New Radiator problem

[pippo]

People,

Installed a new radiator in my 87 sunbird. The old one leaked a bit, but was cooling well, no problems. All I did was put in a new rad. Now, it does not cool as well. The temp guage settles about 1/2 way toward the danger zone (9:00 position) where the old rad always stayed 1/4 of the way (about 7:00 position). Any idea what happened?

Thanks, people.

 

[melsg5]

When you say new, it's not a used radiator?
Is the core size identical including thickness?
You filled the system with either premixed or 50/50 coolant?
Is the radiator cap new?

 

[92 Sunbird LE]

New one clogged? Or did you get all the air out?

Doug in P.R.

 

[pippo]

new, not used. 50/50 coolant. Old one never clogged. worked well. new rad cap. mystery.

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[pippo]

New one clogged? Or did you get all the air out?

Doug in P.R.

i just filled the new one up. I drove it for 40 miles already. I never had to do anything else on a new rad since ownership. Maybe there is still air in it?

 

[92 Sunbird LE]

It takes a while to get air out of these cars because of the screwy radiator setup, ( cap is on the engine not the radiator) radiator does have a cap but is too low to get all the air out. Take out the Tstat and let it burb a little.....while running

Doug in P.R.,

 

[pippo]

It takes a while to get air out of these cars because of the screwy radiator setup, ( cap is on the engine not the radiator) radiator does have a cap but is too low to get all the air out. Take out the Tstat and let it burb a little.....while running Doug in P.R.,

Good tip, Doug. While Im at it, can I keep the tstat out? I mean, wont the car run cooler with no tstat? That would mean that the circuit would always be open, and coolant circulates all the time, right? Dont want to make any mistake/wrong conclusion.

 

[92 Sunbird LE]

Just take it out to get the air out, put it back in when done. ( I run mine with no stat, going on 11 years) so it's ok without it too. ( No ill effects so far)

Doug in P.R.

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[pippo]

Good to know. I will try that!