Kw w900l cat c15 overheating

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by EWV, Jun 12, 2017.

  1. EWV

    EWV Light Load Member

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    Hi anyone able to share suggestions. ..
    I have a 2006 kw w900l car c15 acert.
    She's been running a bit hotter than normal ..marginally.
    Today the temp went up to 225 and the warning lights n buzzers went off on fairly flat roads.
    Outside temp was 36 but we run this route all the time.

    History
    - Had power put up from 475 to 550hp. I feel it has been running slightly warm since then

    - there's a hose p/s that has a slight coolant leak at each end...clips over tightened by mechanic and I wasn't going to drain system to redo as only a littke leak...nothing that requires coolant to be added

    - so after today's probs went straight to a shop. They said the following.....2 pipes from thermostats were same temperature indicating they r ok......no leak ftom tell tale hole on water pump so that ok.
    They pressure cleaned the radiator and said it was full (even tho I paid for a full check n clean 3 mths ago)

    - they say it's fixed test drive ok. Get on highway under load (currently abut 60000lbs gross) and temp gauge is back up to 200 and the fan on manual is not bringing it down at all

    I've read so many theories on line. Regardless of them saying thermostats and pump r ok are these still highly likely as to my problem?

    - could a bad air compressor be at fault?


    Sorry it's long
    Thanks in advance
     
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  3. GrapeApe

    GrapeApe Road Train Member

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    Do you know if it's a 3 or 4 row radiator? I don't know about KW's, but Pete's usually run a 3 row radiator up to 475 HP, higher HP runs a 4 row. If you had a factory uprate, 550 is still the same engine rating family, but you may not have a good enough radiator for 550 HP. Typically, if the radiator was replaced, replacements are all 4 row unless you bought an OEM one from the VIN.

    If you radiator is OK, thermostats are a possibility, I'd use a temp gun on the outlet and you will be able to see where they open. They may be opening fully to equalize the temps in and out, but they may be opening late.

    Also verify your temp with a temp gun on the T-stat housing, 200 is not bad, If I remember right, they are 195* T-stats in Acerts. It's possible that you have a sensor issue showing higher a higher temp that it really is. On you truck, you only have the 1 sensor that gives the same signal for the gauge that the ECM reads. It's always good to verify that it's giving a correct reading. The sensor is on the front of the T-stat housing behind the accessory bracket and a pain in the butt to get at on an Acert.
     
    lwlevens, pushbroom and EWV Thank this.
  4. EWV

    EWV Light Load Member

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    Mar 22, 2016
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    I'm. Not sure what the radiator but I remember when I put it in for a full system check and clean about 4 months ago the guy told me it was not the original and was heavier duty type and was in very good condition so hopefully it is the 4 that u mentioned but I will get it checked.
    Thanks for the other info I will get the guys to do that and check it.
     
  5. baha

    baha Road Train Member

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    +You may have to swing the A/C con. out of the way to get to your air to air cooler to ck. for dirt covering front of air cooler then pul air cooler to see how much dirt is covering ft. side of rad. if all is clean pulling rad. to have it cleaned on inside at a rad. shop or replaced, some replacement rad, are not made to last as long as the ones that came on them new?
     
    EWV and kemosabi49 Thank this.
  6. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I had to do this on a truck I drove. Didn't believe the amount of crap that came out.
     
    EWV Thanks this.
  7. Chipperrr

    Chipperrr Light Load Member

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    Nov 27, 2018
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    Is 225 degrees overheating the engine?
     
  8. Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

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    Not quite. It getting up there where theres an issue or you would question why it's that warm. Not alarming and in panic mode yet. Engine fan on is 217*F. Are we talking coolant temp? Oil temp may be considered normal considering operating conditions.

    It is unlikely that 225 would cause permanent damage or a failure to any engine.
     
  9. RustyBolt

    RustyBolt Road Train Member

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    Anyone check your oil cooler? If it's not doing it's job, your coolant temps will rise to some degree. Just a thought.
     
  10. anthonyar4

    anthonyar4 Medium Load Member

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    Not likely cause water boils at 220 am some change I think. Hard to cause damage when coolant is still flowing unless it’s so god awful hot like Evans coolant
     
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