GTHO4

When sitting in traffic and is only 27 deg day.
I've replaced thermostat and still the same, checked the fan and appears to be fine, cooling system get flushed every 20,000k's.... what else could it be?
I'm concerned the engine is gonna get fried when it becomes a stinkin hot day especially when the missus drives it (pays no attention to gauges)

LoverBoy

stick in some thermo fans if ya havn't already got em, i've heard good things about them.

TopGhia

How hot is hot? Are you losing any coolant?. My V8 temp looks drastic in traffic, but soon cools down when on the open road.

Are you using a 50/50 e. glycol/water mix. E. glycol will help raise the boiling point of the water, won't stop it getting hot, but it can get hotter before it boils!

If you want a bit of emergency heat control, turn the heater on full blast, this will absorb a bit of heat from the system.

As LoverBoy said, check the efficiency of the fans. Roll up a humungous large joint, light it up, and hold it in front of the radiator when the engine is idleing, if the smoke is not drawn through at a great rate of knots, you may have partially blocked radiator fins. The "smoke" test is a good one, and of course, any smoky material can be used.


Cheers

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"I married Miss Right. I just didn't know her first name was Always."

Jase_ELXR8

Also check in front of the radiator (between the radiator and condenser) as it's common for them to get blocked up leaves and stuff. Also run your hand around the core on the radiator when it does get warm, if there's cool spots it blocked....

GTHO4

Everything OK there

Considering that but I want to eliminate other possibilities that could cause the problem.


Yes I know but it is a slightly warm day and it's getting close to the red which over the years never been that bad unless the day was in the high 30's coolant level is fine.

It would solve one problem at least.

TopGhia

Yes, approaching the red is a bit too much. The only other thing is to check/replace the radiator cap.

Heater core blocked - inlet and outlet hoses should be the same temp after about 10 minutes driving.

here is a list of what makes an engine overheat.

A lean air/fuel ratio. (Also check fuel pump and filters.)
Too much timing/retarded timing/advance curve malfunction.
Clogged radiator/collapsed hose (restricted water flow).
Clogged engine (restricted water flow).
Stuck thermostat/incorrect thermostat.
Bad water pump.
Incorrect water pump speed (too slow/too fast).
Radiator too thick.
Wrong pressure cap.
No shroud around fan. Improper fan positioning within shroud.
Bad fan design - Stock factory type usually works best.
High volume or high pressure oil pump.
Electric fan (pullers/pushers) blocking air flow.
Too much anti-freeze.
Wrong type anti-freeze.
FLOW TEST: Begin with cool engine. Remove radiator cap. Start engine. Bring engine up to operating temperature so that the thermostat opens. Increase engine speed to 2000 RPM. If water gushes out of radiator, there is a flow restriction in the system. This must be corrected for proper cooling.
Wrong spark plugs (i.e., Heat Range).
Wrong gasoline type (try 95 or 98 octane).
Clogged catalytic converter.
Clogged injector system.
Exhaust getting into the water due to a cracked head or blown head gasket. Have your local radiator shop test your system for carbon dioxide.
Air-lock in cooling system, loosen radiator cap, warm up engine, turn heater on full blast, run engine at fast idle for 10 mins to purge air.

That's a lot, but probably one of those.

Let us know if you find out anything.

cheers

__________________
"I married Miss Right. I just didn't know her first name was Always."

LTDHO

You'll find your radiator is full of sand. No joke, It doesn't come out by flushing. I found this happened to mine. I did everythink listed above and some told me about the sand. I went out bought a brand new EF radiator, also fitted the EF themo's and now she runs cooooool.

__________________

TopGhia

Ah, the old casting sand in the engine block trick. Heard a few complaints about this.

__________________
"I married Miss Right. I just didn't know her first name was Always."

GTHO4

Faaaaark!! a long list there I think let a mechanic have all the fun.

Aussie Pete

I solved my problems. Bought a new radiator (not a recore) and a new water pump. The water pump had lost the cavitation plate which got chewed up by the impeller and spat into the outlet where it restricted flow severely. The radiator was sludged up to about 1/3rd the area and did not clear despite much flushing.

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