Fan Shroud Question

[ChoochCharlie]

I am chasing a overheating problem now, after finishing changing the head gaskets, water pump.

How important is that small section of shroud on the bottom, the one that is removable for clearance?
I did not re-install mine yet, before the test ride. Will be installing it, a new thermostat and a new radiator cap today.
I'm just wondering if anyone has had overheat issues caused by JUST the missing shroud section.

Related question. The radiator had scum in it when I got it. Possibly some stop leak but mostly oil and coolant scum.
What are the radiator issues people commonly have? When is a new radiator proven necessary?

 

[dtmf]

When is a new radiator proven necessary?

when it stop's doing it's job of cooling or spring's a leak . i just replaced mine run's alot cooler now and warm's up faster. i'm guessing becuse of better flow

 

[cometobanks]

mine has always over heated. even after replacing EVERYTHING. I just recently replaced my water pump again and had my heater core flushed and it seems to be working better (for now)... My shroud is in place, so I dont think youre getting off the hook. Does yours make that neat whistling sound from the radiator?

 

[ChoochCharlie]

I put the removable section back on the shroud, replaced the thermostat and after my dog ate the gaskets off the first new radiator cap, got another and tested it out today.

Idled fine. Drove about 10 minutes up the road, got to middle of the gauge and seemed perfect.
Stopped for about 30 minutes for Rita's.
Got back in and it seemed fine for about 10 more minutes, then the gauge started to creep back up. I sat in the parking lot for about 10 more minutes letting it idle, the temp stayed a bit high, but steady. Then it shot up.
While I was parked, I ran the heat but only got cold air.
Hit the road again and the heat came on strong and the temp dropped a bit.

Got home and popped the level lock cap and let the steam out. Topped it off and it idled for 20 minutes perfect.

Do I just need a new radiator?

 

[ChoochCharlie]

When is the electric fan supposed to come on?

 

[SKIDPLATE]

Themostat is sticking

The first time that happened to me was in my old 64 GTO. Normally the heater worked great but that day it didn't work worth a flip. Soon afterward i.e., about 5 miles down the road, she overheated on me in an ice storm. How could it be overheating when it's this damn cold outside? Come to find out, the thermostat is responsable for COOLING and HEATING the engine. If the heater never blows hot then the hot water from the engine isn't being allowed to circulate out and eventually to the heater core. The hot water never gets out of the engine and the cool water never gets in... hence overheating. If you take the thermostat out and run it, then the hot water will get out of the engine just fine but the other water (which should be cooling down in the radiator) will not stay in the radiator long enough to cool and eventually the engine will get hotter and hotter... hence still overheating, just not as bad. Neet little device, huh? So replace your thermostat and try it.

 

[ChoochCharlie]

I did that on my old FJ40. Ran without the thermostat for a few months until I needed heat.

I did change my current thermostat.

 

[ChoochCharlie]

I think I got it this time.
The radiator is still pretty gunked up, and needs a flush or maybe replacement. But, I think the water pump was vapor locking. With the gunk on top of the radiator, I was having trouble getting enough coolant in the system. It was staying in the top of the radiator, and not getting to the bottom and into the pump.
Then the old radiator cap was releasing pressure and not allowing coolant to be forced down through the core.
New cap, a bit more cleaning and more coolant and she ran properly.