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Figured out why my car runs so hot now help me solve it

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Old Mar 2, 2005 | 11:12 PM
  #1  
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From: slc, ut
Figured out why my car runs so hot now help me solve it

well my car temps keep down on the freeway, but while im driving in traffic i see anywhere from 212 F all the way up to 230 and it is very random. It raises up quickly and then the fans kick on and it will drop quickly also, then just gradually raises up into the 220's until it repeats this process again.
-- well i just got a brand new paint job and i noticed the other day a layer of car paint on my radiator and my oil cooler. Could this stuff forma thick enough layer to block airflow? If so i'm very nervous cuz about half my radiator is covered in a thinner layer and my oil cooler looks almost coated in it. I'm really ed at this lazy shop for not covering these things. So would this paint be causing my traffic overheating? If so is there a way to get it off like maybe get some paint thinner in a spray bottle or something of the sort? I'd like to avoid buying a new radiator even though stock ones around here go for pretty cheap because i dont wanna go through the hassle of installing it i just got it back together. I know i need to do the thermoswitch mod and stuff to keep my temps down but i wanna fix the real problem before i do this so im not just covering up the main reason for my temps.
thanks
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Old Mar 2, 2005 | 11:43 PM
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Tom93R1's Avatar
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From: Chandler, AZ
If the fans are making the temps drop then your problem isnt the layer of paint. The problem is the temps the fans turn on. Do a search on "fan mod" or "miata thermoswitch".
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Old Mar 2, 2005 | 11:59 PM
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From: SoCal
In my opinion, yes, paint on the radiator and oil cooler could significantly reduce their effectiveness. Especially a thick coat that blocks some of the air passeges through the core.

But I also agree with Tom93R1 that your fans don't seem to be coming on properly and that you might need a new thermoswitch. Search for DaleClark's recent post about an alternative to the Miata thermoswitch.

-Max
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Old Mar 3, 2005 | 12:35 PM
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From: Around
'91 FC Thermoswitch
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Old Mar 3, 2005 | 12:56 PM
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I think your system is working exactly as it is supposed to. It gets over 220, and the fans come on. That's how it was designed. If the lights or AC are on, the fans come on sooner.

If you want the car to run cooler, you need to do something to make the fans come on at a lower temp.

Do a fan mod: http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/fan_mod.html

Or put in a FC thermoswitch
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