concretebox
Well-known member
So I've had my RV for two years. Only recently have I been taking her over big hills/mountains. On hills longer than a few feet I lose speed, even at full throttle. On especially long or steep hills I struggle to beat 35mph. Also, the engine temp climbs up to 245 (F). She's a little better when the gas tanks (30 gallons) are less than 1/2 full.
I'm thinking my rig is just too heavy for an undersized engine (Ford 351) to pull it all up hill at freeway speeds.
I don't mind the speed, but the engine temp worries me. I turned on the heater (even though it was a hot day) and that cooled it down to about 230 (F). Of course outside temp and vehicle speed affect engine temperature (hotter at slower speed). The radiator is new, 2 years old, and there is no room to add a supplemental radiator fan. And I recently had an oil change (less than 3000 miles).
Besides taking breaks to let the engine cool, and avoiding driving during the hottest times of day...what other steps can I take to insure my engine lasts long and performs well? I blew a head gasket once and it cost me an engine (it stalled going up a hill at 30mph at a hot hot engine). There is no oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil, so I think the head gasket is good. Any oil or fuel additives I should be using?
Vehicle details: 1989 Ford E350 with replacement 351 engine (fuel injection, OBD-Mark I), hightop, extended, heavy cargo: 18 gals fresh water, 30 gals gasoline, 7 gals propane+tank, Roof AC unit, dorm fridge.
I'm thinking my rig is just too heavy for an undersized engine (Ford 351) to pull it all up hill at freeway speeds.
I don't mind the speed, but the engine temp worries me. I turned on the heater (even though it was a hot day) and that cooled it down to about 230 (F). Of course outside temp and vehicle speed affect engine temperature (hotter at slower speed). The radiator is new, 2 years old, and there is no room to add a supplemental radiator fan. And I recently had an oil change (less than 3000 miles).
Besides taking breaks to let the engine cool, and avoiding driving during the hottest times of day...what other steps can I take to insure my engine lasts long and performs well? I blew a head gasket once and it cost me an engine (it stalled going up a hill at 30mph at a hot hot engine). There is no oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil, so I think the head gasket is good. Any oil or fuel additives I should be using?
Vehicle details: 1989 Ford E350 with replacement 351 engine (fuel injection, OBD-Mark I), hightop, extended, heavy cargo: 18 gals fresh water, 30 gals gasoline, 7 gals propane+tank, Roof AC unit, dorm fridge.