SilverbackXJ

Hi guys,
I've got a European 01 with a 4.0 that keeps overheating. I've had it for about a year. Winter came round and there was no heat in cabin so I went to flush out the Radiator and heater core and red mud/slush was coming out.
So flushed the radiator enough times then got some CLR and flushed heater core out bunch of times. Everything was sweet there was finally heat in the cabin then out of no where she starts overheating.

The temp starts slowly rising above normal operating temp then shoots in to the red and check engine light comes on. Immediately pull over and there's coolant pissing out of the coolant reservoir bottle. Coolant is bubbling up in the bottle. The Upper Radiator hose looks like it's about to explode from back pressure lower hose warm but doesn't seem under much pressure.
Took it to the shop and I was told it's the head gasket so I **** myself thinking I might have cracked the heads cause of the whole 0331 heads. Shop changes the head gasket said heads are fine. Drove around for an hour no issues then again temp shoots up in to the red with coolant boiling out of the réservoir bottle. It seems like coolant isn't circulating either out of the Radiator or in to the engine block. New water pump and thermostat installed 6 months ago.

Has anyone experienced anything like this? Any ideas?

Thanks

Erik

PatHenry

You probably have a clogged radiator considering the sludge situation. You don't need anything fancy for the radiator - the Autozone special is sufficient. You can see if it's clogged by pulling the top and bottom hoses and trying to run water through it. Being the cost of a new radiator vs. new coolant plus the time of doing something like that, I'd just replace it. It may not be as easy or inexpensive if you're outside the U.S. though.

Another possibility is a bad aftermarket t-stat that is stuck closed.

The problem with a sludge situation is that no matter how much you flush, there's still a chance that enough little particles get stuck in the tiny passages in the radiator (over time) and once they are clogged up it can be impossible to clear them out.

papablista

I would take the thermostat out, flush engine and radiator run it without a thermostat and plain H2o for a few days (weather permitting) it won't put out much heat until it warms all the way up. but it will let the water flow unimpeded (always keep the heater on so it flushes the heater core also) drain and flush it a few times. Boil you thermostat in a pan of water while you have it out make sure it opens @ around the right temp, If that doesn't work I'd look @ the water pump. Sometimes you just get a bad one.

SilverbackXJ

PatHenry

What does your mechanic believe it is?

SilverbackXJ

He said it was the head gasket. But if a anything the bad gasket would have been a consequence of the overheating not the cause?

papablista

I think if it were the head gasket you would have other signs such a muddy oil, loss of coolant, steamy exhaust, miss firing in the engine. it's most likely radiator or water pump or both.

PatHenry

So they changed the head gasket and think that the head gasket is blown [again]?!?

Is it possible the mechanic DOES realize the radiator is clogged up and doesn't want to be on the hook for an incomplete job the first time around?

gat

What was the resolution?

SilverbackXJ

Just waiting on new Radiator to arrive and ill know for sure ...

gat

Did you install the new one yet?