Mountains in Pete 387

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by ryguy, Mar 29, 2010.

  1. ryguy

    ryguy Bobtail Member

    5
    3
    Feb 26, 2010
    Houston, TX
    0
    Hello,

    I'm an owner and have a new driver in our 387. He's got 32 years experience and I think this may be working against us. He's used to a 379 with 575hp and is now in a 387 with 475hp. He's on his first run pulling a refer for us and is concerned about the trucks performance in the mountains. It has a 13 speed (split) tranny and has been running mountains since it came off the line in 2005.

    The biggest issue is that the engine is getting very hot and nearly overheating. The engine fan is working and he is getting as high as 40 on the turbo boost. He was in 10th gear and doing about 50 mph and down very low on the speed on the bigger hills.

    He's about to run I-70 tomorrow and I want to give him some tips for this particular truck since he just doesn't have the power he had in the 379. Is there a particualr technique with the 387 to keep it running cooler? Any tips or suggestions are very welcome input! I'm not a driver so I figured I would come to the experts! Thanks for the replies.
     
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  3. kickin chicken

    kickin chicken Road Train Member

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    Hello and Welcome to the TR:)

    Your driver needs to learn a little PATIENCE!!!!

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patience




    What does he say about coming down the hill??? Put it in low and tap the brake???
     
  4. Machine

    Machine Light Load Member

    55
    14
    Mar 6, 2010
    The Road
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    That truck has plenty of power.... Tell him to take his foot out of it.....
     
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  5. BIG RIGGER

    BIG RIGGER Road Train Member

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    Feb 25, 2010
    Fargo,ND.
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    Newer trucks run hotter than the older ones did.We used to run 180 or so now 190 to 210 is normal to the top of a hill then it will come back down to 190.
     
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  6. ryguy

    ryguy Bobtail Member

    5
    3
    Feb 26, 2010
    Houston, TX
    0
    Thanks for the replies and the welcome!

    I think we have narrowed it down. The tranny is a 9 speed converted to a 13 speed so it has a 9 speed rear end. Now that he realizes this I think he'll be able to adjust his driving style to suit the truck. Seems to me like he's trying everything to make this do what a 379 does but it just isn't going to perform the same. Hopefully he'll get a feel for it and have no further trouble.

    Any more ideas are certainly welcome.
     
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  7. Bigray

    Bigray Road Train Member

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    Nov 23, 2007
    Tampa, Florida
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    Keep the boost under / around 30, be patient eventually he'll get over / thru the hills.

    what's a 9 speed rearend? i know of 3.55 rears and other diff. geared rearends but never a 9 s/r/end.

    9 s/r/e is more of a ref. to the type of transmission.

    happy trails to your driver.
     
  8. Kabar

    Kabar Road Train Member

    1,041
    395
    Nov 5, 2008
    Pell City Al
    0
    The make and model have nothing to do with it. You have good power and the perfect tranny for the mountains.

    1st off talk to your driver and find out if he has ever driven a truck made after 2004. Trucks made before 2004 with out the EGR Tech ran cooler. 180 was normal. Now they run 190-200 and the fan doesn't come on till 210. In fact the warmer the engine the better it will run.

    2nd if you have a fan switch in the truck disconnect it. Many old timers still think you need to run that fan till the temp comes down to 180. The only thing that does is waste fuel. The truck has an auto switch and will turn the fan on at 210 and off at 195.

    3rd he needs to keep his foot out of it. Engines made after 2004 should never be taken higher then 1600 rpm's. They run best at around 1300-1400 and can be lugged down to 1100 with no problem. Every time you shift that tranny you are burning fuel. Never shift down before 1200 and up asap. 1300 and 1500 is where most shifts are done. The engine torque does not drop off at the lower rpm's.

    I hope this helps him drive better and you save some money. But be ready for an argument. Some old timers just can make the change.
     
  9. GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    I agree. It sounds like he's got the pedal mashed to the floor and if he would back off just a tad he would bring the temp down on the turbo and wouldn't loose any power.
     
  10. ryguy

    ryguy Bobtail Member

    5
    3
    Feb 26, 2010
    Houston, TX
    0
    All great advice guys! We seem to have figured it out and he did have it to the floor. He backed it off in a lower gear and went zipping up the hills just fine. I do need to get him off that fan switch though. All in all he is getting a better feel for the truck.

    Thanks again!
     
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  11. GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    Why would he be messing with the fan switch? Does he think it's going to add any pulling power? I say leave the switch alone and let the truck work for you.
     
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