Getting hot but radiator is cold??!!!

[3literpwr]

Guys I have a fresh engine in my talon rally car and decided to take it out for a spin around the block tonight. The car got real hot! so I went home and I pulled in the garage and the radiator was cold but the motor was boling hot and my overflow bottle was over flowing! The car was fine a few days ago just not sure what could have happend?

Themostat, rad, waterpump are all new? also have tripack 11 fans.... Just cant figure out why it would not pump coolant..(if thats what was wrong)


larry

 

[BUCK]

My guess is Thermostat in upside down - we all do it at least once! Could just be stuck shut. Damn man - why not let a fresh motor sit there & idle for a while - check gauges - check for leaks - etc...

- THEN take it around the block!

 

[GTM]

Originally posted by 3literpwr
Guys I have a fresh engine in my talon
...
Themostat, rad, waterpump are all new? also have tripack 11 fans.... Just cant figure out why it would not pump coolant..(if thats what was wrong)

Almost any time you have an overheat condition you should recheck the headgasket torque. Who did the engine and the other work?

Things you should check are the cooling system is completely filled including the heater. Fan switch should turn on and off. With heater on and A/C on both cooling fans should come on. Heat should be coming from heater. If any of these conditions fails you need to fix and move on to the next item.

My guess is you never got the engine properly bled and without enough water the temp gage won't register, without circulation the fan would not turn on plus nothing would be cooled so even if you had a bypass switch it would do no good. Yes it's possible the t'stat is no good, yes possible belt is broken or loose, and same for w/p.

Let us know what your find.

Cheers,
GTM

 

[jott5555]

that or you have a clog in your water line, retorque the head. check thermostat make sure you get new rad hoses. also you may just have a air bubble trapped in the car i like to get it run with the coolant cap off then slowly fill it let the tstat open and fill it more and more till its full

 

[x628x]

something similar happened to my car just after i bought it and it was the turbo coolant lines.

 

[DSMWillyb]

If the radiator is cool/cold then that means that the coolant is not circulating. Deffinitly a trouble shooting problem. My guess - thermostat or H20 pump... good luck...

 

[kpt4321]

I second thermostat or water pump.

Probably either a bad themostat, or installed wrong.

 

[3literpwr]

Well I put 30 mile on it befoer this happend, all of whick where fine.....
Its real cold in michigan like 0 the last few nights there is a chance that it froze or sludged up a bit..... All the cooling parts are new..... rad, fans, thermo, h2o pump..... I think that the h20pump may have faild for unknown reasons... unless of corse it was trying to pump slush.....

I didnt have the right mix in the motor as I planed to change all fluides
before the first rally......

Thanks for the input guys......

Larry
#622 scca rally

 

[GTM]

Originally posted by 3literpwr

Its real cold in michigan like 0 the last few nights there is a chance that it froze or sludged up a bit
...
I didnt have the right mix in the motor as I planed to change all fluides
...

Nuttin like omitting a couple of details, ZERO degrees and not knowing the anti-freeze mix... don't sweat the small s..t.

For $2 you can buy a cheap antifreeze squeeqe ... It really bugs me spending my time when you people don't include important facts and have people racking their brains trying to help and you know it's damned cold outside. Makes me wonder if you didn't already know what the problem was and just didn't want to check because it's warmer and the light is better where the computer is. We can't see, we can't feel, we can't hear... all we have is your words.

Cheers,
GTM

 

[3literpwr]

Sorry I didnt include all the details but trying to finish this car before sno-drift has been a challenge...... There are many things too do between building and tuning shocks, tuning a motor for A 40mm restrictor, setting alingment, having a log book issued for the car, Getting many tires for the tow vehicle and trailer, plus all the logistics of going ralling.... So its easy to mis a detail or two when your in panic mode after you sent in you $575.00 entry fee and your car wont pump coolant just prior to the event! I would not dare to waste your precious time GTM........


Larry Parker

I

 

[GTM]

Originally posted by 3literpwr
Sorry I didnt include all the details but trying to finish this car before sno-drift has been a challenge......
...
and your car wont pump coolant just prior to the event! I would not dare to waste your precious time GTM........
...

You had 5 people from all over the U.S. trying to help you. We don't always look at where you(sgl/pl) live and take this into consideration. You have a fresh motor and in your haste skipped basic steps which may have jeapordized it's intergity namely letting it warm up to where the fans come on. When it's cold you throw a newspaper in front of the radiator and force the engine to get warm while you check for oil leaks, belt tensions, or top rad hose etc.

This is a resource where people share an interest in cars and it's up to you to communicate and while you may be embarassed at the oversite shouldn't burn bridges because you don't choose to fall on a proverbial sword. Commenting about all the $$$money spent and yet failing to protect the investment with a $2.00 tool and self discipline would seem to not be prudent. This is just one oversite can there be others... While I can appreciate that you want to go play, getting snippy with me won't win you brownie points. Try that next time you visit the Doctor's office while asking for help.

Cheers,
GTM

 

[3literpwr]

Gtm im sorry if I ticked you off, but you shouldnt be so quick to jump on the back of fellow posters because of a simple mistake like that.............

I new my mix was weak but didnt think it would freeze in my insulated garage, but its my first winter in this house and I guess it sure does get cold......

Larry

 

[GTM]

Originally posted by 3literpwr
Gtm im sorry if I ticked you off, but you shouldnt be so quick to jump on the back of fellow posters because of a simple mistake like that.............

I new my mix was weak but didnt think it would freeze in my insulated garage, but its my first winter in this house and I guess it sure does get cold......

I usually respond to posts where no one want's to deal with them for what ever the reason. Some are quite bizzare with the least amount of info such as "my car leaks oil what do I do?" When you get a bunch of these in a row it corrupts your sense of humor and/or objectivity. It was YOUR day in the barrel plus it demonstrated the point of providing adequate info which will help in solving the problem. Though I don't live in freezing clim I've spent time in that environment and the moment you said slush was the givewawy for I've been there.
The car heater migh have been the first clue you didn't have water circulation for it bypasses the t'stat, it also is a good indication if you don't have a good fill in the radiator for they are hard to prime once drained.
.................

Came across a great article on building a garage heater which burns waste oil if you are going to be spending your evenings in sub freezing temps. It won't bring it up to shirt sleeve temp but kicks out some 20-40k btu/hr using a scrap hot water heater tank and flue which give it a fairly small foot print.
edit:
http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_library/ethanol_motherearth/me4.html

Cheers,
GTM