running VERY cold!!!
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Elder User
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From: Maricopa
running VERY cold!!!
So I have a 92 with a 2.3, and since I got it it always ran cold, never getting higher than the n in normal. On Wednesday the water pump blew and I really didn't feel like doing it so I sent it to a shop and had it replaced, along with the timing belt and serpentine belt, and replace the fuel filter. along the way they discovered that my radiator was supposedly bad, and for an extra 96 bucks they could get me an aluminum radiator, pretty decent price so I gave them the go ahead, now I haven't gotten higher than the "c"!!! I know this summer it will be great in the Arizona heat, but come winter I will have no hot air coming through the heater, anyone have an idea of how to "fix" that?
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I had same cool running problem and it was fine for the summer But it did not get very warm before I pilled into work in the winter. BRRR.
I replaced my thermostat and that was that.
Be sure to watch how the old one comes out and put the new one in the same direction and make sure the small bypass whole is in the same position as the old one.
Also, be sure to stuff the hole with a rag while you clean the old gasket off the mating faces. Maybe you already thought about that already.
I replaced my thermostat and that was that.
Be sure to watch how the old one comes out and put the new one in the same direction and make sure the small bypass whole is in the same position as the old one.
Also, be sure to stuff the hole with a rag while you clean the old gasket off the mating faces. Maybe you already thought about that already.
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I wonder if the the temp. sending unit has gone bad and it s not giving you a proper reading or that they put a colder thermostat in. I have never heard anything like this, it's always a too hot situation. I guess you can put a piece of cardboard in front of part of the radiator in the winter to make it run warmer.
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From: Boston, MA
I wonder if the the temp. sending unit has gone bad and it s not giving you a proper reading or that they put a colder thermostat in. I have never heard anything like this, it's always a too hot situation. I guess you can put a piece of cardboard in front of part of the radiator in the winter to make it run warmer.
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I have no idea what was wrong with the original radiator, unfortunately I had some paint cans that busted open in the bed while the original was in there and not thinking I junked it...
I do still have the old tstat which was working fine, it's a 195 degree, but I figured if I'm replacing the rest might as well replace it too. The whole system had nasty deteriorated coolant, who knows how old it is, I know the PO quite well and I know he didn't have money and only did regular maintenance when he had a little extra. the only reason I bought the truck was because I needed something and I too had no money and it was $450.
now how much of a cooling difference does an aluminum radiator make? I know it does some but as to how much I have no idea, I do know that it helped a TON in my 65 that was prone to overheating. The one thing I forgot to do when it was all taken apart is I have a bad fan clutch... now here's an idea, what about switching over to electric fans that only come on when it's a lot hotter rather than the constant running belt driven?
I do still have the old tstat which was working fine, it's a 195 degree, but I figured if I'm replacing the rest might as well replace it too. The whole system had nasty deteriorated coolant, who knows how old it is, I know the PO quite well and I know he didn't have money and only did regular maintenance when he had a little extra. the only reason I bought the truck was because I needed something and I too had no money and it was $450.
now how much of a cooling difference does an aluminum radiator make? I know it does some but as to how much I have no idea, I do know that it helped a TON in my 65 that was prone to overheating. The one thing I forgot to do when it was all taken apart is I have a bad fan clutch... now here's an idea, what about switching over to electric fans that only come on when it's a lot hotter rather than the constant running belt driven?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Boston, MA
I have no idea what was wrong with the original radiator, unfortunately I had some paint cans that busted open in the bed while the original was in there and not thinking I junked it...
I do still have the old tstat which was working fine, it's a 195 degree, but I figured if I'm replacing the rest might as well replace it too. The whole system had nasty deteriorated coolant, who knows how old it is, I know the PO quite well and I know he didn't have money and only did regular maintenance when he had a little extra. the only reason I bought the truck was because I needed something and I too had no money and it was $450.
now how much of a cooling difference does an aluminum radiator make? I know it does some but as to how much I have no idea, I do know that it helped a TON in my 65 that was prone to overheating. The one thing I forgot to do when it was all taken apart is I have a bad fan clutch... now here's an idea, what about switching over to electric fans that only come on when it's a lot hotter rather than the constant running belt driven?
I do still have the old tstat which was working fine, it's a 195 degree, but I figured if I'm replacing the rest might as well replace it too. The whole system had nasty deteriorated coolant, who knows how old it is, I know the PO quite well and I know he didn't have money and only did regular maintenance when he had a little extra. the only reason I bought the truck was because I needed something and I too had no money and it was $450.
now how much of a cooling difference does an aluminum radiator make? I know it does some but as to how much I have no idea, I do know that it helped a TON in my 65 that was prone to overheating. The one thing I forgot to do when it was all taken apart is I have a bad fan clutch... now here's an idea, what about switching over to electric fans that only come on when it's a lot hotter rather than the constant running belt driven?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
I have no idea what was wrong with the original radiator, unfortunately I had some paint cans that busted open in the bed while the original was in there and not thinking I junked it...
I do still have the old tstat which was working fine, it's a 195 degree, but I figured if I'm replacing the rest might as well replace it too. The whole system had nasty deteriorated coolant, who knows how old it is, I know the PO quite well and I know he didn't have money and only did regular maintenance when he had a little extra. the only reason I bought the truck was because I needed something and I too had no money and it was $450.
now how much of a cooling difference does an aluminum radiator make? I know it does some but as to how much I have no idea, I do know that it helped a TON in my 65 that was prone to overheating. The one thing I forgot to do when it was all taken apart is I have a bad fan clutch... now here's an idea, what about switching over to electric fans that only come on when it's a lot hotter rather than the constant running belt driven?
I do still have the old tstat which was working fine, it's a 195 degree, but I figured if I'm replacing the rest might as well replace it too. The whole system had nasty deteriorated coolant, who knows how old it is, I know the PO quite well and I know he didn't have money and only did regular maintenance when he had a little extra. the only reason I bought the truck was because I needed something and I too had no money and it was $450.
now how much of a cooling difference does an aluminum radiator make? I know it does some but as to how much I have no idea, I do know that it helped a TON in my 65 that was prone to overheating. The one thing I forgot to do when it was all taken apart is I have a bad fan clutch... now here's an idea, what about switching over to electric fans that only come on when it's a lot hotter rather than the constant running belt driven?
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Elder User
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From: Maricopa
In retrospect, I probably should've done the work myself, but I was feeling lazy and my pops helped me pay for it to go to a shop.
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From: Maricopa
Fan spins freely by hand.
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My '97 2.3 runs 'cold' as well. I changed the thermostat, etc etc. I get heat in the winter with a piece of cardboard over appx 80% of the radiator. Gets normal heat then! Great if you raelly worked the truck I reckon!!
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Slide a single wall piece of cardboard between the ac condenser and the radiator. Make sure that it's long enough to come out the top and fold over a little. Makes a good pull handle to get it out. I work in a warehouse where we have lots of used cardboard available. One piece will last all winter.