overheating problems. i need some assistance

[es sex0727]

well just like the title says. my s13 ka is overheating. i have already put in a new waterpump probably around 6000 miles ago and literally put the new radiator in two weeks ago. my question is what should i look to fix next. Thermostat? is there any possiblity that a crappy rad cap is the culprit? i dunno. the weird thing is that itll run at temp for the most part of my commute to work approx 10 miles. Then when i go to park my temp gague reads a wee bit hot. i just need advice please and thankyou.

[240TKE128]

Have you done a nice coolant system flush, lots of times if there was need to replace the radiator there might of been some sediment in the over system. also couldn't hurt to replace the thermostat.

[Gabes13]

I bad radiator cap can cause overheating issues because your system is not sealed. If you can take off the cap without pushing it down and loading the spring, then it most likely needs replacing.

A flush would most definitely help, but if it doesn't, it may be a leaky head gasket.

[pella]

Have you tried to bleed the system well? I have seen many people jump to replacing parts or thinking the worst, when it was actually an air pocket in the system, myself included. Try parking on a hill or jacking front end up, open radiator cap and bleeder on intake. Put a funnel in radiator and fill with water to top. This should force air out of bleeder screw, when theres a steady stream of coolent try to put screw back in without loosing coper washer LOL. This should be done at temp with the thermostat open. Theres alot of good write up on how to do this here art NICO, has been discussed in depth.

[CA18DER]

Your headgasket is blown and head warped if you have let it overheat to where the needle is maxed out for any more than a minute. Don't even bother bleeding your coolant system if this is the case. KA headgaskets are weak once overheating to maximum temperatures is involved. I will bet my nutsack that your headgasket is gone if this is the case. Once your temp needle maxes out, you better shut that bad boy down ASAP or your headgasket is toast, little margin for error.

SOURCES:

happened to two of my KAs, and I have diagnosed multiple other peoples overheating problems.

oh yeah, and if it is the headgasket... don't replace it without getting the warped head machined. Ask any 240 guy that has blown a headgasket. LOL

[pella]

Your headgasket is blown and head warped if you have let it overheat to where the needle is maxed out for any more than a minute. Don't even bother bleeding your coolant system if this is the case. KA headgaskets are weak once overheating to maximum temperatures is involved. I will bet my nutsack that your headgasket is gone if this is the case. Once your temp needle maxes out, you better shut that bad boy down ASAP or your headgasket is toast, little margin for error.

SOURCES:

happened to two of my KAs, and I have diagnosed multiple other peoples overheating problems.

oh yeah, and if it is the headgasket... don't replace it without getting the warped head machined. Ask any 240 guy that has blown a headgasket. LOL

Spend more than $30 on a head gasket if thats happening. Dont think he said maxed out, just a "wee bit". There you go tear it all apart before you try the easy stuff first. No dont do that. When mine was over heating I could keep the engine cool at speed with the clutch fan but when id stop at a light, it would over heat. Then electric fans would come on. Just saying your problem sounds very familiar. Was taken care of by properly bleeding the coolent system, not by replacing anything.

[nifares240]

did you bleed thoroughly for a long time? KA's are notorious for holding air pockets when doing any work involving flushing out the coolant.

[LoserCard]

First off, change your thermostat if you haven't already. I don't know why you wouldn't if your doing a whole cooling system overhaul. Anyways, follow these directions for bleeding...

1. Remove bleeder valve on top of intake manifold.
2. Fill while squeezing both hoses to work any air bubbles out until coolant comes out of the bleeder valve.
3. Screw on bleeder valve but do not tighten all the way.
4. Leave radiator cap open and place a funnel in it.
5. Run car with heater set to max and wait until normal operating temperature is reached.
6. When normal temperature is reached, keep the funnel filled with coolant (It might get messy because you have to hold the funnel down so it doesn't leak around the sides).
7. Keep it full until coolant leaks around the bleeder valve (you might need to loosen it until it almost comes out).
8. Tighten the bleeder valve, top off the radiator, and put the radiator cap back on.

Also there is a product that attaches itself to the radiator neck so you don't have to worry about the funnel leaking. It looks like a giant funnel attached to a radiator cap.

[pella]

Nicely put.....And make sure the thermostat isnt upside down lol.

[es sex0727]

thanks a bunch you guys. i have tried extensively to bleed out the air in the cooling system but was unaware of the bleeder screw. that ones new to me...............and the car has never been overheated extensively i have always pulled over no matter where i was no matter how inconvenient it was for others lol. so i dont think i have a warped head. but is good to know what i need to do if it ever overheats wayyy too much. also good to know that the ka's have a tendancy to withhold a lot of air. all of the advice is much appreciated and i hope to have the hog back on the road sooner rather than later thanks to all the good advice.

[pella]

No worries, just curious to see what the end result is or was. Did you find the screw?

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Whatever you do, don't use the factory temperature gauge as a reference.

By the time that thing moves past half way, it could very well be too late. They are notorious for being unreliable. Hell, when I was at the track with my single cam, it overheated, the coolant bubbled over, and EXPLODED out of the reservoir. All while the needle was right at operating temp......

Just giving you a heads up.

[s13coupe1991]

Whatever you do, don't use the factory temperature gauge as a reference.

By the time that thing moves past half way, it could very well be too late. They are notorious for being unreliable. Hell, when I was at the track with my single cam, it overheated, the coolant bubbled over, and EXPLODED out of the reservoir. All while the needle was right at operating temp......

Just giving you a heads up.

This...

CA18DER was right, chances of your headgasket being shot once you overheat are extremely high. Everyone always says "bleed your system" or "replace your thermostat and water pump" and usually that ends up being a waste of money with no solution to the overheating. Just look at all the threads and the outcomes. Sure, the system may be filled with air, but there is a good chance your headgasket is shot along with it. lol

[OutToWinPAHC]

Factory gauges are not accurate, but I hate to say if you let it overheat the issue can be internal.

New pump, cap, and rad are all good. But you want to make sure there are no leaks so you should pressure test it no more then 1.3-1.4 bar for at least 30 min. If pressure drops there is a leak, try to listen or look for it if its external, if you cant find it check for intermix and try checking compression. IF all is good, bleed it properly.


Jack the front of the car up front tires off the ground 4-8 inches.
Take off radiator cap
Take a 2 liter pepsi bottle cut it in half and use some black electrical tape and wrap the bottle neck a little, or get a cooling funnel
Flip it around and place the bottle neck were the radiator cap was at. Pinch off over flow line if not using the funnel.
Now start filling it with coolant about half way
Remove bleeder screw
Close bleed screw after you get a nice even stream of coolant
Squeeze the upper, and lower lined and burp out the air
Add antifreeze until you over fill the rad by a quart
Turn the heat on full blast
Start the engine and let the engine run after 3-10 minutes the thermostat will open and suck in the excess antifreeze (ambient temp affects time)
Fill it again but with about a half of quart.
Let it run until no more bubbles come out. Squeeze hosed time to time.
Replace cap, unclamp overflow hose and then shut off the engine, fill over flow 1/2 to 3/4

Coolant funnel (best to have)

[pella]

I was wondering who told me that