Had Radiator Core Replaced and Still Overheats?

I have a 1990 Mits van that started overheating. I had the radiator
re-cored and on the way home it started overheating again. Of course I
was a bit surprised...I will check to make sure that the radiator shop
actually replaced the core (it was dark when I picked up the van but it
did seem to be re-cored when I looked), but is there some other simple
explanation? Like a thermostat was the problem from the get-go? If so
does anyone know where such an item would be located in the van, I
imagine I could change that out myself.

The van heater still works great, it is the orig rad (or was), and
overheated under very little provocation as it did prior to the repair.
Thanks

More details needed, like the size of the engine.


> wrote in message
oups.com...
> I have a 1990 Mits van that started overheating. I had the radiator
> re-cored and on the way home it started overheating again. Of course I
> was a bit surprised...I will check to make sure that the radiator shop
> actually replaced the core (it was dark when I picked up the van but it
> did seem to be re-cored when I looked), but is there some other simple
> explanation? Like a thermostat was the problem from the get-go? If so
> does anyone know where such an item would be located in the van, I
> imagine I could change that out myself.
>
> The van heater still works great, it is the orig rad (or was), and
> overheated under very little provocation as it did prior to the repair.
> Thanks
>

What is the history of the van?
When was thermostat last changed out.
When was cooling system last flushed and filled with new coolant?
What is the condition when it overheats??? City driving, Hwy drivining?
Does the radiator fan turn on at all and also when it overheats?
Was system flushed out when radiator was changed and refilled correctly to
purged of any air in system?
Possible bad thermostat.
Possible blocked or restriction on the enging block.
Possible bad radiator fan/relay.
Suggest look a for a mech and let them troubleshoot before you overheat
engine and cause further damage to engine.

The engine is a 2.4 liter.
I'm the orig owner. Thermostat hasn't been changed unless it's a part
of a major overhaul (van has 86k, is in great shape, has had all the
req'd servicing). Orig overheated on a 50 mile highway ride in mild
weather, flat terrain. Since then have changed the coolant, did rad
flush 2x, and nothing improved. Lots of visible calcification in the
radiator tubes (if that is what it was). New core at this point but
behaved exactly the same as in last few weeks, overheated after 10 mins
of simple city driving.

I'd have to assume that the radiator shop purged of air, but I wasn't
there of course.

I didn't ask the radiator shop to troubleshoot it I just told them the
radiator was bad etc. I guess they could have tested a bit but they
didn't. Dissapointing. I didn't realize there were other options as far
as causes of the problem.

Thanks

Try replacing the thermostat.
Try to replace with oem part if possible.
Another possible problem could be a worn water pump. water pump impleller
have be know to wear down and stop pumping coolant.
Hows the water pump belt condition and tension? no broken belt?

On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 21:30:46 -0800, "BBA"
> wrote:

rubbish snipped.

Find your top radiator hose, follow it to the engine block, where it
meets the engine block is a housing that contains the thermostat.

It must be replaced with one of the same temperature rating, and the
spring side faces the engine, not the radiator. If you install it
backwards, you will do irreparable damage to your engine with
overheating.

Get the right part, install it the right way.

Suspect your water pump. Look at the weep hole on it. Is it leaking
water? Time to replace it. A little in the way of a gray deposit is
OK there, but fluid coming out of it is not.

Lg

It sounds exactly like a thermostat that won't open. Its fairly simple
and cheap to replace. I recommend factory Tstats from a lot of bad
experiences, however I don't know if your Mitsubishi Tstat is available
as an exact reboxed OEM product in the aftermarket. Whatever you do,
don't get a $2.99 special anywhere.

I'm going to assume you actually got a new radiator as any sane
mechanic would recommend -- vs. replacing the core section alone on a
15 year old vehicle.

But as long as the tubes are flowing coolant and the fins are
transfering heat into the atmosphere, then you should not have
overheated while driving on the highway in mild weather (forcing air
through the radiator fins).

At this point the Tstat should be replaced at a real repair shop, not a
radiator specialist. And the vehicle should be diagnosed by a
mechanic. He will check that there is coolant flow (water pump works
properly) and that no other cooling system restrictions exist.

But if you want to change it yourself it's not too hard. If your van
is the "Scooby Doo style" mid-engine van, then the Tstat is right above
the distributor, held into the intake manifold with 2 bolts. A large
radiator hose is clamped to the Tstat housing too. Drain the coolant,
remove the 2 bolts leaving the radiator hose intact. Remove and
replace Tstat and gasket. Install the bleeder valve on the Tstat
upwards if so equipped.

Extra info: since you have good heat then its likely that the shop did
bleed and burp the cooling system of air properly.


Toyota MDT in MO

> I have a 1990 Mits van that started overheating. I had the radiator
> re-cored and on the way home it started overheating again.

....am I missing something?

> was a bit surprised...I will check to make sure that the radiator shop
> actually replaced the core (it was dark when I picked up the van but it
> did seem to be re-cored when I looked), but is there some other simple
> explanation? Like a thermostat was the problem from the get-go?

need more info - "can not compute" <grin>

> does anyone know where such an item would be located in the van, I
> imagine I could change that out myself.

is possible that is somewhere in the engine compartment near or possibly on the
engine!

> The van heater still works great, it is the orig rad (or was), and
> overheated under very little provocation as it did prior to the repair.

That's great!!

BBA

> overheated after 10 mins of simple city driving.

Could be a faulty water pump, a faulty thermostat! - To check thermostat
operation. One would check the 2 large hoses coming from the radiator. Both
hoses should be at the same temp. As the engine warms up the thermostat should
open at the vehicles normal operating temp. May take up to10 or possibly 30 min
to warm up once the engine has been started. Engine goes into (closed loop)
normal operation mode.

Could also be a blow head gasket or possibly a crack in either engines head or
possibly engine block - only one way that I know of to positively diagnose - the
use of a block-test kit is required. Kit tests for exhaust gasses present within
the engines water-cooling system.

> I'd have to assume that the radiator shop purged of air, but I wasn't
> there of course.

huh? << Not sure what you mean

> I didn't ask the radiator shop to troubleshoot it I just told them the
> radiator was bad etc. I guess they could have tested a bit but they
> didn't. Dissapointing. I didn't realize there were other options as far
> as causes of the problem.

what made you decide that you radiator had been the problem?

BBA

On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 wrote:

> I have a 1990 Mits van that started overheating. I had the radiator
> re-cored and on the way home it started overheating again. Of course I
> was a bit surprised...I will check to make sure that the radiator shop
> actually replaced the core (it was dark when I picked up the van but it
> did seem to be re-cored when I looked), but is there some other simple
> explanation? Like a thermostat was the problem from the get-go? If so
> does anyone know where such an item would be located in the van, I
> imagine I could change that out myself. The van heater still works
> great, it is the orig rad (or was), and overheated under very little
> provocation as it did prior to the repair.

Assuming the radiator actually was replaced or re-cored, it sounds as
though the problem was not properly diagnosed. What led to the repair
order with "re-core or replace radiator" written on it? Did you take the
van to the shop and say "It overheats", or did you take it to the shop and
say "Replace or re-core the radiator"?

Low-speed/in-traffic overheating is more frequently related to
insufficient airflow (defective, inoperative or improperly-installed
fan(s), physical blockage of air path through A/C condenser and/or
radiator) than to water flow. Water flow problems (e.g. plugged radiator)
more frequently make themselves known under hot-day/high-speed-driving
conditions.

DS