Overheating problem.

[user removed]

It should run too cold with no t-stat and a new radiator. 180 is probably normal operating temp.

You should bleed it with the engine off, sorry if I did not mention that before. It sounds like the pressure from a head gasket leak is pushing the coolant into the recovery bottle.

regards
mech

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

It should run too cold with no t-stat and a new radiator. 180 is probably normal operating temp.

You should bleed it with the engine off, sorry if I did not mention that before. It sounds like the pressure from a head gasket leak is pushing the coolant into the recovery bottle.

regards
mech

Oh yea that would make sense... Sigh... Its like 1000-1200 for a head gasket repair and I don't have at kind of money..

[XYZ]

Originally Posted by Baltothewolf

Oh yea that would make sense... Sigh... Its like 1000-1200 for a head gasket repair and I don't have at kind of money..

Do I need to repeat my two fan solution for my unsolved overheat problem again?

In my case, it did the trick. After everything else checked out, I too was not willing to tear the engine apart for a problem that I could live with. I'm not saying it solved the actual cause of the problem - but I am saying it provided relief, and it did no harm.

Whatever works...

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by XYZ

Do I need to repeat my two fan solution for my unsolved overheat problem again?

In my case, it did the trick. After everything else checked out, I too was not willing to tear the engine apart for a problem that I could live with. I'm not saying it solved the actual cause of the problem - but I am saying it provided relief, and it did no harm.

Whatever works...

Well, the thing with me is, here in socal it's extremely hilly, everywhere. And I want to be able to go visit my uncles but it requires traversing 2 miles of 6% grade and ~8 miles of 2% grade. Even with the fan trick it would still overheat. Hollowing out my old thermostat fixed my short sprints that I have to do around town so I don't have to worry overheating. If I locked the fans it wouldn't make much of a difference in my short runs around town, and wouldn't hold up to me going down the hill.

[j12piprius]

Originally Posted by Baltothewolf

I just bled it again and whenever I apply throttle, the coolant in the tube that's connected to the bleeder turns a whiteish color with micro-bubbles.

Is the white color an indicator of head gasket issues?

[j12piprius]

Originally Posted by Baltothewolf

Well, the thing with me is, here in socal it's extremely hilly, everywhere. And I want to be able to go visit my uncles but it requires traversing 2 miles of 6% grade and ~8 miles of 2% grade. Even with the fan trick it would still overheat. Hollowing out my old thermostat fixed my short sprints that I have to do around town so I don't have to worry overheating. If I locked the fans it wouldn't make much of a difference in my short runs around town, and wouldn't hold up to me going down the hill.

2 miles at 6 percent grade is steep, and not surprising to cause higher temperatures.

I think dual fans would definitely help on hills, which have lower coolant flow due to lower rpm's. I might use that trick, provided I can keep below 206 at all other times, and can figure out how to do it. This would cause a drain on the mpg but would definitely keep the engine cooler. Another thing I've not tried yet is to go in 3rd gear and go slower.

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by johnlvs2run

2 miles at 6 percent grade is steep, and not surprising to cause higher temperatures.

I think dual fans would definitely help on hills, which have lower coolant flow due to lower rpm's. I might use that trick, provided I can keep below 206 at all other times, and can figure out how to do it. This would cause a drain on the mpg but would definitely keep the engine cooler. Another thing I've not tried yet is to go in 3rd gear and go slower.

In my civic I never got above 204 which is normal operating temperature...

[j12piprius]

Originally Posted by Baltothewolf

In my civic I never got above 204 which is normal operating temperature...

Did you have the grill 84% blocked off like mine is.

Opening the grill more is another option or making an adjustable shutter.
I'm waiting to test the adjustments that I've recently made, including adding a chute.

The main stickler for me is a 10 mile hill, with 2 miles at 7 percent grade. I might do that trip again in a few weeks and, if so, will test the results.

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by johnlvs2run

Did you have the grill 84% blocked off like mine is.

Opening the grill more is another option or making an adjustable shutter.
I'm waiting to test the adjustments that I've recently made, including adding a chute.

The main stickler for me is a 10 mile hill, with 2 miles at 7 percent grade. I might do that trip again in a few weeks and, if so, will test the results.

I only had an upper grill block.

[Xist]

Could one of these be of any use to you?

OEM/Block Tester (27145) | Block Tester | AutoZone.com

It is supposed to tell you if you have a head gasket leak.