What causes high water temperature and lack of power in trucks?
2 Answers
The main reason is: high water temperature leads to reduced air intake and fuel injection, resulting in insufficient power. The following are detailed causes of high water temperature in trucks: 1. Insufficient or improper coolant: Due to the extremely high internal temperature during operation, diesel engines have strict requirements for the coolant used. If the coolant is severely insufficient, it cannot effectively dissipate the heat generated by engine components, leading to excessively high water temperature. 2. Cooling fan malfunction: When the vehicle operates at high speeds, the generated heat cannot be promptly transferred to the antifreeze, affecting heat dissipation. This subsequently causes the antifreeze temperature to rise, leading to issues such as boiling.
As an experienced long-haul driver, I've seen many cases where trucks suffer from high water temperature and lack of power. Most often, it's due to cooling system issues - like severely clogged radiators caked with dust, or cooling fins plastered with mud that blocks airflow, causing temperatures to spike. Another common culprit is insufficient or degraded coolant that hasn't been changed for too long, drastically reducing heat transfer efficiency. When engines overheat, they automatically reduce power output for protection, which explains the sluggish response when you step on the gas. Other possibilities include a faulty water pump or thermostat preventing coolant circulation, or aging/slipping belts that stop the fan from spinning. The worst scenario is a blown head gasket - you'll see bubbles in the radiator, milky engine oil, and complete engine failure requiring immediate attention.
