UPHILL TOWING - Diesel Forum

BRG · 05-21-2007, 02:50 PM

I tow a 37' 5th wheel with my Power Stroke, 5sp auto. Coming back from Pismo, I was in Tow/Haul mode going uphill when my engine temp gauge went to hot and a temp warning beep went off. I pulled over for a couple minutes, dropped into 3rd and pulled up the hill just fine. Is this a gauge malfunction, or should I have been in 3rd to begin with?

White 99 · 05-21-2007, 04:00 PM

Did you get any other signs; like smell or see anything abnormal?

Did you hear the fan engage?

I don't have the newer transmission but with mine it will generally find the gear it needs to be in. I may hold it in a gear if it is just going to go back into that gear anyway.

I know if I was you I would want to know for sure if it overheating.

BRG · 05-21-2007, 06:13 PM

I heard the fan kick in, but then I heard a high pitch noise that sounded like it came from the fan also, then it got hot. The temperature remained normal the rest of the way home.

BillD · 05-21-2007, 07:34 PM

What year is it?

Bill

White 99 · 05-21-2007, 10:56 PM

Could the high pitch noise been the fan belt (serptine belt) slipping?

I am thinking maybe the fan wasn't doing it's job and possibly the pump wasn't either because the belt was slipping.

On the 7.3's the belt tensioner sometimes goes bad and causes problems. On mine it is not too hard to remove belt and check tensioner and pullies.

On the other hand the slipping is usually at the higher RPM's so it would be more likely to do it in 3rd than 4th.

NFA_Fun · 05-21-2007, 11:47 PM

My 06 did that and they replace the fan clutch...or whatever the part is that engages the fan. Once replaced, never had an issue with heat and no more squealing.

BRG · 05-22-2007, 10:02 AM

It is a 2006.

patchzx7r · 05-22-2007, 12:55 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I tow a 37' 5th wheel with my Power Stroke, 5sp auto. Coming back from Pismo, I was in Tow/Haul mode going uphill when my engine temp gauge went to hot and a temp warning beep went off. I pulled over for a couple minutes, dropped into 3rd and pulled up the hill just fine. Is this a gauge malfunction, or should I have been in 3rd to begin with?

[/ QUOTE ]

For a question such as this you need to provide a lot more information on your truck. Is it a 250, 350, a dually? Mods, etc - 37'(dry weight? Have you been to a scale yet?) is a big 5th wheel and if you have invested in a toy (and truck) the least you should have is gauges telling you when what your truck is doing. The standard dash gauges are idiot lights (for lack of a better term here). Trans, EGT, and Boost are the minimums. These trucks run hot, so I have invested in aftermarket parts to aid in keeping the truck cool. i.e. water meth injection larger trans pan, and shortly an additional trans cooler from B & M.

And no you don't shift the gears in your 5 speed for towing or start in 3rd. These transmission are computer controlled and do an excellant job. I am constantly adjusting my driving based on what my gauges are saying. My 5'er is just 10,000 pounds and I must tow thru mountains to go anywhere so without my gauges I would have surely burned up something by now.

Also check your manual if you are indeed running a F250 I bet your overloaded by a large margin..

Matt

wingnut60 · 05-27-2007, 12:12 AM

Sounds to me like he was towing too much with a performance tune. Or just plain towing too much.

T_Bone · 05-27-2007, 11:38 AM

Hi BRAGNF250,

I live in the country so mine gets alot of dust on the belt and clutch. I've learned to hose off my engine and radaitor before making a road trip. That made a huge difference of my belt not slipping and the fan clutch not overly working it's self.

Are you holding the fuel pedal at WOT while climbing grades? Try 3/4 of fuel pedal while climbing a grade and let the transmission downshift.

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