T800 Radiator replacement recommendations?

Discussion in 'Heavy Haul Trucking Forum' started by RogerShilling, Jul 17, 2022.

  1. RogerShilling

    RogerShilling Bobtail Member

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    Apr 13, 2017
    Westphalia, KS
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    Hello. I have a T800 with an N14 Cummins, and am needing a better radiator. I changed my OEM 3 row last winter due to it having significant external corrosion, and went with a 5 row from my local KW dealer. I was told the 5 row is the cats meow, and I would never overheat again. I'm not impressed, and feel it actually does worse at cooling than the 3 row I had.

    I haul big round bales of hay. 10' wide, 15' tall. Usually weigh 83-85k, but those of you that have done it can confirm hay pulls terrible hard. Would prob be comparable to pulling a 100k load with normal wind drag. I am set at 525/1850 with a power box on top of that, and use all the power I have probably 80% of the time. I load in eastern KS, and haul to western Kansas, which is 5.5-6 hrs. Then turn around and come home empty.

    The dealer has graciously said they will give me full credit for the 5 row, as it is not performing like it was advertised.

    What radiators do you heavy haul guys like to use? 4 row with dimple tubes? Go back to the 3 row OEM? This truck stays on the highway 99% of the time, it's not a field truck that will be getting dirt and hay in the fins. I do drive a few gravel roads (slowly) depending on where I load my hay from.

    I would like to be able to pull hard in 100-105 degree temps without overheating. KW dealer says there isn't a radiator out there that will keep up with the demands I am putting on it. I find that hard to believe. I have talked to Pittsburg power, PDI, and several radiator shops, and I get the feeling that there would be options that can keep that engine at it's operating temp of 180-200 even when pulling hard for long periods of time.

    I know it's not a thermostat issue (have checked, replaced, checked again, etc), or a water pump or belt problem. The 5 row just isn't getting the air flow thru it I need it seems, which is what I have heard others say is a weakness of the 5 row design.

    Thots?
     
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  3. Chieftains

    Chieftains Medium Load Member

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    Jul 18, 2021
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    How did the Oem handle overhearing and heavy hauls?
     
    kylefitzy Thanks this.
  4. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Jul 7, 2015
    Canuckistan
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    Strange. Most folks running the T-800 out in these parts are running 140k lbs in the summer and never hear of issues with overheating with the OEM radiator.

    All the shrouds/guards are still in place? Fan not installed backwards?
     
    Goodysnap Thanks this.
  5. RogerShilling

    RogerShilling Bobtail Member

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    Apr 13, 2017
    Westphalia, KS
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    I would get to 210-220 on hot days. Kinda hard to exactly nail down where it was, as I have since installed a digital temp gauge, and I just had the OEM gauge with the OEM radiator.

    I know how it does now to within a degree. The other day it was around 95 outside, and I got it to 216 before backing off of it.
     
  6. RogerShilling

    RogerShilling Bobtail Member

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    Apr 13, 2017
    Westphalia, KS
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    Fan is installed right. It kicks on right at 200, and works well. Since it has warmed up this summer I have gone to turning fan on manual, and making it run 100% of the time while loaded. It definitely helps to do that.

    Fan shroud is there, but I do believe there are a couple rubber strips that are missing that used to run vertically along both sides of the radiator. I know they would help prevent air from bypassing the radiator, and I need to install them and possibly do some other things to help force air thru, not let it go around. But I feel like while those things may help, they are not the root cause.
     
  7. ProfessionalNoticer

    ProfessionalNoticer Road Train Member

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    Apr 25, 2021
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    Why did you back out of it? Is your fan not working? My 3406e has a 700 file and my fan doesn't even kick on until 217. It puts out like 9 something to the crank and 7 something to the wheels with a dimpled 4 row. Also has a "high performance" CAC. It does pretty good but if I had to do it all over again I would take it to radiator shop I trust to build one custom.
     
  8. RogerShilling

    RogerShilling Bobtail Member

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    Apr 13, 2017
    Westphalia, KS
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    Fan is working fine.

    Guess I figure when Cummins says 180-200 operating temp that maybe I shouldn't be trying to see how far above that I can make it go.
     
  9. ProfessionalNoticer

    ProfessionalNoticer Road Train Member

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    Apr 25, 2021
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    Didn't realize it was so low for an N14. Find a good radiator shop and they'll set build you something proper.
     
  10. Dirk Diggler

    Dirk Diggler Light Load Member

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    Jul 15, 2022
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    Are you sure it’s not just dumping too much fuel? What the cac and air filters look like? What’s the egt’s? Also wasn’t it like 110 in Kansas a couple days ago? May just need to back out of the pedal and don’t beat your horse to death.
     
  11. J.R.

    J.R. Light Load Member

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    May 17, 2012
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    My N-14 is similar setup in 379, same also on anything over 80 degrees easier to leave fan on.

    I think the glitch is the thermostats not fully opening until 190*, and then fan on at 200*.

    Figure out how too get ecm fan on at 210 would probably help alot?
     
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