I have 1971 jeepster commando that keeps getting really hot quick. Thermostat changed new radiator hose and new coolant
My jeepster is overheating. Replaced thermostat and radiator hose. New belt plus new 50/50 coolant.
It ran fine for the last year. Overheated one day and now can't diagnose problem.
Water pump is not spitting or leaking and radiator doesn't leak either.
Any thoughts. I'm afraid to flush it because that might bring more problems with the radiator
My car has a manual transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there. It’s likely that the radiator is the actual problem. Over time, the interior of older radiators will corrode and cause rust and other materials to break off and cause obstructions inside the coolant system. This can impede the water pumps ability to efficiently flow coolant through the system. It’s also possible that your heater core is clogged up with debris, causing this issue. Here is a quick test to confirm this. Start your Jeep and turn the heater on full blast. Wait about five minutes, if you don’t feel heat coming from the heater vents, your issue is with the heater core. If you need help diagnosing your problem, please feel free to set up an engine is overheating inspection.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
The most likely reason is a coolant leak. If there is a leak in your coolant system, there won`t be enough coolant fluid to effectively cool down your engine, resulting in overheating. Some other possible reasons why your Jeep might be overheating include: Broken radiator fan.
The most common reason a Jeep will run hot is due to low oil or a coolant problem. Low coolant is usually because there is a leak somewhere in a hose, the reservoir, or the heater core. A failed engine thermostat or a blown head gasket are other common causes of overheating Jeeps.
One common reason engines overheat while idling is a faulty or broken cooling system. This could include problems with the radiator, water pump, or fan belt. If any part of your car`s cooling system is not functioning properly, your engine may be at risk of overheating.
Why is my car overheating but it has coolant in it? It could be that the coolant concentration is not correct, or you may have a bad thermostat, a failed water pump, broken drive belt, or a bad radiator or radiator fan.
In general, it`s because something`s wrong within the cooling system and heat isn`t able to escape the engine compartment. The source of the issue could include a cooling system leak, faulty radiator fan, broken water pump, or clogged coolant hose.
Besides hot weather and strenuous activity, other causes of heat exhaustion include: Dehydration, which lessens your body`s ability to sweat and keep a normal temperature. Alcohol use, which can affect your body`s ability to regulate your temperature.
If your car begins to overheat when idling, but the temperature gauge moves back down once you get going, it`s most likely due to a broken radiator fan. When the coolant goes to the radiator, it`s spread over a large surface area to cool it down. Airflow further cools it before it returns to the engine.
If you find that you`ve got a car running hot but not overheating there might be a few reasons: Clogged or damaged radiator. Low coolant level. Damaged water pump or thermostat.
Yes, engine coolant does go bad. Older fluid may cause acid buildup, may become contaminated by rust or scaling, and may have reduced resistance to boiling and freezing. Deteriorated coolant/antifreeze may cause your engine to run hotter than normal or keep the engine from starting in colder temperatures.
If the coolant tank is full, the problem may be electrical or mechanical in nature, in which case a tow to the nearest repair shop is definitely in order. A leaking hose, worn or broken fan belt, bad water pump, or malfunctioning thermostat may be the culprit.
Only Use Water In The Radiator In An Emergency
If it`s really low or actually empty, you need to add fluid to your vehicle. While it`s ideal to add a 50/50 mix of coolant and water (or a pre-mixed coolant), if you absolutely have to keep driving, you can add water to the radiator to get you to your destination.
If the coolant tank is full, the problem may be electrical or mechanical in nature, in which case a tow to the nearest repair shop is definitely in order. A leaking hose, worn or broken fan belt, bad water pump, or malfunctioning thermostat may be the culprit.
This can be caused by a number of things such as low coolant levels, a faulty thermostat, a clogged radiator or a failing coolant fan switch. As you may know the coolant fan switch helps to maintain the proper coolant temperature by turning on and off at specific temperature thresholds.
Car overheats but no leaks have many possible culprits which include a clogged radiator, a faulty thermostat, air trapped in the cooling system inhibiting coolant flow, a bad water pump, malfunctioning cooling fans, plugged hoses, or a broken serpentine belt. A failing head gasket could also be the cause of this issue.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
I have 1971 jeepster commando that keeps getting really hot quick. Thermostat changed new radiator hose and new coolant
ANSWER : Hi there. It’s likely that the radiator is the actual problem. Over time, the interior of older radiators will corrode and cause rust and other materials to break off and cause obstructions inside the coolant system. This can impede the water pumps ability to efficiently flow coolant through the system. It’s also possible that your heater core is clogged up with debris, causing this issue. Here is a quick test to confirm this. Start your Jeep and turn the heater on full blast. Wait about five minutes, if you don’t feel heat coming from the heater vents, your issue is with the heater core. If you need help diagnosing your problem, please feel free to set up an engine is overheating inspection.
No coolant in the reservoir. Seen low coolant message. I added 2 quarts of 50/50 coolant. Still getting the message. How much coolant doe it need?
ANSWER : Hi there. For the coolant light to go out, you would need to have the coolant between the low line and the full line for the light to go out. If the coolant is low and keeps on being low, then look for any signs of coolant leaks. You may have to use a coolant pressure tester to pressurize the reservoir to allow the leak to be found.
If you need further assistance with the coolant being low and the warning light being on, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
After fixing my radiator, radiator hose, thermostat, and idle control valve my car continues to idle very high and run hot. Help??
ANSWER : Hello, high idle can be represented by many conditions. A heater core would not cause this unless you have a coolant leak and the core was leaking. There are tests that can be performed to test a water pump (coolant pump). A vacuum leak can create high idle and even a high engine temperature. A suggestion is to read engine data and any fault codes in the system. This is done with a scan tool. The scan tool can read data which will give you information on the operating systems of the vehicle. If you’d like, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your location and do a complete evaluation of the overheating issues.
Thick white smoke from exhaust, change thermostat, fan doesn’t come on, top hose stays cold,
ANSWER : Hello, thanks for writing in about your Geo Storm. If you are getting white smoke from the exhaust then you have a blown head gasket or cracked head. I suggest having a certified mechanic, like one from YourMechanic, diagnose the smoke firsthand by pressure testing the cooling system to see if the head gasket is blown.
I cant get all the air out of my radiator i changed thermastat and everything but my top hose gets rock hard i open bleeder let pr
ANSWER : If you have changed the thermostat and do not have circulation through the system you may have a blocked radiator or your water pump fins are gone and will not circulate the coolant. These vehicles have issues with both of these. Feel the radiator fins up and down the radiator to see if you feel cold spots after the vehicle warms up. If you feel cold spots even though the temperature gauge is hot then you have a clog. Replace the radiator then retest the system for flow and replace the water pump if it still does not flow. Finally make sure you did not put the thermostat in backwards. If you need help diagnosing the overheating issue call a mechanic, like one from YourMechanic, to check it out for you.
my car is running hot and i have already changed my thermostat and sensor. a coolant build on the hose beside the housing
ANSWER : The engine temperature should be measured independent of the dash gauge and/or a scan tool should be used to read the temperature sensor directly to determine what the operating temperature actually is. If the car is in fact overheating, it’s best not to drive it because overheating can warp the cylinder head and/or engine block causing costly damage. The most common causes of overheating include low coolant level, a faulty thermostat, a plugged radiator, a faulty radiator pressure cap, collapsed hoses, non functioning cooling fans, and a faulty water pump or drive belt. Certain engine faults, such as a leaking head gasket or poor engine running condition can also cause overheating. If you desire that this problem be diagnosed by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request an engine overheating diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
Is it normal for the brakes to get hot or smell hot after the pads and rotors are changed on the rear brakes?
ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in. I’d be happy to provide my insight.
From the description of your 2010 Pontiac G6 braking issue, there are a few likely causes. If the piston in the caliper did not move freely than this will allow the brake pad to drag on the rotor. When the pad drags it can overheat the rear brakes and cause them to fail. The caliper will need to be inspected before the vehicle is driven more.
If you would like help getting these inspected, consider having an expert automotive technician from YourMechanic come to your home or office to inspect and diagnose these brake problems for you, and make or suggest any repairs as needed.
Top water hose gets hot with new thermostat
ANSWER : Hello. This is completely normal operation of the vehicle’s cooling system. The top radiator hose should always be warmer than the bottom. As coolant flows through the water pockets in the engine it picks up heat, and it is then transferred back into the radiator through the top hose. The coolant is cooled off in the radiator and then is recycled back into the engine through the lower radiator hose. Hence, hot on top, cold on bottom. If your symptoms were opposite, you would have more serious issues. The thermostat’s job is to hold the coolant in place until the engine is warm enough to need allow the flow of coolant through the system. Once the engine is warm enough to warrant coolant flow, the thermostat opens to a degree corresponding to the engine temperature.
