Cooling System
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This area is dedicated to technical discussions concerning SW20's. Please try to spell correctly because this will help people find information later if they are using search functionality. If you need assistance with your car and want to host a spanner day, please use the appropriate section of the forum: http://mr2.org.nz/phpbb3/viewforum.php?f=35 Thank you.
- Crawls
- Executive Officer - MR2OCNZ
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Cooling System
Ok, had a wee drive around today, found a problem (again FML).
This one has the capability to be an absolute NIGHTMARE... So before it does, here is what i have noticed.
The car warmed up nicely as normal, but noticed that the rad fans never turned on. I am aware that one is for the AC.
The engine bay fan didnt either but i just unplugged sensor and left it on.
So, my question is simple. Do I replace just the sensor for the fans or spend some money and replace the whole system (Hoses, pump, everything)?
As the car is 30 years old i am thinking about just replacing everything. I can find most things for it except the hoses. I want to replace all hoses but cant find where to get them from. I have checked the steel pipes under car and unbelievably they are in great condition.
So if anyone has a great place to get from, I am all ears.
Cheers
This one has the capability to be an absolute NIGHTMARE... So before it does, here is what i have noticed.
The car warmed up nicely as normal, but noticed that the rad fans never turned on. I am aware that one is for the AC.
The engine bay fan didnt either but i just unplugged sensor and left it on.
So, my question is simple. Do I replace just the sensor for the fans or spend some money and replace the whole system (Hoses, pump, everything)?
As the car is 30 years old i am thinking about just replacing everything. I can find most things for it except the hoses. I want to replace all hoses but cant find where to get them from. I have checked the steel pipes under car and unbelievably they are in great condition.
So if anyone has a great place to get from, I am all ears.
Cheers
Keith "Crawls" Crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
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- Site Admin - MR2OCNZ
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Re: Cooling System
There's heaps of hose kits on TradeMe, but you'll need to cut the excess, they don't all fit perfectly. IMO take the rad to get reconditioned instead of getting an aluminium one that you have to play around with to get to fit. Check the radiator supports, those are normally stuffed. Delete the stupid throttle body coolant lines that just get in the way. If you can, do some other job at the same time since you're dumping the coolant anyway, like the timing belt + water pump.
Just pour some regular green coolant in, preferably the old style stuff and not the organic-compound based (OAT/HOAT). IAT is worse for the environment but it tends to do better with yellow metal like the heater core and heater pipes. Probably want to do a couple of chemical flushes too. I personally run like 50/50 since it will last a little longer, but the operating temp is slightly higher since there's less water to actually conduct heat. When I did a full drain of everything (pipes, rad, block, overflow tank) and some flushes it takes a while since you have bleed it quite a bit and you probably want to do a full water fill up after the flushes to make sure you get everything. The heater circuit us pretty hard to drain.
Just pour some regular green coolant in, preferably the old style stuff and not the organic-compound based (OAT/HOAT). IAT is worse for the environment but it tends to do better with yellow metal like the heater core and heater pipes. Probably want to do a couple of chemical flushes too. I personally run like 50/50 since it will last a little longer, but the operating temp is slightly higher since there's less water to actually conduct heat. When I did a full drain of everything (pipes, rad, block, overflow tank) and some flushes it takes a while since you have bleed it quite a bit and you probably want to do a full water fill up after the flushes to make sure you get everything. The heater circuit us pretty hard to drain.
- Crawls
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Re: Cooling System
Cheers Michael. That sounds like a plan, just out of curiousity apart from possible size differences, is there anything wrong with aluminium radiators?
Keith "Crawls" Crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
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Re: Cooling System
Not really, they work, they're not corroded, they shouldn't have bent fins, and they deal with modern coolant a lot better. There's NSC and Fenix, both which I'm sure you'll find something for under 200$. There OE one does obviously fit perfectly, copper is just a straight up better material for heat exchangers, it's about twice as conductive, handles pressure + getting beat up better, and tends to have less shit build up on it. Our OE tanks don't have plastic ends either so unless your radiator is beat up there isn't really a reason to get a new one. You probably won't have any of these issues with the aluminum radiator, especially with an NA.
- Crawls
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Re: Cooling System
Thanks for that. I will see what the OEM one looks like when it comes out, and make a decision then
Keith "Crawls" Crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
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- Site Admin - MR2OCNZ
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Re: Cooling System
I just realised, you're not in Auckland. I guess it becomes more of which is easier for you and patience level Rad cleaning places are already not very common in traffic central.
- Crawls
- Executive Officer - MR2OCNZ
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Re: Cooling System
Yea I just googled fenix, we have a couple of places in town that do rads so never know
Keith "Crawls" Crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
- GDII
- Forum Moderator - MR2OCNZ
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Re: Cooling System
These cars have 14.7 litres of coolant in them. The radiator fan doesn't turn on much as the cooling system tend to work well without it. I've only noticed my fan turn on very seldom.
For a car that sat for 13 years a coolant system update might be in order. The radiator in the NA Auto is the same as the turbo versions. Same part number. Probably needs a good clean out by a professional who can disassemble it. One thing I have found on these old engines is the coolant pipe on the back of the block gets filled with rusty deposits as it's a low point in the water jacket around the cylinder walls. This can be removed and cleared out.
For a car that sat for 13 years a coolant system update might be in order. The radiator in the NA Auto is the same as the turbo versions. Same part number. Probably needs a good clean out by a professional who can disassemble it. One thing I have found on these old engines is the coolant pipe on the back of the block gets filled with rusty deposits as it's a low point in the water jacket around the cylinder walls. This can be removed and cleared out.
1990 SW20 MR2 G-Limited (GEN4 3SGTE Installed)
2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
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2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
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- Crawls
- Executive Officer - MR2OCNZ
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Re: Cooling System
You are right Phill, but the temp gauge was over 3/4 and nothing went on. Thats why i am in this spot.
I will check fans etc, make sure they actually go. And I will take radiator into local specialist to have a look at after lock down is over.
The whole system needs some TLC, as you say after 13 years.
It will be noted in my Rides section over the next few weeks as i get into it. Pics and all.
Keith "Crawls" Crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
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- Site Admin - MR2OCNZ
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Re: Cooling System
Oh yeah, I forgot. There's a test it the BGB for the fan switch, I can't remember what temperature, but if you put the jug on that should do. It's a proper PITA to change in the car. Good luck, hopefully all the hoses co-operate and come off
- Crawls
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Re: Cooling System
Thanks Michael. I saw the test in the bgb. I have been thinking that I will test fans and replace everything else
Keith "Crawls" Crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
- tw2
- Area Coordinator - MR2OCNZ
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Re: Cooling System
I had my radiator recored. Glad I did. I did most of the cooling system. I have a photo on my rides page on the cutting of the hoses. I got a kit from mr2 heaven with some other parts. Hopefully you have had the bumper off? That took longer than anything else.
Thomas, 91 G, 05 E55
Area Coordinator Waikato
Area Coordinator Waikato
- Crawls
- Executive Officer - MR2OCNZ
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Re: Cooling System
Haha, no. Want to take it off, but am pressed for space. In the bgb it says how to get radiator out. So I will go with that.
Keith "Crawls" Crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
- ClanFever
- Executive Officer - MR2OCNZ
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Re: Cooling System
Have you bled the car properly, with the arse end higher than the front, and the bleed nipples on both the radiator and heater undone, with the heater running?
I couldn't get my fans to turn on when I was bleeding my car, and it was running for long periods of time, nearly an hour. The first time I heard it go off was on the way back from the AGM last month when it was quite hot and I was running it hard for long hours, so a couple times when coming to a stop I heard it come on
I couldn't get my fans to turn on when I was bleeding my car, and it was running for long periods of time, nearly an hour. The first time I heard it go off was on the way back from the AGM last month when it was quite hot and I was running it hard for long hours, so a couple times when coming to a stop I heard it come on
Ex-President & Wellington Area Coordinator & Lower North MR2 Leader
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Current: 1992 Toyota MR2 G-Limited with Gen 4 3S-GTE + CT20B (APEXED), 2005 Toyota IST, 2008 Toyota Vanguard - 2GR!
Past: 1990 Toyota MR2 G-Limited, "Semi Parts Car" 1991 Toyota MR2 G-Limited, '91 G-Limited, '89 G-Limited, '91 NZ New MR2, '91 G-Limited, '91 GT (Parts Car), '99 Altezza 3SGE, '98 Altezza 1GFE, '88 Corolla, '96 Curren, '94 Ceres Corolla, '94 Levin, '90 Hiace Super Custom 4x4, '91 Mirage, '93 MX-6 J-Spec, '91 Familia, '91 Galant, '90 Navara, '96 Commodore, '94 Pajero, '89 Lancer, '93 Pajero, '92 Pajero, '89 Mirage, '92 Terrano, '87 Familia, '03 Colt, '91 Pajero, '91 Pajero, '97 Carib, '96 Carina, '02 Turbo Forester
- Crawls
- Executive Officer - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 330
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2017 10:23 pm
- Stomping Ground: Hawkes Bay
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Keith
Re: Cooling System
Yea have bled it properly. I do remember them going before we took it off the road. I think because of the age and the unknown status of the entire system, a big overhaul is due.
Just another thing to add to the Rides list...
Just another thing to add to the Rides list...
Keith "Crawls" Crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley