cooling problem

[MattTheBat83]

the temp gauge goes at least half way up when i drive on streets. on the high way it goes almost 3/4 to the top. in the last week i have changed the thermostat(180), the fan and clutch(police interceptor) flushed out the radiator and added new coolant. the radiator is less than 3 years old and all i can think is that my water pump is no good. any ideas?

 

[Sicarius428]

Typically if your car is heating up on the freeway, that indication is that the radiator is not able to get rid of the heat. Do you have the piece of plastic that sticks out under the car bolted to the radiator support? You may also have an air bubble in your system which is pretty common for these cars if you just flushed the system.
Kevin

 

[MattTheBat83]

Do you have the piece of plastic that sticks out under the car bolted to the radiator support?

not sure what you mean. this problem was happening before i flushed the radiator so i dont think there is air in the system. i let it run up to temp with the cap off

 

[93lxdm78]

My car ran 3/4 almost all the time.

The radiator wasn't doing its job. I went with a flexlite black magic fan and a afco racing radiator now its 1/4 up sometimes with the ac on in traffic it will go up but still well below the half marker.

Added bonus was the power I gained from ditching that stock fan robs alot of power my throttle response is alot better with it off.

I would at the least get a new oem replacement radiator and the electric fan kit. That should keep your car cool

 

[HISSIN50]

Good ideas above.

Assuming the gauge you're using is mildy accurate, the radiator is a place to look. Did you see lots of scale inside it?

Good luck.

 

[sivart]

not sure what you mean. this problem was happening before i flushed the radiator so i dont think there is air in the system. i let it run up to temp with the cap off

it looks like a buck tooth, if you look under your car and you'll see it, it will be right below your radiator. you should get an aftermarket gauge. did u get a new cap for your rad?

 

[Sicarius428]

The piece of plastic is the air dam that goes under the car(black piece that sticks strait down about 3x36 in). What it does is creates a vacuume in the engine compartment to suck air through the radiator while moving. If you are missing that piece that may be a contributing factor as to why it is running warm at speed. Another thing to check is your radiator cap.
Kevin

 

[MattTheBat83]

the radiator cap is less than a year old and the radiator is about 3 years old. i reused it when i built this engine.

 

[MattTheBat83]

Did you see lots of scale inside it?

what does that mean?

 

[MattTheBat83]

is it possible i put the head gaskets on wrong

 

[HISSIN50]

Scale = mineral deposits inside the radiator. Ever seen a nasty shower door? The same thing can occur inside the radiator.