2005 Journey Over Heating On Mountain Passes

[HiBanky]

I added an extension to the crankcase ventilator tube yesterday using 1" diameter irrigation plumbing. I shortened the tube by about four inches and used a hose clamp to fasten it to a 90 degree fitting . A little bit of heat from a torch made it easy to bend and made sure it all ran slightly downhill. A couple of zip ties to hold it all in place finished the job. Easy peasy.

 

[HiBanky]

Oops. Didn't want to post this and haven't figured out how to delete it.

 

[FIRE UP]

Hibanky,
One thing here. Make darn sure that your new blow-by extension tubing is at least level or preferably down hill slightly from the 90 degree bend. If it's at all UPHILL, it can collect oil residue and it's possible that it will actually fill slightly with oil and that would impede the flow of the crank case ventilation.
Scott

 

[HiBanky]

Hibanky,
One thing here. Make darn sure that your new blow-by extension tubing is at least level or preferably down hill slightly from the 90 degree bend. If it's at all UPHILL, it can collect oil residue and it's possible that it will actually fill slightly with oil and that would impede the flow of the crank case ventilation.
Scott

It has a three-inch drop which should be plenty to insure sufficient flow. I'm more concerned about the ability of polyethylene to resist heat and not sag. I see others have used PVC which is slightly better at keeping it's shape under heat. I'll be watching for this when I get back on the road.

 

[rollingstone-WO]

My 2005 journey has a cat 7 motor with 350 horse. He runs perfectly most of the time except when climbing long mountain passes . It tends to overheat forcing me to the side of the road. I can usually avoid this by down shifting, slowing down and getting out of the throttle. My question is: does anyone else have this issue and is there a remedy to the problem. I should also mention that I tow a Honda CRV and typically have a lot of fuel and water on board.

We have the 2002 journey same engine. Mine did the same thing, New radiator core solved it. Have never had the problem again.

 

[HiBanky]

Thanks for the reminder rollingstone-WO.

It has been a whole year since my original post, and I had promised an update after testing how well cleaning the radiator fins effected the engine cooling. I can say that the overheating problem seems to have been eliminated or at least reduced to the point that it is of little concern. Since last May we have summited a half dozen long steep grades including Raton and Monarch pass in Colorado with no sharp rise on the temp gauge. Admittedly I used some extra caution by gearing down a little sooner and keeping my foot out of the throttle just to be sure, but there was a noticeable difference in cooling. Cleaning may not be the best solution, but it made a big difference and it didn't cost an arm and leg.

Adding the extension to the crankcase breather tube also did its job by redirecting the oil slobber out the back and past the radiator. My concerns about the material were not founded as it kept its shape after being exposed to the engine heat.