[Shotimes] Re: SLO overheating: update

[fwhittle@mindspring.com]

Mine had non-functioning fans for a while--was fine driving highway speeds, but overheated in traffic.  Turns out they were just unplugged.  Hopefully, this is your problem instead of a bad fan motor or ICRM.

Frank Whittle
'95 ATX

Reply-To: <jkoper@frankgates.com>
From: "Koper Jim" <jkoper@frankgates.com>
To: <shotimes@autox.team.net>
Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2004 12:20:43 -0500
Subject: [Shotimes] SLO overheating: update

Still having cooling challenges with my brother's 93 3.8 SLO. Since my last
post from last week, I've replaced the radiator, a few hoses, and determined
that the heater core was not blocked (blew through heater hose tube, and
coolant spewed out, followed by air flow) and water pump was still working
(coolant flowed through the "crossover hose").

While not 100% way to rule out blown head gasket, the "# 4" spark plug was
free of antifreeze residue.

Yet the engine still ends up emanating steam after about 15 minutes of
idling. The radiator (brand new!) started to steam through the fins.  Of
note: the temp gauge slowly warmed to the halfway mark, but then quickly
shot up to about the 3/4 mark, and then went back to halfway again.

Anyone have a brand new stat NOT work? Well, it did open in a pot of boiling
water, but I did not determine at what temp it actually opened.

Have I overlooked the obvious? I have noticed the fan never kicked on once
during my evaluations. Is this a typical trouble spot for Tauri? What is the
best way to test it? Run leads from the fan plug to the battery? Use an
ohmmeter? If the fan is good, then is the "Integrated control relay module",
or  whatever it is called, the culprit? If the fan is bad, is there a way to
just buy the motor? (Al Fitz is a phone call away).

The ECT (engine coolant temp) sensor (I think that's what it's called) which
is near the T-stat housing has not been replaced or tested. Is there a way
to test this to avoid an unnecessary replacement?

Thanks to those who have responded to the first post from last week. I
appreciate any additional info. After the fan and ECT analysis, it's going
to the stealership for troubleshooting. Help me stop THAT crime from
occurring!!

Jim