Overheating Problems With Ms 200

[tree98]

I have a 1997 mack ms 200.In case you dont know these are the french built cab overs with the renault turbo diesel,the gvw is 25,995 lbs.I'm pretty sure the truck has 180 h.p.and mine is an automatic trans.the truck has a dump body on it,we use it to haul wood chips.the truck weighs 15,000 lbs. empty,and 30,000 lbs. full.we also pull a chipper behind the truck that weighs 10,000 lbs.The truck gets hot going up hills,empty pulling the chipper,and gets hot even faster loaded pulling the chipper.Am i just asking to much of this truck and thats why its getting hot?Is there anything i can do to make it run cooler?I was thinking maybe an electric fan for the radiator instead of the belt driven fan it currently has.It's never boiled over but it gets real close to 270 degrees and the temp warning light and buzzer comes on.Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Mike]

I would say your over working the truck at this time with this problem of getting too hot. I'm thinking this engine is a 4 cylinder with 180 horse? With the truck being 13 years and no relevent problems as such before, it is a good idea to check your antifreeze to see if it is strong enough for this weather. Also would pull the radiator and have it cleaned and pressure checked for leaks. And final check would be the thermostat. Sometimes these little devices will stick and cause the problem. This will give you something to start on.

mike

[tree98]

I would say your over working the truck at this time with this problem of getting too hot. I'm thinking this engine is a 4 cylinder with 180 horse? With the truck being 13 years and no relevent problems as such before, it is a good idea to check your antifreeze to see if it is strong enough for this weather. Also would pull the radiator and have it cleaned and pressure checked for leaks. And final check would be the thermostat. Sometimes these little devices will stick and cause the problem. This will give you something to start on.

mike

I forgot to mention i bought the truck used,a year and a half ago.It was originally a box truck,i put the dump bed on it.It's always done this since i got it.But i will check all the things you mentioned.I was also thinking maybe adding an additional tank of antifreeze,like maybe 5 gallons?

[Firemack]

Tree98,

If it is overheating going up hills turn on the heater and see if that helps bring down the temp- that could be another indicator that the radiator is clogged. Also should check that the belt are tight and water pump impeller is still intact, either one can cause low flow and overheating. I think the truck should easily handle the 30K load with the chipper- just don't plan on going by any scales- or if here in PA getting pulled over for a weight check- that will really cost you here. Make sure you keep the brakes in good shape for the extra load you are carrying and the chipper- you need the braking handle the extra load.

Also check trans fluid- you can add an oil cooler and trans cooler if everything else checks out.

Firemack

[tree98]

Tree98,

If it is overheating going up hills turn on the heater and see if that helps bring down the temp- that could be another indicator that the radiator is clogged. Also should check that the belt are tight and water pump impeller is still intact, either one can cause low flow and overheating. I think the truck should easily handle the 30K load with the chipper- just don't plan on going by any scales- or if here in PA getting pulled over for a weight check- that will really cost you here. Make sure you keep the brakes in good shape for the extra load you are carrying and the chipper- you need the braking handle the extra load.

Also check trans fluid- you can add an oil cooler and trans cooler if everything else checks out.

Firemack

Thanks firemack,i will check the things you mentioned,this truck doesnt get on the freeway very often,and there's no scales local here.Just have to be careful for those portable scales the chipper is a tandem axle and both axles have brakes,so it stops pretty good.