is 3 miles south.  Here are photos from each.

Thanks for the info!  I looked them up, we aren’t set up for boondocking or rustic camping.  If we were, I might try them.  We are currently “circling” the outer Yellowstone vicinity.  Our next stop is Virginia City, MT then on to Cody, WY.  I have a short work camping gig lined up, but it doesn’t start until 9-9. This will be my first experience.
My hunting experience is limited to northern Michigan deer.  But it has been at least 10 years, and I miss it.  No freezer space now anyway. 🙂

[bobsallyh]

Brad NSW, are they "reservation only"? We drove thru Mike Harris a couple of years ago and don't remember.