1988 cooling problem
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8
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From: marshall texas
1988 cooling problem
running hot.. fan running fine.. changed out the thermostat, no difference.. old thermostat checked out ok.. no movement in the radiator as should be at operating temp.. keeps running hot according to temp gauge.. pulled the water pump.. looks good.. impellers are fine. no blockage..no blockage in radiator, hoses. what am I missing ??
any suggestions would be great.. thanks
any suggestions would be great.. thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Originally Posted by texasduke
..... should there not be movement of the water in the radiator when the thermostat opens (195) ?
Does the '88 have both digital and analog temp gages? If, so do
both gages agree? Digital gage is the more accurate of the two.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 442
Likes: 23
From: Seattle Washington
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: marshall texas
my 88 has digital dash .. used to show up as @ 190 on the temp .. the fan kicks in .. and turns fine.. but I have not seen the water move in the radiator since I first noticed the temp going up .. just driving it steadily climbs up as I'm driving never have had this happen
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
[QUOTE=J W Drew............My guess the reason your operating temp went up is you collected garbage on the front side of your radiator.[/QUOTE]
Good suggestion..... check for debris blocking air flow. But debris would not be the cause of the coolant not flowing.
Good suggestion..... check for debris blocking air flow. But debris would not be the cause of the coolant not flowing.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Cooling is not rocket science........ all that is needed is air flow and coolant flow..... block one or both, and you will overheat.
The only adverse condition you see is the lack of coolant flow. The only items that control flow are the tstat, pump, hoses. If the tstat is not opening, you have a problem. If the pump is not moving coolant, you have a problem. If a hose is collapsed, you have a problem.
The only adverse condition you see is the lack of coolant flow. The only items that control flow are the tstat, pump, hoses. If the tstat is not opening, you have a problem. If the pump is not moving coolant, you have a problem. If a hose is collapsed, you have a problem.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8
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From: marshall texas
seabright.. that is my thinking.. just never had it run this hot,..
and the normal operating temp might be higher..
I only let it get to 212 it was still climbing.. had just never had it go that high except then the radiator got a huge hole in it. and had to replace it..
thanks for all the help/suggestions.. real witch taking the water pump off..
if none of these make a difference.. one person suggested it might be trying to blow head gasket or some other "engine" problem.. still has me stumped on the water movement.. .. again.. thanks.
and the normal operating temp might be higher..
I only let it get to 212 it was still climbing.. had just never had it go that high except then the radiator got a huge hole in it. and had to replace it..
thanks for all the help/suggestions.. real witch taking the water pump off..
if none of these make a difference.. one person suggested it might be trying to blow head gasket or some other "engine" problem.. still has me stumped on the water movement.. .. again.. thanks.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 361
Likes: 6
212 is cold in traffic. ECM controls the fan on at 228 and 230 is normal sitting in a traffic jam in Southern California. If your fans were coming on earlier then someone changed the tune to do so. I believe the aux fan switch is 238, but I replaced mine before measuring temp with a lower temp switch.
If you want the fan to come on at a lower temp find a tuner and have them change it on the chip. Mine is now set to come on at 210 and off at 185.
If you want the fan to come on at a lower temp find a tuner and have them change it on the chip. Mine is now set to come on at 210 and off at 185.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,485
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From: Clearwater Florida
..... Check for trash in between the radiator and A/C condenser ... you have to open up the top half of the shroud to get at it ... I go in there at least once a year and I'm always surprised at what I find .....
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 442
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From: Seattle Washington
If your looking for coolant flow while at idle speed, you won't see movement. Have someone increase the RPM's while you eyeball the coolant in the neck. Take it for a short drive and see how hot it gets. If you get up to 240 shut it down. My guess is, based on the info you have supplied, you will not over heat. Who ever suggested a head gasket problem is wrong.
Team Owner
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I thought you were at 260°F.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Seattle Washington
