Cooling Fan - Running More Than Normal

[immersivenc]

I've noticed my '23 Limited's fan is kicking on more than normal. Seems to start at idle or low speed most of the time. The other day it got up to 3/4 of the way to Hot on the temp gauge which I've never seen it do before. If I'm moving it goes down to normal range but the fan will often be screaming still. 24,000 mi. Anybody seen anything similar?

 

[SD Rebel]

I've noticed my '23 Limited's fan is kicking on more than normal. Seems to start at idle or low speed most of the time. The other day it got up to 3/4 of the way to Hot on the temp gauge which I've never seen it do before. If I'm moving it goes down to normal range but the fan will often be screaming still. 24,000 mi. Anybody seen anything similar?

What is the digital temp gauge telling you? Setup your your gauge screen to show the 4 different digital settings (coolant temp, oil temp, trans temp & oil press), keep an eye on it and see how high they go, especially the coolant and oil temps and report back.

The cooling fan typically turns on at 230F or so, brings it down to about 220F before it turns off on the Hemi. If the fan is coming on more often/earlier than normal, it could be an issue with the thermostat or radiator.

 

[immersivenc]

So I checked the coolant reservoir- sucker was nearly bone dry I added about 1.5Q to get it to acceptable range on the dipstick. Took it for a test drive and it's still doing it. At idle the coolant temp was over 240 and the fan was screaming. At one point while driving I observed it all the way up to 280 and then dropped to under 190 in less than a minute which doesn't seem right at all. Current air temp is 57F and I'm not towing anything. Hasn't done this before and it seems abnormal. I have a service appt set for later this week I'm wondering if the thermostat is bad.

 

[Scram1500]

The coolant being low is concerning, hopefully it's not escaping from the tail pipe, aka blown head gasket. Check your oil for emulsion

 

[SD Rebel]

So I checked the coolant reservoir- sucker was nearly bone dry I added about 1.5Q to get it to acceptable range on the dipstick. Took it for a test drive and it's still doing it. At idle the coolant temp was over 240 and the fan was screaming. At one point while driving I observed it all the way up to 280 and then dropped to under 190 in less than a minute which doesn't seem right at all. Current air temp is 57F and I'm not towing anything. Hasn't done this before and it seems abnormal. I have a service appt set for later this week I'm wondering if the thermostat is bad.

Definitely sounds like a thermostat, I would avoid driving it beyond 250F on the coolant side, next time I would pull over and let it cool, you may blow a head gasket at those temps. Need to have it looked at before you continue to drive.

Is this the first time you ever checked the coolant reservoir? If so, just note that the coolant reservoir being nearly bone dry may not be unusual, many member have noted their expansion tanks even from new were low, likely that way from the factory.

When the engine cools, remove the radiator cap and check the level in there. Then fill up the expansion tank to the max line when cold. Then check the level again over time and see if it's indeed being consumed.

As mentioned by Scram1500, check your oil cap, make sure it isn't milky. Also note, the coolant color is purple. It looks orange visually, until you get it on a white paper towel and realize it's actually purple. I mention this because a lot of people think they need to find orange coolant, but the OEM color is purple.

 

[Cbty2050]

but the OEM color is purple.

The color doesn't mean anything, it's the type that matters. Stellantis has multiple colors depending on the brand.

 

[SD Rebel]

The color doesn't mean anything, it's the type that matters. Stellantis has multiple colors depending on the brand.

Sure, but mentioning that purple was the only color I could find at the dealerships even though I thought I needed orange, turns out it was already purple.

As for those other colors, good to know I can use any of them.

 

[immersivenc]

Definitely sounds like a thermostat, I would avoid driving it beyond 250F on the coolant side, next time I would pull over and let it cool, you may blow a head gasket at those temps. Need to have it looked at before you continue to drive.

Is this the first time you ever checked the coolant reservoir? If so, just note that the coolant reservoir being nearly bone dry may not be unusual, many member have noted their expansion tanks even from new were low, likely that way from the factory.

When the engine cools, remove the radiator cap and check the level in there. Then fill up the expansion tank to the max line when cold. Then check the level again over time and see if it's indeed being consumed.

As mentioned by Scram1500, check your oil cap, make sure it isn't milky. Also note, the coolant color is purple. It looks orange visually, until you get it on a white paper towel and realize it's actually purple. I mention this because a lot of people think they need to find orange coolant, but the OEM color is purple.

Oil cap and oil off the dipstick look clean. It's definitely possible it was just a low fill from the factory- I hadn't pulled the reservoir dipstick until now. Given the rather large and quick fluctuations of the temp readings, I'm suspecting a faulty thermostat or coolant temp sensor throwing the fan on. I have a service appt scheduled later this week and will report back with what happens.

 

[SD Rebel]

Oil cap and oil off the dipstick look clean. It's definitely possible it was just a low fill from the factory- I hadn't pulled the reservoir dipstick until now. Given the rather large and quick fluctuations of the temp readings, I'm suspecting a faulty thermostat or coolant temp sensor throwing the fan on. I have a service appt scheduled later this week and will report back with what happens.

That's a good point, it could maybe be the temp sensor, which would explain why you haven't blow a head gasket with 280F reading.

 

[immersivenc]

Update from the dealer this AM- pressure test blew off one of the heater hoses. Not sure if it was cracked, bad clamp or what. Said there was very little coolant in the radiator. Must have been leaking on something hot and burning off bc I never saw coolant anywhere and it never threw a low coolant warning. Not very confidence inspiring at 24000 miles but I suppose it happens. I'm a little concerned about any potential damage. I guess we'll see how it does when they put it back together.

 

[SD Rebel]

Update from the dealer this AM- pressure test blew off one of the heater hoses. Not sure if it was cracked, bad clamp or what. Said there was very little coolant in the radiator. Must have been leaking on something hot and burning off bc I never saw coolant anywhere and it never threw a low coolant warning. Not very confidence inspiring at 24000 miles but I suppose it happens. I'm a little concerned about any potential damage. I guess we'll see how it does when they put it back together.

Wow, sorry to hear that, but glad they figured out the reason. Definitely keep an eye on that engine going forward, 280F is a lot, with everything documented should make it easier for any future repairs at the dealership.

 

[immersivenc]

So they've had my truck 4.5 days now and just told me it would be another week until they get the parts in. Which is interesting considering they told me the parts would be overnighted to them after I dropped it off last week... I can't stand this back and forth to the dealer stuff and out of service for weeks at a time - I'll be trading it in a skinny minute if this becomes a pattern. Fortunately I have other vehicles to drive or I'm not sure what I'd do.