overheating problem

[stevepeanut]

My car is getting really hot when used. I bought an electric fan kit which has helped a bit. The last couple of times I used it, there have been pools of water underneath when I park it on the drive. I think there might a tiny hole in the rad, cos I can see steam coming out of it if I open the bonnet.

 

What I need to know is possible causes of overheating. I am running a standard crossflow 1600 with an ashley pipe and K&N filter.

 

I'm wondering if its a 30 year old radiator not doing its job properly and failing to provide adequate cooling. I was thinking of ordering one of those fancy £200 aluminium radiators next month. But dont want to buy that if something else is causing my overheating. The system has been flushed with a hose and it has a new thermostat.

[Deano1351]

Could be water pump knackered

[razersedge]

could be thermostat not opening or rad cap and it will also get warmer if the cooling system is not pressurized and might not open the thermostat till it gets hotter (don't no why but one of my cars was doing it) till i changed the rad cap

[caprinerd]

also get this probs if the head asket goes

[Vista]

You say you've flushed the rad, just because you get water going through it doesn't mean you've got sufficient flow.

 

Unless you've got a seriously uprated engine, you don't need an ally rad and don't need to spend anything like £200. Just get your existing rad recored (if it is indeed the rad that's the problem).

[stevepeanut]

You say you've flushed the rad, just because you get water going through it doesn't mean you've got sufficient flow.

 

Unless you've got a seriously uprated engine, you don't need an ally rad and don't need to spend anything like £200. Just get your existing rad recored (if it is indeed the rad that's the problem).

 

what drew me to the ally rad, was an article in one of the ford mags, where they compared it to a standard radiator, and it was running something like 10% cooler with the ally rad

[Vista]

Agreed but if your engine is standard or even if it's mildly tuned, the standard rad should be fine, at most get a higher specced core fitted.

[vibrating_Cake]

Agreed but if your engine is standard or even if it's mildly tuned, the standard rad should be fine, at most get a higher specced core fitted.

 

i run my zetec on the standard capper rad!

 

 

steam coming out, you tried a new rad cap (2.50 local moto factors)

if that doesnt solve it, new thermostat.

 

if that doesnt solve it, come back to the expensive things.

 

if there is steam coming out, theres a leak!

[MightySprocket]

mines mildly tuned and gets hammered and doesnt get too warm with a standard rad and a viscous fan.. just get a decent standard rad

[stevepeanut]

plenty ads in the mags for the fancy ally rads, but where can I buy a standard one?

[vibrating_Cake]

ebay =)

 

no way of fitting a sierra twincam big rad?

[mk1seymoore]

if your rad cap isnt holding pressure , they usually leak . if your water pumps gone you will find your rad never gets overly hot . as for your head gasket a good test is to take it to a garage and get them to stick the exhaust gas anyliser probe in the top of the rad ... if it picks up any hydro carbons from the unburnt fuel then your head gaskets on the way out good luck with it

[countrybumpkin]

i'd say find the leak and fix it first if theres a leak its likly the coolant system wont pressurise, if it dosnt it will overheat, if you can get hold of a prussure tester you can check the cap and the system to make sure there holding prussure next check the thermostate run the with the rad cap off untill it gets hot if the thermostate opens you should see water flow in the rad, water pumps rarely give trouble other than worn bearing so unless its making a noise i'd say its ok, one other thing have you check that your fan is actualy working right turning the right way cutting in etc? it should be tight to the rad core or inside a cowl aswell