REPAIR SYSTEM 04
Cooling & lubrication.
Radiators, water pumps, oil coolers, EGR coolers and fan clutches. In Tucson heat this system works harder than anywhere else on the truck.
ON YOUR TRUCK
What fails on your engine.
Pick your engine to see the cooling and oil problems we see most on that generation, what you’ll notice, why it happens and how we fix it.
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FROM OUR SHOP
Real work, real trucks.
THE BASICS
How it works, and why it matters.
What it does
The cooling system carries heat away from the engine, transmission, turbo and, on many diesels, the EGR system. Coolant also protects against corrosion and cavitation, so the right type and a healthy mix matter. Oil coolers keep engine oil in its working range so it can keep protecting bearings and the turbo.
Why it matters
Overheating is one of the fastest ways to warp a head or blow a head gasket. On several diesels a plugged oil cooler or a failing EGR cooler is the start of a chain reaction. Tucson summers and towing make it worse.
Warning signs
- Temperature gauge climbing when towing or climbing
- Coolant loss or a sweet smell
- Steam or white smoke from the exhaust
- Fan running loud all the time, or not at all
- Oil and coolant temperatures far apart (on trucks that show both)
- Leaks at the water pump or hoses
What we check
- Pressure test of the cooling system
- Coolant condition and the right coolant type
- Fan clutch, thermostat and water pump
- Oil-to-coolant temperature spread on the scan tool
- Radiator and intercooler stack for blockage
Keep it healthy
- Flush coolant on schedule with the right coolant for your engine
- Clean bugs and dust out of the radiator stack
- Do not ignore slow coolant loss