2013 Ram 1500 4.7 running hotter than usual

[Steve77]

Hey guys, this is my first post. This seems like a knowledgeable bunch of guys who may have the answers that I need. I have a 2013 ram 1500 with the 4.7 engine. The truck only has 63,000 miles and so far has been a perfect truck. The issue started when I had to make a 225 mile trip over the weekend. The truck has always ran at 204-206 degrees, even in hot summer temps. But when checking the temperature on this trip it was running at 222-226 degrees, at freeway speeds. Outside temperature was only 70 degrees so I don’t understand what changed, it has never ran this hot. It seems that something in the cooling system isn’t working as it has been. Checked coolant in reservoir and radiator and both are where they should be. Also, transmission temperature was only running 130 degrees, which seems to be a huge differences in temps. Thanks for any ideas.

 

[TheEnder]

Hey guys, this is my first post. This seems like a knowledgeable bunch of guys who may have the answers that I need. I have a 2013 ram 1500 with the 4.7 engine. The truck only has 63,000 miles and so far has been a perfect truck. The issue started when I had to make a 225 mile trip over the weekend. The truck has always ran at 204-206 degrees, even in hot summer temps. But when checking the temperature on this trip it was running at 222-226 degrees, at freeway speeds. Outside temperature was only 70 degrees so I don’t understand what changed, it has never ran this hot. It seems that something in the cooling system isn’t working as it has been. Checked coolant in reservoir and radiator and both are where they should be. Also, transmission temperature was only running 130 degrees, which seems to be a huge differences in temps. Thanks for any ideas.

View attachment 223798

I have the exact same truck, 2013 4.7L Maximum Steel Metallic but mine has WAY more miles on it.

I’d say your thermostat is sticking a little bit into the closed position, maybe it has a defect, i don’t know. My truck runs in the 204-206 degree area too, the only time it went past 206 was when it was near 120°F outside.

Interesting trans temps for 70 outside, were you moving? The RFEs (most of them) like to run cool, mines the opposite, mine runs pretty hot. Sitting at idle when the ambient temp is 70 would result in my truck climbing past 150 and into the 160 range.

How caked is your radiator/condenser?


Sent from RAM

 

[TheEnder]

Hey guys, this is my first post. This seems like a knowledgeable bunch of guys who may have the answers that I need. I have a 2013 ram 1500 with the 4.7 engine. The truck only has 63,000 miles and so far has been a perfect truck. The issue started when I had to make a 225 mile trip over the weekend. The truck has always ran at 204-206 degrees, even in hot summer temps. But when checking the temperature on this trip it was running at 222-226 degrees, at freeway speeds. Outside temperature was only 70 degrees so I don’t understand what changed, it has never ran this hot. It seems that something in the cooling system isn’t working as it has been. Checked coolant in reservoir and radiator and both are where they should be. Also, transmission temperature was only running 130 degrees, which seems to be a huge differences in temps. Thanks for any ideas.

View attachment 223798

Only time mine will get to 131 when the engine is fully heated up is when i’m driving late at night when the temps are at around 45-50°F ambient temp.


Sent from RAM

 

[Steve77]

Thanks for the reply. I was parked when this picture was taken, however it was the same as when running. Was running empty and not towing anything. Radiator/condenser area looks very clean to me. A few little small bugs, bot otherwise very clean and fins look good. The transmission temp is normal for what it's alway been. The highest ive seen it climb is 145-155 in humid summer weather.

 

[TheEnder]

Thanks for the reply. I was parked when this picture was taken, however it was the same as when running. Was running empty and not towing anything. Radiator/condenser area looks very clean to me. A few little small bugs, bot otherwise very clean and fins look good. The transmission temp is normal for what it's alway been. The highest ive seen it climb is 145-155 in humid summer weather.

Interesting, i wonder why our trans temps are so very different for the exact same truck.

Seriously though, replace your thermo and you should be good to go.


Sent from RAM

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

Get a Infrared heat gun at harbor freight has them for $20 check your radiator temps the top will be warm and the bottom should be allot cooler if you radiator is flowing correctly you may have a clogged radiator and you can check with the heat gun when the thermostat opens up, do you have the proper Antifreeze, get the concentrated type and mix with 50/50 Distilled water.

 

[Wild one]

Interesting, i wonder why our trans temps are so very different for the exact same truck.

Seriously though, replace your thermo and you should be good to go.


Sent from RAM

13 was the year they started implementing the Thermal Management System. Look through the pass side of your grills for an aluminium block with hard lines going to it.If you have that aluminium block,your truck has the transmission thermostat which regulates the flow to the cooler,and is supposed to bring the operating tranny temp up into the 160+ range. I'd almost hazard a guess one truck has the tranny thermostat and the other one doesn't.If you have the thermostat,there are delete kits available for it,or you can just mod the lines and use tranny cooler hose to delete it yourself.I deleted the one on my old 13 4.7 long before there were kits available to delete it,and it dropped the tranny temps a fair bit after i got rid of it.

 

[TheEnder]

13 was the year they started implementing the Thermal Management System. Look through the pass side of your grills for an aluminium block with hard lines going to it.If you have that aluminium block,your truck has the transmission thermostat which regulates the flow to the cooler,and is supposed to bring the operating tranny temp up into the 160+ range. I'd almost hazard a guess one truck has the tranny thermostat and the other one doesn't.If you have the thermostat,there are delete kits available for it,or you can just mod the lines and use tranny cooler hose to delete it yourself.I deleted the one on my old 13 4.7 long before there were kits available to delete it,and it dropped the tranny temps a fair bit after i got rid of it.

I don’t have the metal block, i checked around july when my trans was reaching incredibly high temps (204°F).


Sent from RAM

 

[Wild one]

I don’t have the metal block, i checked around july when my trans was reaching incredibly high temps (204°F).


Sent from RAM

My 2013 4.7 had the thermostat and ran the same tranny temps as your's does.Try and get a pic of the pass side of your grill.One that focus's on the upper middle part of the grill and shows a relevatively decent pic of what's behind the grill,and i can you if you have the tranny thermostat or not.Some 13's had the tranny thermostat,some didn't, i was under the impression alot of the 2013 4.7's had the thermostat though,it was more the hemi trucks that didn't have it

 

[TheEnder]

My 2013 4.7 had the thermostat and ran the same tranny temps as your's does.Try and get a pic of the pass side of your grill.One that focus's on the upper middle part of the grill and shows a relevatively decent pic of what's behind the grill,and i can you if you have the tranny thermostat or not.Some 13's had the tranny thermostat,some didn't, i was under the impression alot of the 2013 4.7's had the thermostat though,it was more the hemi trucks that didn't have it

This is what i see on my passenger side of my radiator/condenser. i need to check if the lines are cold/hot when it’s overheating, to determine if i need a trans cooler flush.


Sent from RAM

 

[Wild one]

This is what i see on my passenger side of my radiator/condenser. i need to check if the lines are cold/hot when it’s overheating, to determine if i need a trans cooler flush.


Sent from RAM

It looks like you don't have the tranny t-stat.The condensor looks like it could stand a blast at the carwash a bit though. You need a bug screen ,lol.****** pic,but you can see my homemade bug screen that bolts in at the bottom and uses factory push pins to hold it at the top

 

[Wild one]

Top that uses push pins in factory holes

 

[TheEnder]

Top that uses push pins in factory holes

View attachment 224171

That’s really smart, and yes, i completely agree with it needing a good cleaning LOL. Hasn’t been cleaned in 8 years


Sent from RAM

 

[Wild one]

That’s really smart, and yes, i completely agree with it needing a good cleaning LOL. Hasn’t been cleaned in 8 years


Sent from RAM

It makes a world of differance at keeping the condensor clean as you can see.Not a bug on my condensor,lol. it's been on the truck since it was brand new as i used to build them on the side when i had my old 2013,so it needs a touch of touch-up paint,but my rad/condensor are vitually spotless for a going on 7 year old truck now