1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

overheating on the highway

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-09-04, 08:30 AM
  #1  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
clashkpr28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Angry overheating on the highway

I've done everything I could possibly think of to try to solve the problem. Had the radiator checked and flushed, I was told its still solid, my clutch fan works great, new water pump, and new T-stat but the car still overheats on the highway. When I'm going about 75 the temp gauge is on the first warning line just to the right of the symbol.... Is this normal?
Old 07-09-04, 08:42 AM
  #2  
84SE-EGI helpy-helperton

 
LongDuck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 3,314
Received 359 Likes on 250 Posts
Something is blocking your airflow in the front, OR your waterflow through the radiator.

Based on the things you've already changed, I would think that you may need to flush the engine block and see if that helps. Changing out the radiator doesn't help much if the crap in the block flows back to the radiator and clogs it up again. When I had my radiator rebuilt (re-rod and boil out), they said it would need to be flushed to keep the block cleaned out, otherwise it would clog up again in short order.

Hook a hose up to the heater inlet at the back of the block and remove your lower radiator hose - this will allow the block to flush. There is also a 12mm bolt on the driver's side center housing just below the plugs that is the main block drain for coolant.

Give that a shot and report back,
Old 07-09-04, 11:57 AM
  #3  
Lorem ipsum dolor sit ame

 
cdrad51's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: The Net
Posts: 3,262
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
And to answer your question, not it's not normal, and try not to drive the car at that speed until the overheating issue is resolved - engine might get damaged.

What kind of t-stat do you have in the car?

P.S. fan clutch wouldn't affect much temp at 75 mph.
Old 07-09-04, 12:36 PM
  #4  
trainwreck

 
BigJim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Lake, Michigan
Posts: 1,725
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
maytbe he has wrong thermostat
Old 07-09-04, 06:11 PM
  #5  
Senior Member

 
heb09's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Australia
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I had a similiar problem (my car is currently being transformed ). When driving on the highway at 3 grand in 5th and the lights on it sits just below half way. Found out its my number plate disrupting airflow to my radiator. I have my number plate in the middle of the front rio/bumper and it probably hangs down about 4-5cm. Not much but enough. When I took it off, noticed a big difference.
Old 07-09-04, 06:19 PM
  #6  
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
 
gonzz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 4,236
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm having the same problem. I don't have the under tray installed. In Las Vegas temps during the day is in the 100's. Took car out at midnight when temp was in the high 80's and ran alot cooler 185 deg. Looking for a under tray now. Also can a make some kind of scoop to get the airflow to my radiator? My front spoiler is restricting the air. Thanks. Look at my web site for a pic of my spoiler
Old 07-09-04, 06:51 PM
  #7  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
clashkpr28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
well i flushed out the radiator and the engine block like u said a few times. I filled the system with water and ran the car for about 7 minutes in between to re-circulate the old fluid and clean out any extra crap. My front air dam and everything else is stock but I do have a license plate that hangs down... I'll try moving it then taking out on the highway tomorrow to see if it helps. Thanks a lot!
Old 07-09-04, 08:28 PM
  #8  
Lives on the Forum

 
Kentetsu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Grand Rapids Michigan
Posts: 11,359
Received 14 Likes on 11 Posts
Any chance this could actually be an oil cooling issue? From what I understand, a large percentage of the engine cooling is accomplished through the oil cooler. What do all you experts think?
Old 07-09-04, 08:37 PM
  #9  
Boosted 7

 
Matty's first 1st Gen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I used to have the exact same problems, I bought a lower temp t-stat, and it made city driving temps lower, but highways were still pretty high. I don't wanna scare you but that engine just broke 3 weeks ago, and the new engine with the exact same cooling system, including same water pump, the temps are much lower. highway temps are like 1/5th up the gauge, and doesn't budge. how many miles on your engine. check your OMP. As i understand it, if the engine doesn't get enough luberication the friction is able to produce more heat
Old 07-09-04, 09:29 PM
  #10  
DRAG RACING

 
ssglopezvm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Puerto Rico
Posts: 389
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Check radiator CAP. My engine once overheated due to a faulty cap.
Old 07-09-04, 11:07 PM
  #11  
It's Back!

 
Suparslinc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
When I put the skid plate back on it helped a little. I think the idea is it keeps air moving through the radiator instead of under it.
Old 07-10-04, 10:46 AM
  #12  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
clashkpr28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
alright so i took it out today and ran about 20 miles strait going anywhere from 65-75 and it ran cooler, the temp guage read just to the left of the 1st warning line instead of to the right of it, but this is still hotter than it should be running at. As for a faulty rad cap can i dont think my cap is stock can i take the cap off my gsl-se and use it on my car (a gsl)or will this not work?
Old 07-10-04, 11:07 AM
  #13  
RX for fun

iTrader: (13)
 
Siraniko's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Socal
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 0
Received 22 Likes on 19 Posts
if your coolant reservoir is always full with signs of over filling, then change the radiator cap. With the engine running hot at 75MPH, remove the t-stat completely. If it continues to run hot, then your problem is the radiator. Get it ROD-OUT as FLUSHING will NOT remove any blockage.

No t-stat is good but, on a stop and go traffic, the coolant flows tooo fast. Instead, I prefer to use a gutted t-stat (no spring) to slow down the flow and allow the coolant to absorb more heat from the engine.

Good luck
Old 07-10-04, 12:29 PM
  #14  
Lorem ipsum dolor sit ame

 
cdrad51's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: The Net
Posts: 3,262
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post


Also depending on $ available, you might wanna consider just replacing the radiator for a new one. I did that last year when having serious overheating issues and voila! all problems gone.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
LongDuck
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
12
10-07-15 08:12 PM
JoesFC
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
9
10-05-15 08:10 AM
Jmpabon93
New Member RX-7 Technical
1
09-30-15 04:57 PM
Devon Murray
Introduce yourself
2
09-25-15 09:41 AM
erevos
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
4
09-15-15 09:19 AM



Quick Reply: overheating on the highway



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:44 AM.