Red Renegade

Ok, so I'm no expert when it comes to radiator or overheating issues... With that said, my 98' SH lude has been overheating lately so I took it into the shop and they said my radiator "failed" and that I need a new one. Forgive me but I don't totally trust the guy and I was wondering if there was any way I could "double-check" to see if I really needed to spend the $100+ to go out and buy a new one. Also, it is NOT leaking. The coolent (puke) tank is full of antifreeze/coolent so I know its not leaking anywhere. If/when I leave my heater on the lowest setting, the car will stay at normal opperating temperature. Otherwise, it slowly rises. Should I try and flush it, re-fill, check pressure etc? Any advice you guys can give would be outstanding!

THANKS!

flacens

could be that your radiator is clogged and water isnt flowing through it like it should.

does it happen while driving or only while stopped, like at a red light?

Red Renegade

Only while stopped. I could leave my heater totally off and it will cool off just fine as long as I'm moving along quick enough and getting air to the engine... That means its probably just clogged huh?

flacens

yup. next time your stopped at a light and it starts heating up, put it in Neutral and accelerate to about 2500 rpm and hold it there and see if the temperature starts going back down.

If it does, then it's probably a clogged radiator.

When you accelerate, you create more pressure which forces the water to flow. At a low rpm, there's not as much pressure pushing the water through the radiator.

You can get the radiator cleaned at a radiator shop. Should be pretty cheap

Red Renegade

Sweet! Thats great info! =) One thing I forgot to mention is that the guy at the shop said that the belt that drives the water pump looks a little wobbly. Could that be part of the issue as well?

Red Renegade

It was reving on its own when I would start the car up until it was warmed up (it hasn't done that recently)... I know thats related to the heating issue. I'm just not sure how.

flacens

yes it could definitely be the water pump too. Lets hope its not that because its a pain in the butt to change that. You have to remove the timing belt first if i remember correctly.

Try getting your radiator checked/cleaned at a radiator shop. It's easy, cheap and should be the first step in troubleshooting anyways.

Red Renegade

Well the water pump is less than 3 years old so I highly doubt that is the problem. But the timing belt and barring might need tightening since THAT is what is wabbling. I don't know how to do that but I'm hoping its simple enough. I'll start with flushing that radiator first. Thanks for all the help! I really appreciate it! =D

flacens

here's some info that might help. the fins in your radiator may be clogged and flushing the radiator wont clean them.

Overheating: Symptoms and causes

Red Renegade

Wow. Very useful stuff. Thanks again man! =)

flacens

no problemo

junkdagunk

have you checked to make sure the fan is kicking on