overheating problem

Post by **built4thrashing** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:36 pm

been driving today and the temp guage is sitting almost in the red. its worse at higher speeds but still too high for just idle. Im running a thermo fan and have been for quite a while and havenot had overheating problems with it.

Are there any bigger radiators from other cars that are an easy fit into a sierra. Are vitara rads bigger and are the hoses on the same side?

thanx B4T

Post by **bazooked** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:59 pm

are ur fins in the rad clean? how old is ur coolant? is ur head stuffed?

Post by **ofr57** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 12:09 am

yes you can fit a vitara radiator to a 1.3 but I'm quite sure you'll need a 2 inch BL since its taller

Post by **built4thrashing** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 8:24 am

rad fins are clear and the head was fully reco'd 3 months ago. coolant has been swapped in the last 2 weeks due to running hot but it has slowly gotten worse. temp was just under the red yesterday and it was only 25degs outside. gonna be a problem when it gets above 30.

How do ya tell if the rad is blocked inside?

Do the radiator flush treatements work and if so what is best to use?

thanx

Post by **cutzook** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 8:32 am

built4thrashing wrote:rad fins are clear and the head was fully reco'd 3 months ago. coolant has been swapped in the last 2 weeks due to running hot but it has slowly gotten worse. temp was just under the red yesterday and it was only 25degs outside. gonna be a problem when it gets above 30.

How do ya tell if the rad is blocked inside?

Do the radiator flush treatements work and if so what is best to use?

thanx

go to your nearest radiator shop and get them to reverse flush it. cant remember what price is charged. not very much.
have you checked your temp sender. maybe it is playing tricks on you. easiest way is to get another one and screw it in and take for a drive.

cheers joel

Post by **Damo** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 9:01 am

cutzook wrote:
built4thrashing wrote:rad fins are clear and the head was fully reco'd 3 months ago. coolant has been swapped in the last 2 weeks due to running hot but it has slowly gotten worse. temp was just under the red yesterday and it was only 25degs outside. gonna be a problem when it gets above 30.

How do ya tell if the rad is blocked inside?

Do the radiator flush treatements work and if so what is best to use?

thanx

go to your nearest radiator shop and get them to reverse flush it. cant remember what price is charged. not very much.
have you checked your temp sender. maybe it is playing tricks on you. easiest way is to get another one and screw it in and take for a drive.

cheers joel

Rad places have a sniffer they use that detects exhaust gas in your coolant. Even though you've just done the head it would be worth checking to take it out of the equation.

Post by **=SKB=** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 9:25 am

Are you running a thermostat? Remove it and take it for a drive and see if there is a difference. It might not be opening when temp gets hot.

Post by **moose** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 9:57 am

mine runs at about 1/4 to 1/2 most days !!
but turn in the head lights , & it runs 1/2 to 3/4 !!!!
I know its not running hot , just possibly earth problem , either to the dash or engine !!!

done it since day 1 of owning it !!!
just need to fit mechanical gauge !!!

Post by **lay80n** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 3:32 pm

moose wrote:mine runs at about 1/4 to 1/2 most days !!
but turn in the head lights , & it runs 1/2 to 3/4 !!!!
I know its not running hot , just possibly earth problem , either to the dash or engine !!!

done it since day 1 of owning it !!!
just need to fit mechanical gauge !!!

Check ya earths moose, mine used to do this, and mated did too. Was stuffed earths in the engine bay.
B4T - If it was running fine before, and slowly getting worse, dont disguise a potential worse problem with a band aid solution. Makes sure that fitting a new radiator is not just hiding a more serious problem.

Layto....

Post by **MUD-PIGSIERRA** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 4:22 pm

I dont know if this has been said too lazy to read everything but mine is sorta doing the same thing running 3/4s when cruising on the highway but cools down when wheeling and driving at slower speeds, You said you are running a thermo fan do you know if it is running when on the highway... i have put mine down to running whilst im cruising at speeds and possibly restricting the flow of air causing it to run a little hotter. It could be your thermo not coming on when it needs to and not turning of when its not needed say when cruising long distance.....

Post by **built4thrashing** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 8:01 pm

i run a thermo fan thet starts working at about 80degs and will hold the engine temp at 80-90 at idle depending on day temp. but when it is running at higher rpm it gets warm. when cruising at 60-70km/h it sits at 95degs but at 90+km/h it goes over 100-120 degs. I know 100 is not that hot but it would just keep climbing if i didnt pull over and let it cool down.

i removed the stock temp sender and now have a speco guage mounted above drivers air vent to keep a better eye on the temp.

Post by **lay80n** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 7:48 am

Have you flushed the radiator core. Try this. Warm it up, then run your hand accross the core. See if there are any spots that are cooler than others. Cold areas indicate blocked areas of the radiator where the warm water is not being allowed to run through. Also get a Tee-Kay test done. This checks for combustion gasses in the cooling system (think Damo mentioned this earlier)

Layto....

Post by **built4thrashing** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 8:48 pm

i think i had a little win.

after a bit of looking at the rad with a can in the hand i think the new front checkerplate panel was blocking off too much air. so after a trim and a bit of an angle i think i have improved the cooling ability but wont know untill i take it for a decent trip on the hwy
will keep ya posted

Post by **Guy** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 9:50 am

built4thrashing wrote:i think i had a little win. after a bit of looking at the rad with a can in the hand i think the new front checkerplate panel was blocking off too much air. so after a trim and a bit of an angle i think i have improved the cooling ability but wont know untill i take it for a decent trip on the hwy
will keep ya posted

What checker plate panel .. got pics of the front ?

Post by **built4thrashing** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 6:57 pm

have cut out a section above the numberplate and given it a slight angle to direct air at the hole

Havent yet taken it for a decent drive

Post by **nicbeer** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 7:24 pm

checkerplate may be ok, would mostly be the nudge bad and spotties doing the harm for airflow i would have thought.

Nic

Post by **built4thrashing** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 7:40 pm

nudge bar and spot lights sit a fair way forward and air can still to rad behind them but the checker plate was blocking air off completely from lower section or radiator. so i cut out a piece above the number plate and also angled the checkerplate to direct the air at it to aid in cooling when moving.

Well thats the idea. lets hope it works

Thu Oct 12, 2006 7:34 pm

MAKE SURE THE FINS ON THE RADIATOR ARNT BENT OVA STOPING THE AIR FROM FLOWUNG THROUHT IT

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