Car running hot even with new radiator

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JamusMcFamus
Posts: 98
Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2011 9:42 pm
Location: North Augusta, SC

Car running hot even with new radiator

Post by JamusMcFamus »

My '79 528iA was running pretty warmly on the highway. It has a new thermostat, so I deduced it was the radiator. I had it re-cored and installed it this weekend. I filled it up with coolant, bled it and took it for a drive. The damn thing still runs hot! It's just below the 3/4 mark on the temp gauge.

Could it be that the thermostat is a faulty one? The lower radiator hose gets pretty damn hot - at least comparable to the upper hose. I don't know where else to look.
BimBim2oo2
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Location: Boise, Idaho

Post by BimBim2oo2 »

fan clutch?
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JamusMcFamus
Posts: 98
Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2011 9:42 pm
Location: North Augusta, SC

Post by JamusMcFamus »

Fan clutch is brand new. It doesn't really overheat at idle, only when driving.
BimBim2oo2
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Location: Boise, Idaho

Post by BimBim2oo2 »

Water pump?

Check for leaks even with new hoses. I would then look at the radiator.
"The greatest gifts in life are the one's we give ourselves"

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1980 M535
2012 Prius
2014 Focus ST
2013 KLR650
JamusMcFamus
Posts: 98
Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2011 9:42 pm
Location: North Augusta, SC

Post by JamusMcFamus »

No leaks, new water pump.

The radiator was just re-cored and it was tested before I took it back from the shop.
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Jeff Dennis
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Location: Huntsville, Alabama

Post by Jeff Dennis »

Remove the thermostat see where your temp is you might get an infrared temp sensor tool and check the temp at the hoses and radiator could be your gauge is inaccurate. Otherwise I might suspect a small crack in the head any white smoke? I would think normal running temp should be 195 F to 205 F.
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