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  #1  
Old 07-21-2011, 04:35 PM
dmrodriguez5 dmrodriguez5 is offline
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Default engine overheating?

so here's whats going on. when i'm driving around town and have the a/c on my engine occasionally overheats and the needle hits H, a quick fix is turning off the a/c and it immediately drops back to mid range level. however, it does not smell like the truck's engine is burning or anything like that so i'm confused?
also when i have the a/c on on the highway it doesn't seem to overheat. any ideas??
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Old 07-21-2011, 04:43 PM
ObsoleteE ObsoleteE is offline
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Default Re: engine overheating?

Check your coolant level, and change your thermostat to start.
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Old 07-23-2011, 04:48 AM
Rg1Baja Rg1Baja is offline
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Default Re: engine overheating?

Start there /\ /\ /\
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Old 07-23-2011, 05:42 AM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Default Re: engine overheating?

Doubt the thermostat is the culprit if the AC is exasperating the symptoms. I suppose its possible it is stuck not opening all the way but this would be extremely rare.

Having the AC running basically is pre-heating the air that goes through the radiator reducing the amount of heat it can dissipate. If that is actually causing a problem then it could be:
- Low coolant level. On a cold engine, the radiator should be full when you look inside and the tank should be 1/2 full.
- Failing water pump not moving enough volume to dissipate the heat.
- Clogged old beat up radiator not dissipating enough heat
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