Menzenski
Formerly Mambeu
I have a 1990 Renix 4.0 (w/ AC).
For the last few weeks (ever since I installed the proper coolant temperature sending unit to go with the gauge I installed almost a year ago), my XJ's coolant temp has gotten up near 250 at least once per day. There's one stretch of road, mostly flat actually, where it's guaranteed to happen. Every day on my way to school, I now have to budget time to pull over and let it cool before continuing.
I checked the coolant, and found that it was a little low. I added coolant , and it didn't seem to help. Tonight I flushed the coolant (I put almost four gallons of distilled water through the system) until it drained clear, and then refilled with 50/50 distilled water and antifreeze. It didn't help either.
I've noticed some things that I think contribute to my overheating:
1. I have a header now (painted Pacesetter). I don't know how directly that would contribute to my overheating problem, but I'm sure it can't help.
2. My coolant overflow bottle is cracked, and the cap doesn't seem to be sealing (I could hear it hissing when the engine was running). That's getting replaced for sure.
3. I have never noticed my auxiliary electrical fan running. It's supposed to come on automatically when the A/C turns on, right? My A/C doesn't work, but I expected the fan to kick on when I switched on 'A/C max'. No dice.
4. I believe the radiator is the original 1990 unit, with close to 175,000 miles on it. I'm no mechanic, but it doesn't look like it's in the best of health. Here's a crappy cell phone picture to show how corroded the hard line is, and how the fins are falling off and just plain old-looking:
Given what I've just posted above, do I need to replace my radiator? I know I probably should, but the engine it cools is on its last legs, and I'd prefer to just nurse it until I can afford to replace it all if I can.
For the last few weeks (ever since I installed the proper coolant temperature sending unit to go with the gauge I installed almost a year ago), my XJ's coolant temp has gotten up near 250 at least once per day. There's one stretch of road, mostly flat actually, where it's guaranteed to happen. Every day on my way to school, I now have to budget time to pull over and let it cool before continuing.
I checked the coolant, and found that it was a little low. I added coolant , and it didn't seem to help. Tonight I flushed the coolant (I put almost four gallons of distilled water through the system) until it drained clear, and then refilled with 50/50 distilled water and antifreeze. It didn't help either.
I've noticed some things that I think contribute to my overheating:
1. I have a header now (painted Pacesetter). I don't know how directly that would contribute to my overheating problem, but I'm sure it can't help.
2. My coolant overflow bottle is cracked, and the cap doesn't seem to be sealing (I could hear it hissing when the engine was running). That's getting replaced for sure.
3. I have never noticed my auxiliary electrical fan running. It's supposed to come on automatically when the A/C turns on, right? My A/C doesn't work, but I expected the fan to kick on when I switched on 'A/C max'. No dice.
4. I believe the radiator is the original 1990 unit, with close to 175,000 miles on it. I'm no mechanic, but it doesn't look like it's in the best of health. Here's a crappy cell phone picture to show how corroded the hard line is, and how the fins are falling off and just plain old-looking:
Given what I've just posted above, do I need to replace my radiator? I know I probably should, but the engine it cools is on its last legs, and I'd prefer to just nurse it until I can afford to replace it all if I can.