Overheating??

[Erich]

I was taking a trip the other day from San Antonio to McAllen Texas which is a 250 mile trip about. After about an hour of driving I noticed that the temperature gauge was at the "N" in Normal. I turned the heater on full heat the rest of the trip and my car finally died when I got within a block of where I needed to be. It's never done this before and I can't afford to have this problem. Any ideas?

 

[SHOfun 93]

Erich,
I can attest to the high texas heat, and welcome to shoforum. We will do our best to get you through this.

In all likelyhood, it sounds like a stuck thermostat. It is in the housing on the right side of the motor when you are looking at it from the front. Follow the upper radiator hose back to the metal thermostat housing, and it is under there. Remove with the 2 bolts that are on there, take it in the house, boil some water, and see if it opens up. If not, then your thermostat isn't sensing the water temperature rising to open the flow of coolant.

Another possible suspect might be your cooling fan motor, but usually the overheating problems only happen in stop and go driving, as the air flow on the highway is enough to keep the coolant cool in the radiator. I sure hope you didn't crack your block sir..... headbang

 

[Erich]

Ah, thank you very much for that suggestion. It's nearly 9:30 but I'mm gonna take a look ANYWAY. Another friend gave me the suggestion but doesn't know the location of the thermostat. I'll let everyone know how thngs turn out so let hope for the best!

After checking...
Wow, that sucker is hard to reach. My dad and I are gonna give it a try during the daylight hours if possible. Now if only I could find my Chilton's...

<small>[ March 08, 2004, 11:02 PM: Message edited by: Erich ]</small>

 

[projectSHO89]

As long as the temp never got into the red, don't worry about having done any harm to the engine, you didn't.

If the higher-than-normal indication
only occurs while driving at highway speed, look at your front air dam. There is a deflector there, that if missing, will not flow sufficient air through the radiator to cool it.

While stopped, check your fans for proper operation.

Thermostat replacement is relatively easy. there are instructions in the FAQ at www.shotimes.com

Steve

 

[Erich]

Grr, hate my job... I checked what I could during the night, but couldn't extract the thermostat. I messed with the upper hose and gave it a squeeze to see if fluid was possibly inside. When I did squeeze, I could hear clicking coming from the area that the thermostat is located. I hope I get some day time off this week to put some serious work into that.

 

[Erich]

I got the thermostat out. It was bad... The section that faces away from the engine body was BROKEN. I wish I had a digicam to show you what I'm talking about. I'll give scanning a try (right...) because this is unlike anything I've seen before.

&lt;br&gt;

<small>[ March 11, 2004, 04:55 PM: Message edited by: Erich ]</small>

 

[JAY93SHO]

Erich, as I used to be in the parts business I have seen a stat do that before. A customer told me that it happens when there is too much pressure in the system? I dont know for sure, he was a shade tree tech and he may have a few rocks in his head. But just to let you know you are not the only one this has happened to. I do know if that stat was not the correct temp it would surley malfuction after a while, but I dont know about it breaking like that...