2000 Rodeo LS V6 4X4
I recently had issues with over heating, so I changed the water pump, thermostat, flush raid and the fan clutch. All seemed well until I use the 4x4 and whamo started over heating again, and I mean over heating! Needle pegged over to the H fast! Also, heard a moderately loud rotating clanking sound while using the 4 x 4 and I noticed the CV boots were cracked.
Does this clanking sound mean the CV joints are shot or a good cleaning and changing of the boots with suffice?
And the over heating in 4 x4àweird but possible IÆm assuming since thatÆs the only time it overheatsà.anyone having/ had this problem or anY tech minded individuals with insight? Your help is appreciated

Basically, yes. Though some good TLC could possibly salvage them. it just depends on how much dirt and sand got in there and for how long. The outer joint is tougher to clean all the way, since it can't entirely be disassembled.


-Rob

thanks for a quick reply! I will probably just have them changed as I don't know when they were changed last. I probably have a ton of sand in them... I live in South Texas and fishing is a way of life down here, just hadn't had cause to use 4x4 latley, so when i recently used the 4x4 i got the clanking and over heating. Murphy's law: if it moves it can/will break!
No insight on the over heating while in 4 wheel drive?

CVs aren't a typical wear item. With good upkeep, they'll last the life of the vehicle.

The overheating during 4wheeling is because there's less airflow compared to when driving on the road. I'd check your fan clutch. Sounds like it's not doing its job.

Richard <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

no idea. are you sure it isn't just circumstantial?

when in 4wd, you're usually going a lot slower, which means less airflow through the radiator which could exaggerate cooling problems. I suppose 4wd puts slightly more load on the engine/driveline, but not anywhere near enough to really effect engine temps. otherwise, 4wd and the tcase have absolutely nothing to do with your vehicles cooling system.

can you reproduce the symptons every time just by shifting the 4wd lever? how long does it take after shifting in for temps to start rising? do you have any problems with temps rising in 2wd during slow parking lot type conditions (sub 15mph)?



-Rob

I changed the water pump, thermostat, flush raid and the fan clutch probably about a month ago. Everything is fine and normal city/highway driving.

Last weekend used 4 wheel drive and about 10 mins in started to overheat pretty quickly. It wasn't any nasty 4x4ing mainly loose sand and the occasional mud hole(shallow)I was surprised to find it over heating again. Imagine... I went out to my spot, used 4x4 and it over heated....truck sat for a couple hrs so it was completly cooled down...on the way out of my spot (checked coolant level before leaving) it started to over heat again. Now as i entered onto the access road and got the vehicle up to speed it started to slowly cool down....I went to another spot (same conditions as the last) and same scenario happened again....I'm a little PO'd if ya will.

Normal city highway driving there are no problemos

That's why I'm thinking fan clutch. Just because you replaced it, doesn't mean it's not the problem. New parts can be bad off the shelf.

Other than that, I'd say something is plugging up your radiator ... inside or out. Could be plugged up from the outside with dead bugs to mud. But that to me would be a fairly constant problem with it running a little hotter than it should even at highway speeds.

But since it only happens at low speeds, I'd seriously take a look at the fan clutch first. It's the easiest and least invasive thing to change. I'd also try to burp the cooling system. Might be air in the system.

Richard <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

I have to agree with Richard...the fan clutch has to be suspect. When your temp rises above halfway on the gauge, you should be able to hear (particularly at low speeds) the roar of the fan trying to cool it back down. If not, the fan clutch is not doing it's job.

Hot dang! I just replaced the fan clutch but I see the wisdom in bad parts coming off the shelf. I'll run another troublshoot on the fan clutch as outlined within the repair maunal...if that doesn't pan out I'm at a loss. Rob- you said previously to 'burb' the coolant system. I'm sorry but I'm not sure what you meant. Should I fulsh the system again?