Bigger radiator

[josho]

My car is overheating a little(96 240sx-sr20det). Whoever swapped it kept the stock ka radiator in it and made custom plumming for it. The temp stays inbetween normal temp and the first line at hot. So Im not sure if its technically "overheating" but it is running past normal operating temp. Do I need to upgrade my radiator or do I have other problems? btw; radiator does'nt leak fluids and waterpump is new.

[maryjane]

the cooling system is bled properly?

if it is good upgrades are a nismo t-stat and a thick koyo rad, you have good electric fans or your stock clutch fan? if its a clutch fan dose it have a shroud on it?

[josho]

Yeah, factory radiator, factory fans with shrouds.

[josho]

How do you bleed the system?
Modified by josho at 4:24 PM 8/15/2009

[josho]

So today I replace the t-stat and flush out the old coolant and put in new 50/50........And its still overheating!! Im ready to drive this car but dont want to blow a head gasket or anything. Is my stock radiator to small??? Somebody has to know. And I cant figure out how to bleed the system.

[liquid_cool]

i dont know what mods ya have...im not shure about a SR20 radiator..but i know the ka one was a pile of crap...and was a single core...upgrading to a multi-core radiator will solve this issue..i allso sugest a good aftermarket temp gauge..that way your know for shure how hot your running..good luck man.

[Second Shadow]

I would definately get a new radiator. SRs tend to run a little hot(there are many theories as to why but that isn't important right now), and the KA radiator isn't very potent. If you plan to turn up the power at all your going to need one anyway.

There are many aftermarket options that will do the job as well as simplify your hose setup. You can go with cheaper options, but I would suggest an all aluminum racing radiator. They run about $300 new, but there's always pricier ones and/or deals you can get.

an aftermarket radiator cap is a good and cheap way to boost cooling too, however I'd get the radiator first. Stock radiators have plastic end tanks and most of them are pretty old by now, the last thing you want is to turn up the pressure and crack it. All aluminum doesn't have that problem.

[josho]

That'll be the next thing I do then. Thanks!Whats the best way to find out if I have a blown HG on these motors? My buddy was following me yesterday on it when I took it for a test drive and he said he saw a little bit of white smoke. But it was'nt constantly coming out, and it only happens with the motor starts to overheat. Up until that point it does'nt smoke or anything.

[Second Shadow]

do a compression check. the testers are like $10-15 and not that hard to use. of course if you can barrow one from a friend or if a garage will do it for free go with that.

also, look at your oil and coolant. if they're leaking into each other one or both may have a brownish/grey color and be a little milky.

[josho]

I looked at the oil and it look just like normal oil; no bubbles or discoloration. I also did a little test. I got the car up to normal operating temp., pulled the tip stick out and let some oil drip on the exhuats manifold. If water is in the oil the drop is suppose to sizzle on the hot manifold, but if its just straight oil then it'll just burn. When the oil hit manifold it just smoked up and went away. So Im assuming that my hg is still good. But Ill try a comp test just to be on the safe side. Im also about to buy an aftermarket radiator and dual 12" fans and see where that gets me.