My KA-T is overheating!

[Razi]

Guys, until recently my KA-T has been running perfectly.

Now it overheats, but the lower radiator hose is not even warm!My thermostat works and my waterpump is fine.

I need ideas on why the lower radiator hose seems to get no circulation.

My KA-T needs saving!

[Kalypso]

are you sure the water pump works?

how could the lower hose not get warm if its circulating

[Razi]

I took the water pump off and I've wiggled and jiggled it and there is no play in the pump.

It also spins very nicely.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Is anything clogged? Try some Drano. J/K

But really, is anything restricting the flow?

[Razi]

I just took off the lower rad hose and blew into the radiator.It was like the hose wasn't even there, felt like nothing was clogged.Water bubbled out of where the waterpump used to be, since the waterpump is off now.

Arg.

[480sx]

Sounds like your thermostat is stuck man. Pop it out and put it in a pan of boiling water with a thermo and see if it opens.

[Razi]

Already did that, and it opens.I might drill 2 tiny holes on the top of the thermo, see if that helps.

[lancet913]

you will have to rebleed the coolant.i had the same the problem with mine after 150 miles mine started to overheat. What I did was park on a hill, removed the radiator cap and bleeder screw, pumped the crap out of both hoses with the motor off. Then turned on the engine and was able to pour in another quart and a half little by little. I have no overheating problems since. Hope this helps.

[Razi]

Thanks, I'll try this.Overheating is sooooo lame.

[aaronscomp]

you could take the thermostat completly out and drive it then if it overheats then its probly something a little more major like the head gasket

[WDRacing]

Easiest thing to do, pull the thermostat, leave it out. If the bottom hose heats up...duh, thermostat issue. If it doesn't, water pump issue or you ingested a some serious snot.

[1mansho]

Yeah dude you need to bleed the air out of your coolant system. My temps shot up fast when i didnt bleed it correctly.

[kouki_hmongster]

Easiest thing to do, pull the thermostat, leave it out. If the bottom hose heats up...duh, thermostat issue. If it doesn't, water pump issue or you ingested a some serious snot.

+1

also make sure to turn on heater when bleeding the system. Depending on your climate, run your car w/out a thermostat. IF it is freezing cold then it's best to have a thermostat but other than taht dont need one.

[bruinbear714]

Guys, until recently my KA-T has been running perfectly.

Now it overheats, but the lower radiator hose is not even warm!My thermostat works and my waterpump is fine.

I need ideas on why the lower radiator hose seems to get no circulation.

My KA-T needs saving!

If your lower hose isn't warm and the car is "overheating", it could mean one of the following or more (in no particular order):

1) A stuck thermostat

2) Leaking heater hoses

3) Blow head gasket

4) Air in the system

5) Or a combination of either one of those four.

6) Or you're just driving the s*** out of the car without an oil cooler.

[Razi]

Alright, I replaced the water pump and drilled 2 holes on the top of the thermostat.Now it doesn't overheat like crazy, it slowly goes up to 180 and stays there for a few minutes of driving.Then it shoots up to 210.

I'm thinking it's an airbubble now.Gosh I can't get rid of it! >:|

Edit: I think I got this figured out LOL.I'll report back later tonight to tomorrow with my status.

[Razi]

Still overheating, the water inlet with the thermostat is ice cold.Yes ICE COLD.Hahaha.Maybe I have a defective thermostat?Will replace it tomorrow.

[Razi]

Alright, I need someone to volunteer for me :PStart your car up and drive around the neighborhood for 15 or 20 minutes.Then pop the hood and touch your water inlet and see if it's hot or warm or cold.

I replaced the thermo and it is still ice cold to the touch even when my temp shoots up to 195 degrees Fahrenheit.I used to be steady at 180 before all this happened.

[480sx]

Its hot. Lol, trust me. Its at least not 'ice cold'.

Coolant is not circulating. How does your coolant look?

Try running your car without a thermostat. This can also have the benefit of getting rid of whatever air is in your system.

[Razi]

Coolant is nice and clean.Well I got another head scratcher for us.

After I made that post, I went and ate dinner.Came back and touched the lower radiator hose and water inlet, and it was warm.

If I really can't figure this out, I'll go ahead and run it with no thermostat.It ran perfectly fine with one, and now it decides it doesn't want to run correctly.

[480sx]

Well, the coolant inlet being warm now is easy, the coolant from the head and top of the rad mixed with the coolant in the lower hose and warmed it up.

[Razi]

Hmm..makes sense.I'm gonna pop off the rad cap and put a bit of water in and go for a drive soon.Fingers crossed.

[elpiar]

zerothread?id=402456

I have exactly the same problem. After bleeding with 7 different ways 7 different times, I managed to get rid of the problem. It seems to be worse during cold temperature too.

The only thing I have not done is running without a thermostat. I think it's worth trying in your case.

[Razi]

zerothread?id=402456

I have exactly the same problem. After bleeding with 7 different ways 7 different times, I managed to get rid of the problem. It seems to be worse during cold temperature too.

The only thing I have not done is running without a thermostat. I think it's worth trying in your case.

Arg, I need x-ray vision haha.I highly doubt my 2nd thermostat is bad...no clue why it isn't opening.Very frustrating.What bleeding method worked for you?

Final scenario, if I try everything I can and I don't get rid of this overheating problem. I will run without a thermostat.
Modified by Razi at 10:35 PM 4/15/2009

[elpiar]

i think removing your thermostat should be a 15 minute job. much shorter than lingering over your frustration which is a waste of time. that's just IMO

[Razi]

Still iffy on removing the thermostat, my car takes forever to warm-up anyways.

[Kalypso]

I think its time to repace the thermo

[Razi]

I just bought this one brand new.My last one was only few months old also.

[lrb_2000]

Have you still not ran without a thermastat yet? I usually never have mine in. It doesn't harm anything.

Are your fans on?

[WDRacing]

Dude...I told you EXACTLY what to do in my post. You have done everything else...take out the F'IN THERMOSTAT. Don't post anymore until you do.

Couple things I hate about this thread. YOU saying something is ice cold...thats about as dumb as it gets. Unless you're in the friggin arctic, aint s*** ice cold. So how the hell are we supposed to help you when you can't even be trusted to give a decent description of the damn problem.

You changed a water pump before you changed a thermostat...wow..just wow.

Removing the thermostat is not only harmless, but it's a simple step in what we mechanics call....wait for it...............................TROUBLESHOOTING.

[emo_tactical9]

You probably just need to bleed the coolant system better.