C13 running hot

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Con707904, May 18, 2025.

  1. Con707904

    Con707904 Bobtail Member

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    Hey guys, I have a 2007 Pete 386 with a KCB C13. Recently did a coolant change from green to ELC red. It took 9 gallons exactly to refill. Hauled one load with the red coolant and the truck seems to be running a bit hotter than it did previously. Load was 87k, moderate hills at 55-65 mph, ambient temperature was around 65°. It's not getting much over 210 on the gauge, but it seems to be going up to 210 more often than it did before. My next order of business will be to remove ac condenser and intercooler to blow out the radiator and see if that helps. I will also do another drain and fill as I realize there's still a few gallons of green left in the cooling system. Any suggestions or am I just being paranoid?
     
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  3. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Straight coolant or 50/50 mix?
     
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  4. Con707904

    Con707904 Bobtail Member

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  5. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

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    You already said where I'd start.

    With the fan on, engine running, will it hold a grease rag on the A/C condensor if you let it go?

    You could also just use a flashlight to look through.
     
  6. Lazer

    Lazer Road Train Member

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    Hopefully you haven’t partly plugged your radiator. ‘A few gallons of green’ was a big time no-no. You should have flushed the system at least 3-4 times with straight water to get any trace of the old out, before the new.
     
  7. Con707904

    Con707904 Bobtail Member

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    Never thought to check it like that with the rag, good idea! I guess I'm just a bit concerned because it ran cooler before the coolant change even in warmer temps 85° or so.
     
  8. Con707904

    Con707904 Bobtail Member

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    Can I stick a hose in the expansion tank and just let it run out the lower radiator hose until it's clean water?
     
  9. JB7

    JB7 Heavy Load Member

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    "My next order of business will be to remove ac condenser and intercooler to blow out the radiator and see if that helps." If you are going to do that I would also use coil cleaner on the radiator, condensor and intercooler. It is sold in cans (Home Depot, Amazon...) and can also be purchased in gallon jugs and mixed in a sprayer.
     
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  10. JB7

    JB7 Heavy Load Member

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    That is mostly just going to flush out the radiator and not the block. Let it run out like you say and then close the drain and circulate by running the engine. Do that several times till it runs clear. On the final fill if you are not buying 50/50 but 100 percent antifreeze it is best to add distilled water.
     
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  11. Lazer

    Lazer Road Train Member

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    No. Drain, refill(water),and run at high idle, turn and heater, in cab and sleeper, for at least 15 minutes, drain, do this 3 more times. You need all the old out, before the new. There are lots of places that coolant sits even removing the lower rad hose, heater cores, air compressor, etc, this will take a good couple hours to do correctly for a shade tree mechanic.
     
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