car overheatting need help please

srtjesse · Post by **srtjesse** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 5:02 pm

hey guys well my car has ben overheatting for a week now my fans are kicking in. the temperatre starts to rise when the car is ideling or at a stop or stuck in trafic but as soon as the car starts to move the temperature drops back to normal but i noticed that my fans are not blowing into the radiator but into the engine is this normal has anyone checked this or have had this happened before any help would be appreciated thanks

spencersummerfield · Post by **spencersummerfield** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 5:08 pm

just some insite mabye. rad fans ARE suposed to blow at the engine. there job is to draw air threw the rad.

not trying to sound smart just saying man. and you might want to check you thermostat make sure it is not stuck open or closed.!!! for the 14 $$ might as well replace it and find out!

srtjesse · Post by **srtjesse** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 11:18 pm

hey thanks man its weird though because as soon as the car starts moving the temp starts to go down at first i tought it was my fans but they are working i asked a mechanich and he said the fans should be blowing to the radiator so he is going to check it out on monday and see whats up but yeah i think now that it could be the thermostat or the water pump ill have to wait till monday thanks

fixitmattman · Post by **fixitmattman** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 1:07 am

Fans don't blow through rads, the pull air through. If they blew air through as soon as you started driving it would work against the fan and you would burn out the fan motor. If it pulls air through the driving doesn't hurt the motor.

Check your fluid level and rad cap. Make sure the cap is sealing properly and appears to be functioning. If in any doubt, change it. No seal = no boil over protection.

srtjesse · Post by **srtjesse** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 1:44 am

thanks man that really helped but yeah my cap is properly sealed and the fluids are runing at normal and required levels thanks

dblsg · Post by **dblsg** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 1:52 am

most likely its the thermostat... if it was the water pump, it would overheat even when the car was in motion. and the cap needs to be able to hold a certain psi. so it might look like its sealed, but in reality it could be not.

but like i said, most likely its the ts. you could just take it out and run the car without it, but i would only do that if it was an emergency. their not that expensive so you should just replace it. when you do replace it, make sure you put it facing the right way because ther one directional.

srtjesse · Post by **srtjesse** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 2:03 am

thanks man yeah its begining to sound like it is the thermostat i found them for about 14 15 dollars so it ill be my sunday project to get my cucaracha runing again

kbobob · Post by **kbobob** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 2:38 pm

i've had both the thermostat and water pump go bad on my car, fun stuff. definately sounds like thats the problem though.

when it happened to me i was able to jump on the highway and get to the dealer without overheating the car, seems like enough air was getting forced through the rad.

TomZ · Post by **TomZ** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 5:45 pm

Get the stock temp t-stat, the emissions system is calibrated to that temp. Make sure you get a new 'O' ring. No sealant is needed. Don't over tighten the two bolts holding the housing down. It's a quick job. While you're at it, check your hoses too.

OB · Post by OB » Sun Feb 18, 2007 6:15 pm

yeah therm is prob stuck closed. the added air flow thru the rad at speed is keeping temps down.

Post by **racer12306** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 6:34 pm

depending on how old the car is, i cant tell from the sig pic.

it maybe the radiator. if the thermostat doesnt fix it, then i would change the rad.

it wouldnt be a bad idea to setup a garage here and/or put your car info in your sig.

TomZ · Post by **TomZ** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 7:36 pm

Another possibility is your Coolant Temperature Sensor. If it's bad, your fans won't run. I know you said your fans run BUT... If your A/C, or defrost is selected (even if you don't select the A/C side of the fan switch,), the CTS is taken out of the loop and the fans run. I'd change the t-stat first. CTS next, then I'd suspect a partially clogged radiator. A good backflush using the Prestone backflush kit, and a e good chemical flush might solve a clogged radiator. Remember to add coolant/anti-freeze at no more than 60% coolant/40% water. Check your owner's manual for the proper type coolant If you're really anal, use distilled water.

srtjesse · Post by **srtjesse** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 10:07 pm

yeah im just going to replace everithing i found the coolant temp censor for 21.99 bucks the thermostat for 6.99 and the water pump for 69.99 and i have a spare radiator at home so ill just replase everithing thank all of you for all the help

Post by **racer12306** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 10:31 pm

no need to replace it all. start with one at a time. no need to replace parts that are still good.

dblsg · Post by **dblsg** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:40 am

^ if it aint broken.... spend the money on modding

srtjesse · Post by **srtjesse** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 10:29 pm

well i have good and bad news nothings seems to be broken but i found out what was wrong the car is leaking water so its going to the mechanic on saturday thanks for all the help

oklamopar · Post by **oklamopar** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 11:56 pm

where is it leaking from?

srtjesse · Post by **srtjesse** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 10:24 pm

i still dont know it looks like its from the radiator or the lower radiator hose where it conects with the engine