S13 SR20DET overheating issues

[jiverogers]

Okay first off I bought this car recently its an 89 hatch with a redtops13 sr20det when I first bought it the only problem was a clamp was loose on a coolant hose behind the motor so I tightened it and drove it about 250 miles with relatively no problems (clutch pedal is half way down to the floor not to sure how to fix but its something I can deal with) yesterday I took it out for a drive and when I got to where I was going there was steam coming out of hood and coolant was spewing all under the car so I limped it 5 miles home , the next day I went to go start it and see if I could find this leak and nothing car idled fine there was still coolant in the reservoir but I filled it to be sure but the guy that sold it to me told me the radiator cap was to high pressure ? it was a 1.1 I think so I got the normal .9 cap and still no leaks but when I went to go drive it around the neighborhood and got on it a bit the temp gauge flew above H and then I noticed its idling around 1.5 if anyone has any idea about what could be the problem I would really appreciate it. thanks in advance

[Kingtal0n]

pressure test the cooling system for leaks

do a compression test on the engine

make sure the fans are working correctly

you are looking for either a blown head gasket or a leak somewhere in the cooling system, or a failed fan or improper fan use. Make sure you are using a mechanical clutch fan, with a shroud, and a high quality radiator. Some clutch fans can also look like they are spinning, but can be weak and fail to cool. Maybe this is the cause and the temp is rising because the mech fan is bad.

[jiverogers]

alright but wouldn't the exhaust be puffing out white smoke if its a head gasket ? really hope its not that and is there a good place to order the fan shroud? mine didn't come with one

[Karlhammer]

Napa or oreillys had a coolant engine block test kit you can buy. It checks for exhaust gases in the coolant if the head gasket took a shit. Worth buying if you don't have one. Really a great tool.

[corkscrew]

Don't trust that ^! It gives false positives and vice versa. Get a radiator pressurizing tool and check for leaks and continue diagnosing

[Karlhammer]

Worked event time I've needed it to.

[jiverogers]

My step dad has the pressure tester tool, but he said it doesn't think he has the attachment to work on my car ( he works on big diesel trucks ) does autozone or somewhere have the attachment ?

[jedi03]

they should...I got mine from a local snapon dealer...they run around everywhere too

[cotbu]

Add a few psi via the reservoir nipple or hose, look listen for leaks, from cap and hoses. I know! rocket surgery![emoji12]

[dorkidori_s13]

sounds like a busted radiator... if youre still running an OE radiator, throw it in the garbage and pick up a Koyo or Mishimoto ASAP. DO NOT BUY A GODSPEED/EBAY UNIT!!! Knock off units have horrible end tanks on them...

[sentradude]

Do you have the mechanical fan on it with the fan shroud? That is the first step

[Arrowking]

As others have said, pressure test the system first. If you have leaks in the radiator just change it out and I'd also upgrade the radiator to a quality unit (if budget allows) and add the OEM fan shroud with a mechanical clutch fan.

[Kingtal0n]

Add a few psi via the reservoir nipple or hose, look listen for leaks, from cap and hoses. I know! rocket surgery![emoji12]

this is good advice. no need to buy a special tester, if you have an air compressor handy, just fill the system via reservoir tube and check for leaks. The rad plumbing will swell rock hard with pressure if the system is sealed up right, it will hold that pressure for a while.

[Crazyced]

and is there a good place to order the fan shroud? mine didn't come with oneYou're gonna want to start with finding a shroud.

[dorkidori_s13]

FRSport sells brand new OE S13/S14 SR20det fan shrouds (main and lower bits). theyre fairly cheap... and YES you will want an OE fan shroud!!!

[TheRealSy90]

There's also side plates for the shroud that wrap around the radiator as well as another strip for the bottom half.


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