Good day folks.

 

I am thinking about replacing my radiator. I have an 88 GL Wagon, 3 spd tranny, with on demand 4x4 SPFI. It recently started to alomst overheat, never let it hit the red though. Like it would climb to the white part of the needle, just before the red. Mostly happened when I was climbing hills or even on the freeway. The headgasket is good. My coolant is really clean and so is my oil. I have replaced the rad cap, which made a difference as well as the T-stat and gasket. I had a little leak at the gasket that I noticed so I re-seated it and it doesn't seem to leak there anymore as much, but the temp still likes to climb/creep up a bit...too close for comfort. I think it might be losing just a tiny bit still, so I need to check that first but I might want a bigger, cooler rad. Next in the chain of inexpensiveness would be the radiator. I have heard about using the Loyale rads, but does anyone know if I should go for an aftermarket one, or hit a junk yard for a particiular type? I want one that will fit with ease yet will help me stay cooler.

 

Dean

From what I know, the GLs rad is the same as the Loyales (As long as their both automatic)

 

I'm sure a few others will pop in

 

-Tom

try replacing the water pump

and is the radiator fan working correctly?

Thanks guys. I would do the water pump but from what I can tell, that means I have to pull off the timing belt. I have never done a timing belt and I am a little afraid to try. I'll go with the rad first I suppose.

Sorry, yes the fan is coming on at temp. I am pretty sure that the gauge is reporting the temp correctly too.

Found I had a leak! It's a small leak on what I believe is the 'bypass hose' that goes from the manifold to the thermostat housing. Hopefully that helps keep er cool when it's replaced. It would only get real hot when I was pushing up hills or driving hard around town.

timing belt? what?

 

its not in there but even if it was its not a big deal in these cars.

 

if the hose doesent fix it i would try the pump still.

i'd also go for a new rad because most of the rads in the yard (where i am atleast) are usually full of choclate milk

Ok, I am crazy. The water pump is right up front. I don't have to remove the timing belt to get at the water pump. Alternator belt...maybe. Yeah a new rad sounds like the way to go. I just wasn't sure if I could get an aftermarket one or if I was forced to get an old one. By the sounds of it, the dual core ones are the way to go. Cool...literally.

Your symptoms sound to me like it's time for a new radiator. A dual core is better, but I put in an aftermarket single core about 3 years ago that works fine for me, even at 110+ degrees for days on end. I don't have many mountains to climb, though.

Most of the rads in the yard (where i am atleast) are usually full of chocolate milk

 

What?

 

-Tom

Check your fan on the water pump too. I think the clutch was weak in mine and the temperature would start to go up when I ran the AC so I could only run it for a couple of minutes. I replaced it with one from the junkyard and now I can run the AC without the temperature going up.

 

If you find a dual/two row radiator, please post where you got and the part number so I can get one too. Thanks.

Well, replacing the bypass hose and burping it has brought it back down to cool temps! Little less than half on the gauge. As far as new rads go, all the 2 core/row I could find was here: http://www.usaradiator.com/

 

They have the two cores that fit the Loyales...which is close enough I'd imagine.