overheating and final problem

bulachip · 05-20-2003, 01:32 PM

I have been noticing that my 83na has been running really hot in stop and go trafic and also at a dead stop. Finally today while I was trying to put it on the ramps for an oil change, I saw steam comming from under my hood. I turned the car off and got out to find that coolant was steadly streaming out. Does this mean that my radiator is gone? It did not seem to be comming from the radiator from the passanger's side of the engine about two feet behing the radiatior..

Please help!!!!!

Lawrence Coppari · 05-20-2003, 01:52 PM

That is where your reservoir is located and where it will vent when too hot.

First, you have to determine whether your fans are running. Are they?

Your radiator could be blocked; it could be a bad water pump; it could be a stuck thermostat; it could be that the fans are not running. Since it did it in slow driving, it could be the fans or it could be the water pump. My bet is that the fans are inoperative due to a blown fuse or bad relay.

Determine if the fans are running.

bulachip · 05-20-2003, 01:59 PM

I see one of the fans running but I think the other might not be could this be?? Also what kind of collant does my car take so i can re fill it??

bulachip · 05-20-2003, 02:12 PM

Also I am having trouble taking the coolant cap off it does come off right? this is where the coolant goes right??

bulachip · 05-20-2003, 02:46 PM

Ok I got the coolant in and have noticed that my fans are not going on. At what point should they normally go on, what point of the engine temp guage?

thanks
sorry for my lack of knowlage I am just starting!!

Brando · Brando's Garage

You turn it 1/4 a turn counter-clockwise and you'll hear it click, then let any steam come out. Then push down and turn another 1/4 CCW and it should come off.

I just had the same thing happen today! it looks like mine isn't the only 83 n/a that has a cooling issue!

Also, when it's sitting there without the engine running, only one fan will be on (or mine also only has one fan running). Although, when it is running both fans should come on. Also, turning on the A/C will turn both fans on to full-speed (if you want to cool it off a bit faster while parked).

I'm having the same issue as bulachip, except there appears to be no leaks. Someone suggested in a similar thread... replace the radiator, try flushing the coolant... I'm debating taking it to a specialist and having them clean it out (what's your reccommendation peoples?) or buying a new one.

Roger Hall · 05-20-2003, 03:42 PM

All good advise, but if your temp guage never got into the red then it could be a bad radiator cap. Since your is leaking water my guess is the radiator cap is bad. Its a cheap repair. Since the cap will not hold pressure or coolant in as the coolant leaks out the temp will rise.

Lawrence Coppari · 05-20-2003, 03:47 PM

My fans go on when needle is in 9 o'clock position. Mine is a 951. Both fans come on at this point. Yours might not work the same way.

Your car would take the green antifreeze, 50/50 with water. If you don't mix the antifreeze with water, it will not cool as well. Cars of your vintage use the green stuff mixed 50/50 with water. Some prefer distilled water to tap water.

I don't know where the bleed screw is on your car. It's right on top of the block where the water exits the head on the way to the radiator via metal and rubber hoses for a 951. If you have air in your system, that could also cause cooling problems.

Paul Glasson · Paul Glasson's Garage

I had a problem where my Aircon did not turn off when car was switched off.Pulled the relays in that circuit out to check if contacts had fused. How ever on putting relay back fitted it in wrong slot alongside (you need to be a contortionist to get to relays). and overheated my vehicle with the same symptoms you mentioned, but did see that the temp gauge went to virtually max. Auto electrician/agents found relay in wrong slot which prevented fan coming in. Temperature switch on radiator and aircon relay were replaced at a cost but was happy as I had not cooked motor.Relatively cheap for you to replace both as they are in the fan circuit, just get relay in right slot.Agents say gauge should go about 2/3 for fan to kick in.

Lawrence Coppari · 05-21-2003, 02:58 AM

Check to see if your fans are turning in the correct direction.

kamikaze · 05-21-2003, 06:58 AM

yea I had the same problem. I bought the car and as long as I kept it moving and did not sit at a light for more than 2 or 3 min it would be fine. then I changed the thermostat to solve this problem and it runs hot all the freaking time. but both of my fans kick on so It cools down. I am gonna change the thermostat again tonight.

bulachip · 05-21-2003, 07:22 AM

I dicovered that the fans were not turning on. I now simply turn the ac which automatically turns on the fans when driving. Is this going to be an OK temp fix untill have enough time to address the problem? The ac does not work it just blows outside temp air

Lawrence Coppari · 05-21-2003, 08:25 AM

OK temporary fix. You won't hurt anything.

Roger Hall · 05-21-2003, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bulachip
I dicovered that the fans were not turning on. I now simply turn the ac which automatically turns on the fans when driving. Is this going to be an OK temp fix untill have enough time to address the problem? The ac does not work it just blows outside temp air

You will be fine, It may not be that great on your a/c though. Your problem is the temp switch. Order one and replace it this weekend. There are two problems if you forget to turn on the a/c and if the a/c compressor is not being luricated properly because the freon/oil charge is low. The car should cool properly while moving so I would only run the a/c when necessary.

Lawrence Coppari · 05-22-2003, 03:29 AM

If your AC is not working, your AC clutch is more than likely not engaging so the compressor is not turning over. If that is the case, there is no lubrication problem with the compessor because it remains off. There is a pressure switch that will not allow clutch to energize if Freon pressure is low. This saves compressor. You can determine whether your AC compressor is turning over by looking at the pulley on it. If the end of the pulley turns, clutch is engaged. If it is not turning, clutch is not engaged and compressor is not turning. If it is not turning, you can run the fans all you want with no effect on compressor.

Before you go out and purchase a temperature switch you should check to see if that is the cause. Buying stuff without determining if it is the culprit is a waste of money.

Remove the two wires from the temperature switch. Connect one to the other. The fans should come on. If they do not, your problem is elsewhere and replacing the swich might not help.

Roger Hall · 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lawrence Coppari

Before you go out and purchase a temperature switch you should check to see if that is the cause. Buying stuff without determining if it is the culprit is a waste of money.

Remove the two wires from the temperature switch. Connect one to the other. The fans should come on. If they do not, your problem is elsewhere and replacing the swich might not help.

Good advise, but the temp switch is bad and your compressor can still run with a low charge. Even if the charge isn't low enough to cause the pressure switch to turn off your compressor off its still not a good idea to run the a/c with a low charge.

Gordon Rankin · 05-23-2003, 04:19 AM

Still, until you find the source of the "leak" German rubber sucks, you cannot pressurize the system if you have a leak,. You need to follow the liquid to its source and correct that. It might be a hose, water pump bearing, bad cap or leaking seal.
Also, check the fuses to dee if that is the problem, Only the drivers side fan should be cooling the system.