Question
- Thread starter hickmlg09
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Fireball027
Well-known member
Overheating? Is the fan coming on? Electric or clutch fan? When is it having these issues.
454ragtop
Well-known member
What vehicle? Electric fan?
davesnothere
Well-known member
Did you burp it really well? It can be a ***** to get all the air out of those jeeps.
bobcatdan
Well-known member
I'm going to guess it is the jeep. I would lean towards the fan clutch is not locking up since I don't know of 4 leakers having head problems ( but my 4 leaker knowledge is limited). Dumb question, cooling system all burped out after the other repairs?
All I know is it is a 89 Ford and I think it is a electric fan. It's the boyfriends brother truck, so you know I asked if he and his dad installed everything correctly. I want to try and show them up lol and see if I can get some information. The first thing I asked was about the thermostat , but I was told that was new. They are thinking they need to replace the engine for some reason??
Not on Jeep, my jeep run fine.
bobcatdan
Well-known member
The what is it?
Fireball027
Well-known member
Was it overheating before the new stat? or did the put it in backwards?
Need a bit more info, on the vehicle and engine.
Could be stat, air in the system, cooling fan or even a blown head gasket.
Need a bit more info, on the vehicle and engine.
Could be stat, air in the system, cooling fan or even a blown head gasket.
Yes they are...
davesnothere
Well-known member
We just had one come in last week from another shop, where they had installed the t-stat backwards. Ridiculous.
From what I know it wasn't over heating before they replaced everything. Than when they replaced everything it started to overheat. I just wanted some ideas that it may be. I will have to call the boyfriend and ask him all about the engine size.
signcrafter
Well-known member
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- May 9, 2012
- Messages
- 12,359
You never said what kind of problems, overheating, leaking, etc?
If you really want to show them up then buy a stant pressure tester and the right adapter and pressure test it to see if you can find any leaks. Then buy an airlift and refill the system with it to eliminate any air in the system. If you don't want to spend the money on that try a lisle spill free or no spill funnel, it will do most vehicles. If you think you have a blown head gasket then use a block tester. Or a leak down tester.
If you really want to impress them then do a proper diagnoses and tell them exactly what is wrong with it and how much it will cost to fix. Then fix it!
If you really want to show them up then buy a stant pressure tester and the right adapter and pressure test it to see if you can find any leaks. Then buy an airlift and refill the system with it to eliminate any air in the system. If you don't want to spend the money on that try a lisle spill free or no spill funnel, it will do most vehicles. If you think you have a blown head gasket then use a block tester. Or a leak down tester.
If you really want to impress them then do a proper diagnoses and tell them exactly what is wrong with it and how much it will cost to fix. Then fix it!
BD1
Well-known member
Sounds like YOU ARE JUST TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOT for him . 
96snma
Well-known member
It wasn't overheating then they replaced the radiator and thermostat and now it it?
Then it's probably directly related to one of those two things, most likely the thermostat is in backwards or bad from the factor. Unless the new radiator is plugged or hoses weren't run correctly. Also could be a bunch of air in the line.
If it was working fine before they fiddled with it the chances are
one of three things if it isn't leaking anywhere...
1. Thermostat in back to front
2. Air trapped in the system
3. Faulty new thermostat installed (it does happen)
Good luck....
one of three things if it isn't leaking anywhere...
1. Thermostat in back to front
2. Air trapped in the system
3. Faulty new thermostat installed (it does happen)
Good luck....
Well,, if it didn't overheat before they changed the radiator and thermostat, I know what I'd do first.
Check the thermostat for correct installation, then operation in hot water.
Then, verify they got the right parts, both ts and rad.
Next, I'd find out what they did and didn't tell you about.
The problem could be anything from timing, blown head, cracked cast iron, plugged hose, bad pump or air in the system, plus a few others.
Check the thermostat for correct installation, then operation in hot water.
Then, verify they got the right parts, both ts and rad.
Next, I'd find out what they did and didn't tell you about.
The problem could be anything from timing, blown head, cracked cast iron, plugged hose, bad pump or air in the system, plus a few others.
Ha..! Beat me by a few seconds....
Steinmetz
Well-known member
Why would they think that? A cracked block, or warped or cracked cylinder head might cause overheating. You need to provide a little more information.
bobcatdan
Well-known member
A ranger has fan clutch. '89 so it is either a 2.9 v6 or 2.3 4 bangger. I'd pull the tstat out and test it. Was it losing any coolant? 2.9s will crack heads and burn it.
dirtydogintex
Well-known member
4. electric fan wire connection probs - if the fan is electric
85camaro
Banned
There's all kinds of things that can cause overheating. If the thermostat and radiaror are good to go, then check the fan(s), water pump, leaking heater core, ignition timing (if applicable) and for any other possible external leaks.
I'm going to assume it doesn't have a cracked block or blown head gasket since it would never keep any coolant.
I'm going to assume it doesn't have a cracked block or blown head gasket since it would never keep any coolant.
thesilverone
Well-known member
it's a ford?
This thread reminds me of a funny story from the last time I worked with my brother-in-law on his car. He is not mechanically inclined, and I was teaching him about how to change his own oil. We did it together for the first oil change and everything went fine. The second time he wanted to do it alone, so I just asked him questions to make sure he covered all the bases before he test drove the car when he was done. He seemed to be understanding the procedure and understanding why he was doing what he was doing, but he is a very hard to read person in that way.
The third time an oil change was needed on his car I offered my assistance, but he was adamant that he didn't need any help anymore and that he could do it himself. He came in the house when finished and proclaimed that it was done and everything went just fine. I asked him if he pre-wet the filter with oil before installing it, partially pre-filled the filter, put a little oil on the filter gasket, checked the oil level and test drove it after the oil change etc. and he said that he did everything but the test drive and that he would just do that on the way to work the next day. I encouraged him to do it right then, and he treated me like I was just being annoying, but finally went and did it anyways. He got in the car turned the engine on and proceeded to dump over 2 quarts of oil all over his garage floor and driveway before he could be stopped within the first 10 seconds of driving.
Come to find out when he had done the oil change the time before he didn't oil the gasket before installing the filter, and the gasket remained stuck to the block this time when changing the filter and he didn't notice. After screwing on the new filter the extra gasket just bound up and created a big gap between the new filter and block and the engine just dumped the oil all over the floor the second the pump started pumping.
I felt bad for him and tried to help minimize the embarrassment but there is only so much one can do.
That back story leads me now to my out of the box thread specific related questions.
1- Was the thermostat removed from the plastic bag before being installed?
2- Were the plastic debris plugs removed from all the hose ports before the new radiator was installed and the hoses hooked back up?
The third time an oil change was needed on his car I offered my assistance, but he was adamant that he didn't need any help anymore and that he could do it himself. He came in the house when finished and proclaimed that it was done and everything went just fine. I asked him if he pre-wet the filter with oil before installing it, partially pre-filled the filter, put a little oil on the filter gasket, checked the oil level and test drove it after the oil change etc. and he said that he did everything but the test drive and that he would just do that on the way to work the next day. I encouraged him to do it right then, and he treated me like I was just being annoying, but finally went and did it anyways. He got in the car turned the engine on and proceeded to dump over 2 quarts of oil all over his garage floor and driveway before he could be stopped within the first 10 seconds of driving.
Come to find out when he had done the oil change the time before he didn't oil the gasket before installing the filter, and the gasket remained stuck to the block this time when changing the filter and he didn't notice. After screwing on the new filter the extra gasket just bound up and created a big gap between the new filter and block and the engine just dumped the oil all over the floor the second the pump started pumping.
I felt bad for him and tried to help minimize the embarrassment but there is only so much one can do.That back story leads me now to my out of the box thread specific related questions.
1- Was the thermostat removed from the plastic bag before being installed?
2- Were the plastic debris plugs removed from all the hose ports before the new radiator was installed and the hoses hooked back up?
Last edited:
BerninicaCO3
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2007
- Messages
- 164
"4. electric fan wire connection probs - if the fan is electric"
....not crazy.
did my radiator on my 1989 vehicle last November, and the connections wouldn't come undone! The harness was fused to the fan temp switch, and in trying to get it off, just snapped the copper pin off from the switch.
Had to (generic curse) buy a $60 new switch to install into the new radiator. Considered a soldered repair for all of 2 minutes... it wouldn't have held for any time.
Point being, on this car, the switch was in the radiator, and I had to mess with it to replace the radiator.
Not the case on every car, of course.
Two summers ago had a brand new thermostat stick OPEN. Better than closed.. .but took 3 weeks of bad fuel economy for me to really LOOK at the temperature gauge and notice that it never, ever, got to full temperature even in noon on august stuck in traffic.
....not crazy.
did my radiator on my 1989 vehicle last November, and the connections wouldn't come undone! The harness was fused to the fan temp switch, and in trying to get it off, just snapped the copper pin off from the switch.
Had to (generic curse) buy a $60 new switch to install into the new radiator. Considered a soldered repair for all of 2 minutes... it wouldn't have held for any time.
Point being, on this car, the switch was in the radiator, and I had to mess with it to replace the radiator.
Not the case on every car, of course.
Two summers ago had a brand new thermostat stick OPEN. Better than closed.. .but took 3 weeks of bad fuel economy for me to really LOOK at the temperature gauge and notice that it never, ever, got to full temperature even in noon on august stuck in traffic.
Pumpman1968
Well-known member
Is there steam from the tailpipe all the time? Even when its warm? Does it smell sweet in the cab when it runs? Pull the dipstick...see if the oil is green and/or really thin ..... coolant in the oil caused by blown head gasket/warped head.
MN Falcon
Well-known member
If it was working fine before they fiddled with it the chances are
one of three things if it isn't leaking anywhere...
1. Thermostat in back to front
2. Air trapped in the system
3. Faulty new thermostat installed (it does happen)
Good luck....
+1 Good advice. Whenever I do a thermostat I put the old and new in a pan of water and bring it to a boil. Usually the old on with weak spring will open way too soon and the new one should open just before it comes to a boil if using a 195° F Of course the wife will usually come in and ask what I am cooking LOL.
I have seen people install than backward because they open opposite the water flow so people think the water should "push" it open
justanengineer
Well-known member
The coolant is either 1. not circulating, 2. its exiting the system somewhere, or 3. its low on coolant.
Always start with the obvious. If the radiator has a removable cap, take a look inside the radiator. If its not full, fill it and run the engine awhile to see if it stays full or empties. Same thing with the surge tank. Is it at the appropriate level? Once youre done with those, youve won half the battle and answered which of the 3 scenarios from above youre dealing with. If its not circulating, think water pump, thermostat, air or other "clog" in the system. If its exiting somewhere (ie leaking), look in the engine oil pan, look for a drip, or inhale deeply looking for a "sweet" smell. If its low on coolant, make sure you poke fun.
Whenever youre troubleshooting anything, always think mile-high level about how the system works first and identify the key process. In this case, coolant flows between components and absorbs heat from the engine to pass off to the radiator. If the coolant isnt doing this, heat isnt being transferred and your engine overheats. Jumping in quick and pulling parts off to check a thermostat or other component doesnt really do you any good if those parts arent part of the problem, and in the end costs time and money. That isnt troubleshooting its guessing, and many times will get you in deep **** and/or fired depending on the situation.
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1ZlowZ
Active member
check thermostat and radiator cap.
People always skip the radiator cap for some reason...
People always skip the radiator cap for some reason...
Outlawmws
Well-known member
If it was working fine before they fiddled with it the chances are
one of three things if it isn't leaking anywhere...
1. Thermostat in back to front
2. Air trapped in the system
3. Faulty new thermostat installed (it does happen)
Good luck....
on THis ^^^^If the fan is electric did they hook it back up (right)?
get the thermostat out and put it in something you don't care about and "boil" is. it should be wide open once it hits boiling. if not, toss it and replace (Again)
cburnscrx
Well-known member
If it was working fine before they fiddled with it the chances are
one of three things if it isn't leaking anywhere...
1. Thermostat in back to front
2. Air trapped in the system
3. Faulty new thermostat installed (it does happen)
Good luck....
My initial vote is air, but I absolutely have had a faulty thermostat right out of the box. THATS annoying!
Start the motor cold, verify the radiator gets suddenly hot when the thermostat opens. Verify inlet side is hot and outlet side is cooler by a good 20 degrees F.
Engine running lean can overheat, mentioned since I didn't see it.
Engine running lean can overheat, mentioned since I didn't see it.
FunkyfullWidth
Well-known member
I don't know why everyone is jumping to conclusions and saying to buy this or that, or hook up a pressure tester or whatever... This is simple...
Rico nailed it...
didn't have a problem, parts replaced, now has a problem. It's an issue with the install. The belt isn't tight enough, a connector wasn't plugged back in, there isn't enough coolant (it wasn't burped right) or the t stat was put in wrong or is defective. With an 89, how can you screw up upper rad hose, lower rad hose... I doubt hoses weren't routed right. Start with the easiest least intrusive...
check the coolant level, top off if needed.
Check belt tension and/or electrical connections for being tight and connected.
Pull t-stat and either install new one, or install in correct orientation.
anything past that will be a huge coincidence.
Rico nailed it...
didn't have a problem, parts replaced, now has a problem. It's an issue with the install. The belt isn't tight enough, a connector wasn't plugged back in, there isn't enough coolant (it wasn't burped right) or the t stat was put in wrong or is defective. With an 89, how can you screw up upper rad hose, lower rad hose... I doubt hoses weren't routed right. Start with the easiest least intrusive...
check the coolant level, top off if needed.
Check belt tension and/or electrical connections for being tight and connected.
Pull t-stat and either install new one, or install in correct orientation.
anything past that will be a huge coincidence.
I always test the radiator cap first. Then I make sure the fan is working properly, make sure the fan is cooling and not just spinning. Most of the time if you have no heat the thermostat is NG. Also a Temp infared meter is very helpful and will save you a lot of time.http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002YE3FS4/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Steinmetz
Well-known member
I agree. There's something we don't know yet.