'90 Over heating
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
'90 Over heating
I have a '90 auto with a Ron Davis duel core radiator, I drove back from Palm Desert to Phoenix last week. Temps stayed in the 210-225 range throughout the California and Arizona desert, when I arrived in Phoenix I
hit traffic temps soared to 250+ had to pull off the freeway lift the hood and let it cool down. 195 Thermostat
My mechanic stated the radiator is clogged, when I spoke with Ron Davis's shop technician he stated it sounded like I had an airflow problem not a radiator problem. He did not try to sell me another $700.00 radiator.
Fans come on with the A/C plus there is a sensor to turn the fans on at 200 and off at 180, the relays appear to be ok.................
Thanks for the help
hit traffic temps soared to 250+ had to pull off the freeway lift the hood and let it cool down. 195 Thermostat
My mechanic stated the radiator is clogged, when I spoke with Ron Davis's shop technician he stated it sounded like I had an airflow problem not a radiator problem. He did not try to sell me another $700.00 radiator.
Fans come on with the A/C plus there is a sensor to turn the fans on at 200 and off at 180, the relays appear to be ok.................
Thanks for the help
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 111
From: Cherokee National Forest TN
Perhaps it sucked up a plastic bag & it is blocking air flow.
Is the rad tank full when checked with a cold engine? If not the radiator cap may have failed or there may be a leak in the cooling system. If no liquid on the ground under the car head gaskets are suspect.
Have both fan relay ground wires connected together on my 90, both run at 228* coolant temp or when the AC is working.
Is the rad tank full when checked with a cold engine? If not the radiator cap may have failed or there may be a leak in the cooling system. If no liquid on the ground under the car head gaskets are suspect.
Have both fan relay ground wires connected together on my 90, both run at 228* coolant temp or when the AC is working.
Last edited by Churchkey; Sep 28, 2012 at 09:04 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 838
Likes: 2
From: Louisville Ky
you should verify your temp gage if it is the original, or if you have an aftermarket temp sender. a new temp sender I had was 20* higher than original. a/c condenser should be checked for dirt, debris. bug carcasses are insulators. you probably already did all that.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 14
From: Nampa Idaho
How long were you stuck in traffic? Mine gets up there if I'm sitting still, but goes way down when I'm moving again!
How old is your radiator? Shouldn't be plugged up yet! I still have the original radiator in my 90.
You can open the cap and then get it up to running temps and you should be able to see the coolant flowing if it's not plugged.
How old is your radiator? Shouldn't be plugged up yet! I still have the original radiator in my 90.
You can open the cap and then get it up to running temps and you should be able to see the coolant flowing if it's not plugged.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
Contacted Performance radiator referred by the tech at Ron Davis radiator he also stated is sounded like I have an air flow problem (Not enough fan speed in traffic) to cool down the engine and return to 200-225* temps.
So I have begun my search for fans that pull 6500-7500 cfm's when setting in traffic and the engine hits the 230* mark or sooner.
I would appreciate any and all recommendations to ensure the ongoing over heating problem is resolved once and for all.
Thank you
So I have begun my search for fans that pull 6500-7500 cfm's when setting in traffic and the engine hits the 230* mark or sooner.
I would appreciate any and all recommendations to ensure the ongoing over heating problem is resolved once and for all.
Thank you
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 12
From: Chicago Executive Airport, formerly known as Palwaukee
No-IL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
I believe the Ford Taurus fan set-up moves a whole bunch of air. Much more than the C4 stock ones. Certain Lincoln models also will work.
Let google be your friend.
I also remember these fans being very CHEAP. Salvage yard fans might run $50.00.
Let google be your friend.
I also remember these fans being very CHEAP. Salvage yard fans might run $50.00.
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Lubbock, Texas
You really ought to pull the upper radiator support (the housing over the radiator) and look for obstructions; it's about a 15 minute job. You might find an obstruction. As was mentioned earlier, they're bad about sucking up plastic or paper sacks as the air intake is very low to the ground, just behind the bumper. It's such an easy thing to check that you should look there first, and it would explain your symptoms.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 111
From: Cherokee National Forest TN
A stock 90 gauge reads high & no digital read out until later years. Unless you have an aftermarket temp gauge knowing what the coolant temp actually is = SWAG. A good 16# pressure cap will keep the coolant in the system until 260*.