cmanns

I notice the dashboard coolant temp skyrocket. Don't these ecu's use two temp sensors?

Once we do notice it's pinging as high as it goes were ususally stopped I feel hoses. Sometimes near the rad inlet it's slightly cold, bottoms same temp as rad feeling. Like no coolant's moved but the belts are fine

Not loosing coolant or anything, what could this be

camaroinoh

Well the fan should be running if not better diag. That hoses should be warm if not and doesnt fill like water circulating could be your water pump or thermistat start by getting fans working prop then if still getting hot thermistat then water pump

the solitaire

Should be, could be, skyrockets blazing...

In order to be able to be somewhat precize numbers will be required.

Without numbers your stat appears to be working since the hose is hot.
Water just does not go through the rad, otherwise that would be hot as well.

step 1: Open the radiator cap
step 2: start engine and wait untill the stat reaches it's operational temperature (195 degrees by default)
step 3: Peer through opening to see if coolant flows

If not, remove radiator, flush, refill, repeat steps 1 thorugh to 3.

If no improvement replace radiator. (before spending money on expensive parts, test without thermostat installed. Coolant should flow from the moment you start the engine)

As for the fan, does it run when the A/C is switched on?
If yes, the fan works. If no, fan is faulty.

If the fan runs, ait untill the coolant reaches 234 degrees. The fan should switch on automatically now.

If it does not, there's a problem.

Does the temp gauge in the car show a temperature?
If yes, the temp switch works. If the fan does run with A/C but not at 234 degrees, check relais, otherwise somethings wrong with your ECM.

Fans in these cars are ECM controlled.

I think that should be about correct.

cmanns

the solitaire thanks man
Now that sounds like a good diagnostic procedure.

I'll try the fan next with AC, I think we'll just wire it to an aftermarket controller but the rad doesn't get one bit warm while sitting in driveway or going around the block.

They did put bars radiator stop leak (PO) we found a bottle half used in the back seat....

The upper rad hose being warm = t stats working? The upper rad hose feels well over 200 deg, burns my hand touching it and I can tell temps pretty good with my hand. The coolant surges with bubbles when it's shut off like the waters boiling (Used to have a turbo car, sounds like when the water would boil in my turbo)

I'll check it out soon and see about if the rad is clogged

henryd3

iTrader: (128)

If you have the 5.0 TBI engine with the single fan, the computer has absolutely nothing to do with the fan operation. It is activated through a relay either by turning on the AC or the temperature controlled switch in the passenger side head. Radiator won't get hot until the thermostat opens and releases hot water from the engine into it. If it doesn't open at all temps will rise pretty quickly and stay that way since it's getting no cooler water from the radiator. When it opens, the upper hose should quickly get hot and the temps should drop on the gauge

one92rs

iTrader: (5)

you need to find a way to check the temp on the upper part of the radiator where the upper hose goes in. then check the temp of the lower hose which should be cooler but still be hot. if you lower hose is cool instead of warm then the radiator is plugged up. the top hose will get hot but it should still be plyable. if the upper hose is rock hard then the rad is plugged.

cmanns

I have no way to actually check the temp, I just know the upper hose feels an upwards of 250 after running for 15 minutes or so.

With the upper hose untouchable by anybody the lower feels cool, same temp as rad.

So I'd maybe say rad is clogged, feels like the heat is absorbing from the engine up through the upper rad hose. With it off it'll be blazing hot in middle but cooler by rad inlet, then give it 5-10 mins and the whole thing is untouchable but the rad is still cool.

I'll be checking out the car again in awhile. Needs a new starter before we can keep testing

cmanns

I went to open the rad cap. Empty.

My other theroy was right, the owners mechanic friend told him to leave it running and it'll stop smoking....yeah it ate all the coolant.

I filled er up, 5qts. No smoke out the tbi, exhaust. After a few mins it was pouring water out the exhaust.

I'm amazed these engines will run with no coolant no issue, jeez the abuse this engine took.

Thanks for the suggestions, steady bubbling out the rad so its the headgasket

the solitaire

Now that's one thing I have not thought of.

And I think that indeed henryd3 was right. ECM is not directly involved with the fan on these. My misstake.