Radiator Problems Help Please.

[jjvblack]

So I can't feel any coolant flowing threw my upper or lower radiator hoses. I just flushed it a day ago and the color of the old coolant was a dark green, with almost grayish tint to it. I used a flush solvent and followed instructions, I am pretty sure I ether a)have a blockage of rusty radiator debris or b) have a thermostat that isn't working properly. That or thats just how rabbits water pumps work. Any comments welcome. Also I just recently reconnected my thermo sensor wire, that lights up as soon as I start the car and gets brighter as it warms up... I just went out and checked coolant levels and they dropped about a inch from when I first filled it.

[biturbocurious]

Have you pressurized the system?

[jjvblack]

Have you pressurized the system?

like stick a hose in the top of the radiator to blow it out? No.. The solvent I used said not to do that.... I thought it was weird too, if there was a blockage that might help push it out.

[biturbocurious]

like stick a hose in the top of the radiator to blow it out?

No, like using a schroeder valve on top of the reservior. Your coolant level is likely dropping because you have air in the system. If you think you have a blockage, just buy a new rad. They're $75 or so and you can get the early scirocco style if you want.

[kehoeautomotive]

Your blockage is probably not in the radiator though it's possible. Put a new thermostat in it, run a pressure test and try it again. Fill the car through the upper radiator hose then top off the tank.

You should change the thermostat everytime the car overheats anyway.


My 2 cents.....

[jjvblack]

Well thanks for the tips, I picked up the thermo sensor and a new thermastat, gonna try that first to see if it makes a difference.

[SGLoki]

you should drill a small hole in the T-stat to help purge air bubbles when you install it.

If you find that your radiator is junk I have a used non-overflow one with the cap in almost new condition here in bellingham you could have for $45. I regularly flushed it.

[jjvblack]

Yea I might take you up on that radiator, gonna replace the thermoswitch. I still cant feel any water moving inside the top or bottom hoses. The temp sensor that screws into the well on the left side of the cylinder head(drivers position) will be here on wednesday, parts guy order the wrong one. Its weird though because whenever I hook up the temp sense wire the indicator light on the dash lights up IMMEDIATELY(i have no temp gauge), then gets brighter and brighter as it runs. Bentleys says I have a grounding issue but I unscrewed all ground posts on block and cleaned EVERYTHING off and reattached and the darn thing still lights up, no matter where I touch it. I could touch it to the block or any metal surrounding and the light still lights up.

[cabwood]

I have tried to buy a new thermostat that will work and have not been able to find one, even one I special ordered from vw/audi. Also have tried to buy new radiator fan switches and its the same story. They are all being built by the same company and there is no quality control. If you or someone else had a supplier please email me: docwood@juno.com

[SGLoki]

JJV... It's one of three things:


A bad water pump...

A bad thermostat...

or a clogged block/radiator.

Take the thermostat out, then start the car, if there is no coolant flowing it is your pump and it must be replaced. (I have one of those in my stuff too, but I'd advise you buy a brand new one..they are cheap enough. if you decide to come buy that radiator I'll give you the pump and housing for $10, and a new in box thermostat for $5)



CABWOOD: you are thread jacking... you can buy thermostats from any auto dealer (napa/oreilly) and I have never had a bad one.

Fan switches are another story, there are a few companies making them, and I have gotten bad ones twice.. test them for continuity in a pot of boiling water with a multimeter before you bother to install them.

[naterkane]

i recently pulled a waterpump out of a customer car that was some weird japanese aftermarket brand. the way the impellers were designed made me really curious how that thing could move any water at all. oh yeah, and his car was overheating like a mofo too.