Truck w/ max tow package is borderline overheating while towing no more than 8,000 lbs on LEVEL ground while traveling 65 mph. Normally, with no load, there's no evidence of running hot - it drives great. However, when pulling my 3-slant horse trailer with 2 horses in it and no more than 1,000 lbs of cargo, the coolant temp goes up significantly. I first noticed it with the numerical coolant readout coming on above the temp gauge. I believe it comes on at around 226F. Temps went all the way to about 255F (not redline) before the truck displayed a message stating it was cutting power to reduce temp or something similar to that. The speed reduced, A/C cut off, boost went to zero, and the truck cooled down. After the temps went down, normal operation resumed. It then heated back up with the slightest of hills (1 degree incline).
It did this all the way from Montana to Missouri in August. Took it to dealer under warranty and they said "you got mud in radiator fins". I was like "are you kidding me?". They cleaned it out (it was already pretty clean) and I test drove it again. Guess what? SAME ISSUE. So now it's back to the dealer. Grill fins are working as they should, coolant level is normal, fans are working normally, ambient temp is NOT a major factor, no codes on truck, no radiator restrictions, and no apparent reason for it to be running hot. There's a few guys on Youtube that have documented the same issue - one seemed to find success with a performance radiator installed by dealer.
Update from Aug 20, 2022: Even though I had the dealer inspect it and they told me it was a dirty radiator, then had a coolant flush done, then had dealer replace the water pump during a cam phaser repair, I went ahead and decided to have the radiator replaced as a last option. PROBLEM FIXED. Truck runs about 20 degrees cooler. Cruising at 65mph towing about 8,000 lbs on level ground, am now running about 212F.
Took the old radiator, which looked new, and took the sides off. The lower 1/3rd of radiator was completely gummed up with sludge, likely from some idiot technician at the dealer that mixed two different types of coolants!!!
Truck w/ max tow package is borderline overheating while towing no more than 8,000 lbs on LEVEL ground while traveling 65 mph. Normally, with no load, there's no evidence of running hot - it drives great. However, when pulling my 3-slant horse trailer with 2 horses in it and no more than 1,000 lbs of cargo, the coolant temp goes up significantly. I first noticed it with the numerical coolant readout coming on above the temp gauge. I believe it comes on at around 226F. Temps went all the way to about 255F (not redline) before the truck displayed a message stating it was cutting power to reduce temp or something similar to that. The speed reduced, A/C cut off, boost went to zero, and the truck cooled down. After the temps went down, normal operation resumed. It then heated back up with the slightest of hills (1 degree incline).
It did this all the way from Montana to Missouri in August. Took it to dealer under warranty and they said "you got mud in radiator fins". I was like "are you kidding me?". They cleaned it out (it was already pretty clean) and I test drove it again. Guess what? SAME ISSUE. So now it's back to the dealer. Grill fins are working as they should, coolant level is normal, fans are working normally, ambient temp is NOT a major factor, no codes on truck, no radiator restrictions, and no apparent reason for it to be running hot. There's a few guys on Youtube that have documented the same issue - one seemed to find success with a performance radiator installed by dealer.
Update from Aug 20, 2022: Even though I had the dealer inspect it and they told me it was a dirty radiator, then had a coolant flush done, then had dealer replace the water pump during a cam phaser repair, I went ahead and decided to have the radiator replaced as a last option. PROBLEM FIXED. Truck runs about 20 degrees cooler. Cruising at 65mph towing about 8,000 lbs on level ground, am now running about 212F.
Took the old radiator, which looked new, and took the sides off. The lower 1/3rd of radiator was completely gummed up with sludge, likely from some idiot technician at the dealer that mixed two different types of coolants!!!
- Dan W., Kettle Falls, WA, US