s13 sr20 overheating issue

[2legit2quitt]

hello guys, i have recently bought a s13 hatch with sr20 in it and im starting to have some overheating issues. I have realized that my water pump is going bad so i ordered a new one. here is my story: basically i was driving back from the mall with my friend and all of a sudden my car stopped boosting. I mean the boost gauge showed me that i am boosting the stock 7psi but the power wasn't there at all.. i felt like i was driving a civic. i parked up, popped my hood to check for leak from the turbo or any leak but did not see anything, i checked if a coupler popped out anywhere but nothing as well.. as i was checking everything under the hood, the car started smoking and it started to smell like rubber/plastic. i couldn't figure out where the smoke was coming from, but when i checked my temperature it was way past the middle and i shut the car off. ever since then the car has been sitting on my driveway until i figure it all out. HELP please :facepalm:

[freeagent3117]

can you let us know a little bit more about your car? Are you running stock cooling? electronic boost controller? Plus if you "noticed" your water pump was going bad why the heck were you driving the car?

[2legit2quitt]

Stock cooling aluminum radiator 2 fans. No boost controller runnin the stock 7psi and I'm not driving it it's been sittin in the garage.

[freeagent3117]

Stock cooling aluminum radiator 2 fans. No boost controller runnin the stock 7psi and I'm not driving it it's been sittin in the garage.

When you let the car idle does the e-fans come on when temp goes up? If they do then id buy a thermostat and throw that in there. They are cheap and can cause issues. If thats not it then its gotta be the water pump. You did check the coolant level right? ;) When cars overheat they are very weak.

[2legit2quitt]

my radiator fans seem not to work as well and when i turn the car on the heat inside doesnt start blowing hot untill i drive the car for like half a mile as well. radiator is full of coolant as well. another thing i realized is whn the car is about to overheat smoke comes out of the exhaust and it smells like buring rubber/plastic

[2legit2quitt]

funny thing is i just warmed it up, drove it for like 15 minutes and everything worked fine, it was boosting right and driving like a brand new car.. how weird. didnt overheat didnt at all temp was perfect

[freeagent3117]

funny thing is i just warmed it up, drove it for like 15 minutes and everything worked fine, it was boosting right and driving like a brand new car.. how weird. didnt overheat didnt at all temp was perfect

That is weird, id just check all your connections for the e-fans. Id still throw a thermostat in, it could just be getting stuck closed. They are SUPER cheap and easy to fix. Good luck with your ride!!!!

p.s. Not trying to scare you but if your getting white smoke, id do a compression check when the cars warm.

[2legit2quitt]

yeah ill just replace it thats what someone else told me as well :P thanks for help man :)

[Garage Life]

if you getting white smoke[sweet smell] coming from the exhaust, theres a good chance the headgasket is blown, and head could be warped..Or the HG is on its way out under heat.. This could all happen when you overheat. [maybe the fans didnt kick on?] To be sure, you can use a block tester, and test if there is exhaust gas in the cooling system. You might be able to rent one at autozone. if you are unsure hit me up.. I have a shop in socal..

[fliprayzin240sx]

Compression check and see where its at...