Well, after pulling out my old radiator and having about a 1/3 of it fall to rust in my hands, I figured that was the problem to my running too hot '87.
After getting the new radiator in tonight and making sure it wasn't leaking, I was upset to still see the temp rising!! The temp guage is actually running all the way over to "H", which it was not doing b4 - b4 it was close but not all the way over. Took the car for a ride on the HWY w/the heat on and that didn't even make the temp. guage go down any!
After pulling back into the driveway I noticed one of the fans mounted to the rad. was on - only one - shouldn't both of them be on?
I'm guessing I'm gonna have to change the t-stat (which I really was hoping not to have to do!). What else could it be?
Also - at what temp should the fans come on?

Another thing - if the t-stat doesn't solve the problem - is there a sender unit that tells the dash guage how hot to run? maybe that is bad.

thanks for your help,
Mike

 

Mike,

Back-flush the cooling system w/ the thermostat removed using solvent. Make sure the lower radiator hose isn't collapsing. You can measure the cylinder head temp w/ a good multimeter to see if the gauge is wrong. The A/C fan won't come on unless the A/C is engaged. Also, make sure you have a 50/50 mix of H20 and coolant, and make sure it's full after your initial warm up. Try to check the weep hole on the water pump to see if it's leaking. Consider pressure testing for a system leak which will screw up the vapor pressure and cause it to run hot.

Dan Heard
Manager
usedmaximaparts.com
P.O. Box 2207
Newnan, GA 30264
678-378-4694
Fax 775-599-1906

 

>Back-flush the cooling system w/ the thermostat removed using solvent. Make sure the lower radiator hose isn't collapsing<

Hey Dan,
Can you explain how to back flush the system using solvent? Do this w/the t-stat removed?
Seems like it is gonna be a chore to get to the t-stat!

Also - the only lower rad. hose I see is the one that attaches to the steel tube that goes to the top area of the rad. and goes back to the t-stat hose?

Really don't want to have to take it to a pro to fix this prob. since I got the car close to free and would like to keep the costs down!

thanks,
Mike

 

Mike,

The thermostat isn't that hard to remove- once you remove the right whel and inner cover everything's right there. You can also inspect the water pump for play and leakage. Your syestem is likely filled w/ rust and scale. You can buy flushing Tees from any parts store that attach to a garden hose. If you don't want to go that far, get some Prestone flush and just put it in the radiator and follow the instructions, rinsing several times. Try to get the system pressure tested- you can rent pressure testers and Autozone loans them out for free (hopefully you can get hold of the right neck adapter). A shop can do this for you for about $50.

Dan Heard
Manager
usedmaximaparts.com
P.O. Box 2207
Newnan, GA 30264
678-378-4694
Fax 775-599-1906

 

Hey Dan,
THanks again for the info.
I guess I'll take the right front wheel off and splash shield soon (going away this wkend so can't!) and see how hard it looks to get to the t-stat. I already have a new t-stat and gasket.
You are probably right about the cooling system being filled with rust since my old rad. was pretty beat!
I'll prob. get some rad. flush and flush the system with a garden hose a few times.
I called my local dealer and they want $225 to change the t-stat! Hopefully I can do it myself.

thanks again - I'll keep ya posted,
Mike