Rant: Temperture Needle Is Working

[bluto]

I had the radiator (cracked) replaced months ago with an aftermarket 3 rows metal. But had OEM hoses and belts put in. Prior to the relacement, I had OEM rad with the original hoses and aftermarket belts (Gates). Only thing not replaced was the thermostat (never had an overheating problem). I had a shop do these for me.
It was 198K+ miles when the work was done and now it is 202K miles (rounded off).

I took the 80 and headed to Bakersfield for the AYSO Regionals with me, 2 adults, 3 kids. With 4 medium size luggages on the rack (Surco aluminum). Full fuel tank.

I knew I was going to be in trouble going back home (Sunday today) through the Grape when I saw the needle go up with the first climb after Castaic and before Pyramid Lake (Heading towards Bakersfield Friday afternoon). Wasnt able to take a pic.

Well, here are the pics:

 

[bluto]

View attachment 1

View attachment 3

 

[bluto]

We all know this is a common problem with our rigs so Im just ranting here. I will be searching 80s Techs for the next week. Real bummer. I never had any problems before the replacement.

So, no overheating. Engine started cooling off once I got over that area and the needle went back to the middle of the meter. I never had any problems in traffic jams or hot weather. Just climbing up steep grades with the tach at the 3K+ RPM range.

Oh BTW - As far as Im guessing, probably the original HG. 1995 FZJ80.

 

[SOCALFJ]

Damn that sucks Allen. I've never seen mine move ever that far. What brand was the aftermarket radiator? Plastic or metal?

 

[Brentbba]

Wow - pic 3 is what my temp guage looked like when noticed my overheating and eventually figured out that I blew my HG up in Norcal. Do you have coolant in your reservior tank? Does your oil look normal or a creamy buttery texture? If the later, join the HG club, and I hope you don't!

With a normal OEM radiator and thermostat, even towing a 4000lb trailer up the grapevine on hotter days than we've had recently, my needle never moved like that. I wouldn't know enough to blame an aftermarket radiator or not.

Good luck!!!

 

[bluto]

Damn that sucks Allen. I've never seen mine move ever that far. What brand was the aftermarket radiator? Plastic or metal?

Dave, its a CSF, metal with 3 rows.

Wow - pic 3 is what my temp guage looked like when noticed my overheating and eventually figured out that I blew my HG up in Norcal. Do you have coolant in your reservior tank? Does your oil look normal or a creamy buttery texture? If the later, join the HG club, and I hope you don't!

With a normal OEM radiator and thermostat, even towing a 4000lb trailer up the grapevine on hotter days than we've had recently, my needle never moved like that. I wouldn't know enough to blame an aftermarket radiator or not.

Good luck!!!

Brent, I stopped at the Flying J to check if my HG was screwed or not.
Full coolant at the reservoir, oil is normal (no milky stuff or evidence of coolant), checked under the oil cap - nothing, no steam or coolant smell from exhaust.

Only thing was I wasnt able to open the radiator cap to see if theres coolant in there!

Engine performed normal. I was going in excess of 70 mph once I got over the bad grades. No performance dropped noticed.

I dont think it is a radiator issue from what I can tell at this point. So Ill be doing the internet research this week and figure this out.

Its just weird that I go over to Gorman, Frazier, and the Grape going to SF many times before. Never a temp issue until now - more like going over at a snails pace if ever.

All I remember when I got it smogged (after I got the radiator replaced)was the Tech said the engine was not reaching optimum temperture to fully run the smog test. I waited quite awhile till the test started.

So Im thinking thermostat? I'll definitely post up when I get this figured out.

 

[hatman406080]

thermostat or coupling?


90916-03117 thermo $14.24
16210-66020 coupling $126.77
16346-66020 gasget ,th $3.24

Cdan,1-800-432-6668

 

[Brentbba]

Damn that's great news on the coolant and oil!!! Whew!

That temp is disconcerting. It shouldn't get that high over the grapevine. It just wasn't that hot and your load wasn't anything unusual. Good luck on the search.

I'm still sitting on pins and needles waiting to hear on mine. Will be calling for an update tomorrow. They've had her a week now.

 

[bpenn1980]

Before I swapped my original radiator I had mine reach the very bottom of the red on the climb up hwy 38 out of big bear. I was really pushing it hard and had the a/c on to see if it would cut the a/c out. Never got to the cut-off temp though.

I used a Koyo C1917 radiator. No problems since. I have the temp gauge mod, so my needle moves a bit more, but now I can drive 5 south up the grape vine in the far left lane passing cars at 75-80mph all the way to Frazier Park with no problems.

Oh yeah, I have the original fan clutch, but with heavier oil in it. Probably not the issue though since you were running cool before...

Sucks man, but stick with it and I hope you nail the issue down. Let us know about the thermostat.

Brad

 

[lacruiser]

you did burp the system when you did the radiator, right?

change the T-stat, or at least remove it and test it in hot water.

do the fan clutch mod, it can only help things.

good luck

Dana