'06 Dmax getting hot?

[K85 Octane]

Just curious about my Dad's '06 Dmax I borrowed the other day to tow my Blazer.

It has 150,000 miles on it and I don't think any of the cooling system has been worked on, including the coolant. So I'm sure that's where the problem lies.

The truck does well and has plenty of power, but it climbed to around 225-230 briefly a couple times while towing. Was climbing my local mountain. Ran up the bottom at 60mph but couldn't hold that speed as the temps climbed quick. Ended up behind a semitruck doing 20 while it cooled down to 195. Then I would get around the semi and build speed but that was short lived cause it wanted to climb in temps again.

It's embarrassing to go that slow

Coming down hill the temp gauge drops way below 195, probably 170 or so. During the drive it would swing back and forth quite a bit.

Just time for coolant, stat, maybe clutch fan, hoses?

 

[brans87]

try filling coolant system up and pressure testing to to check for any leaks. Heard a few water pump stories. I want a 06 D-max myself!

 

[muddog]

Can you tell if the fan clutch is engaging? It will sound like an airplane taking off under your good. What grades are you pulling up? Whats your trans temp hit?

I have an '06 myself. crew cab..auto. It has 234K on it now. Only servicing of the cooling system was a water pump at 176K miles. THe only time mine gets hot is really pushing it loaded….about 30-34K pounds gross. I pulled my 18ft bumper pull all over when I lived in Riverton, UT. BAck and forth to KS through colorado, wyoming, utah, etc. No problems then. I have not pulled "heavy" through there with my Dmax. Don't have any mountains around here of course…just some semi steep grades along 540 in Arkansas and rolling hills in Oklahoma. My truck would quickly rise to 220-240 if I didn't watch it, but never had to drop down to 20 MPH. My guess would be fan clutch or high EGT's, or both. Turning the a/c off helps too.

 

[Cili]

It's really common on these to get dirt, dust, grass, and other debris between the radiator and intercooler and slow air flow. Pull them apart from each other and spray all the fins out with a hose

 

[Team208Motorsports]

Some great questions have already been asked.. I have one too. Is there a tune or tuner on it?

Some of these diesel tunes are total crap and just throw fuel without tuning the timing. Late stock timing and extra fuel heats everything up in a hurry.

 

[76zimmer]

I had the same issue with my 6.0 in my 99 2500...it was the fan clutch...cured my cooling problems and its all still OEM stuff in it w/ 230K on the clock.

 

[K85 Octane]

1) I can't test the cooling system or at least I don't have the tools. What should I look for to do the job?

2) I can hear the fan clutch take off but it's normally after 220

3) I'll check for crud in the radiator fins. I doubt it though, it spends it's life as a DD in LA.

4) no tune

5) I'll probably pressure check the system and then start throwing parts at it. At 150k miles I'm sure new hoses, T-stat, and clutch wont hurt.


Thanks for the replies!!

 

[76zimmer]

that fan clutch should start blaring pretty good about 1500-2000rpm, its not the engine temp that makes it turn. It makes a big difference if its not working right.

 

[Team208Motorsports]

that fan clutch should start blaring pretty good about 1500-2000rpm, its not the engine temp that makes it turn. It makes a big difference if its not working right.

With the info given. I'd start with this and cleaning the rad setup very well.