'94 Eclipse runs really hot at highway speeds

[threehorn]

Hi,
Let me give you a brief history of this car:

My boyfriend and I bought it from my cousin, who maintained it pretty well, the motor is in great condition, but he abruptly stopped using it and it sat outside for a long time.
It ran great with us for a long while until my bf decided to change the coolant and oil. We were driving along the night after and suddenly the car started running hot.
Well pull over and I notice the fans are not coming on so maybe the alternator, or other electrical problem. Let it cool and took off again to tryyy to make it home, I heard the alternator belt snap at 55mph, and it overheated on us within a couple of minutes.

We replaced the belt, drained the coolant in case there was air, replaced that, everything seemed fine but the car ran normal sometimes, a little hot other times.

That was during the winter months, but now that it's getting really hot with summer fast approaching, the car will run really hot if traveling on the highway for more than 10 minutes. It's fine in stop-go traffic in town but we have to take the highway to get to work.
After this happened I don't know how many times I rode with him to work one day and saw just how hot the car gets after like 10 minutes so now we only take my car.

My bf told me he doesn't plan on keeping the car anyways but I know he wants to fix it up deep down (he goes back and forth a lot) and he will regret damaging the engine like this after my cousin took such good care of it.
He said he did some research and thinks that the water pump is the main culprit since everything else seems to be in working order. He told me that it also accounts for his squealing belts on startup and for a few seconds after also. Not really sure how that works. I'm thinking he should get a new thermostat also because it did kind of act weird after we changed the coolant.

We're waiting on a new water pump and this jerk wants to use this car to get to work anyways, with it running so hot, on the verge of boiling over and I'm like

Does the water pump sound like what the problem could be?
Much thanks

 

[miliman13]

It does sound like the water pump. Based on the observation of it heating when the engine is in rev/ load.
If at all possible, when you replace the water pump, get one that has "fins" similar to a turbo, rather than a disc , they come in both. "fins will provide better fluid flow"

. take this time to get a new thermostat preferably one that "opens" on failure /rather "closing" on failure * it only cost a couple dollars more, really worth it.


when your done, fill the radiator with new fluid and let it run for 15-30 minutes with the cap off, to allow all the air bubbles trapped inside to make their way to the atmosphere. best of luck. here are the examples ...

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[threehorn]

miliman, Thanks alot!

 

[miliman13]

That's why i'm here. " Go Texas "

 

[gusu]

miliman, Thanks alot!

These guys are more than likely correct and I'll explain why.

When your water pump goes more often than not the "wheel" type thing that the pulley bolts to becomes "loose". I would use part names but I'm not sure everyone who may read this in the future will know what pieces we are talking about. When this happens the pulley literally wobbles around causing the most ungodly screeching sound and eventually the belt will break. Most of the time you will find it wrapped around the axle.

The water pump is easy, but the catch is the timing belt is a pain in the ass and it's something you are defiantly going to want to do at the same time. Luckily both are supposed to be changed every 60k miles.

 

[miliman13]

just had to get one more tech post, didn't you. ?

 

[WES_393]

I agree that it sounds like an issue with the water pump, but we should rule out any other possibilities first.

Does the car have an intercooler mounted behind the front bumper (like the one in my avatar)? If so, the intercooler could be limiting airflow to the radiator at highway speeds.

Does the engine leak any coolant or need to be topped-off every so often?
If the coolant level drops but you can't find any leaks, it could be a blown headgasket.

 

[phunny]

I agree on the HG being more of an issue than the pump. Just take it to a shop and have them check, won't cost more than $40 and you'll know for sure.

 

[Jakes 93GSX]

It could be the waterpump or it might would be a good idea to check the thermostat. The Thermostat might be stuck close or about to go bad. Also check the fuses for the fans.

 

[MagicKief]

Sounds like water pump but check the tstat also

 

[roboron13]

Sounds like what was goin on wit my 420a!!! If u have to add the tiniest bit of water everyday, its goin to be the h.g. poorly designed by chrysler. Just baby the car till u can change h.g. and use water wetter in pure water, helps to stay cooler!!!

 

[miliman13]

gezz people really. ?
is this how so many of you, have so many "Tech-Post" . Were just gonna keep repeating the same answer over and over .....and over again?
why write it if the question has already been answered. ?

* if you have new "probabilities" . please post them. whether they compliment or contradict mine or anyone else's answer.


* Don't be a "plagiarist" let's keep new ideas coming !

 

[StarFawkes]

just had to get one more tech post, didn't you. ?

That's why i'm here. " Go Texas "

is this how so many of you, have so many "Tech-Post"

Uh, what?