[kalebgonzalez777]

Hey guys,

Recently i bought my first trooper and I have been working on it for a few months( I am not a mechanic, total noob). Recently I've started to have an overheating issue, especially at lower speeds. Got a new radiator, new hoses, changed the fan to an electric fan, new overflow tank, had the cooling system flushed (A bunch of crap came out since it sat for at least 15 years, new injectors, alternator, A/C compressor but AC doesnt work yet, new fuel system... I'm stumped.. Everything else seems to run well besides a small steady tranny leak. I was told to change the water pump but i can see its moving water when the tstat opens up. Any tips? someone also brought up that maybe the fan (proform 14in electric fan 1650 CFM) is not strong enough... i truly have no clue. Any insight would be welcome.

 

[kalebgonzalez777]

Have you replaced the thermostat? also what about the coolant temp sensor

Thermostat is brand new, have not changed temp sensor

 

[kalebgonzalez777]

been there with my 1990 v6 trooper, and I have designed cooling systems for manufacturers so may b able to help.
first off, I doubt your electic fan will move enough air and I would go back to mechanical fan....but first I would get a new one. the OE fans have a hydraulic clutch that may have failed so the fan speed may not have increased with temperature.

overheating on a 50/50 antifreeze takes places at about 250f with stock 16 psi cap but lower temps if caps old and less pressure. change it out. check oil for any moisture to be sure you don't have internal leak and losing pressure (check for moisture on inside of oil fill cap). if you changed your coolant just prior to problem, likely got air in system so burp it.

check radiator shroud for any gaps and seal with RTV or similar....air takes patch of least resistance and could be sucking air around the radiator rather than through.
if you haven't changed thermostat, do it.
I would also check if temp gauge is accurate using a cheap IR thermometer.

another suggestion while troubling shooting is use water instead of antifreeze....it's easier and cheaper to drain and replace while trying different components....it will also cool a bit better than antifreeze so reference this when taking temps.

Any suggestions on which mechanical fan and clutch to buy? When i got the trooper the fan had 1 that didnt get eaten by rodents so i just threw the whole thing away. My Shroud is the OEM shroud but i do believe there are gaps between the radiator and the shroud. I did have to replace the overflow tank because it had a huge hole was just dumping coolant. New tank is holding but still got hot. Radiator cap is brand new as well and new thermostat as well. I really appreciate yalls feedback on this! ive had 0 luck with help anywhere else. You guys are awesome!

 

[kalebgonzalez777]

Ya, glad I may be able to help. Rockauto has new clutches for less than $50 but the fan blade itself is only OEM now. I would post on the site if someone has one for cheap (get the mounting bolts as well.. IF the radiator is already been cleaned, I would seal the gaps with shroud. Cooling systems solutions are often multiple little fixes. If you get an IR thermometer you may be able to isolate the issues a bit as well as confirm temp gauge is accurate. But again, really be sure there is no air in the system ….. this may save you a lot of time and $. Steam in system will also cause gauge to read high….. simply remove the cap when cold and run engine and look for air bubbles. Remember that the system is not pressured so only get it to temp when thermostat opens ( you’ll notice the flow). If you raise front of car a bit it will expedite process a bit.

you may be able to fix the expansion tank hole with some 2 part epoxy like jb weld. There’s no pressure in tank, but it will get hot.

be sure there is no water in oil…that’s bad but won’t usually cause your issues unless really extreme.

let us know how it goes.

You guys are amazing!!! put a fan with a much higher CMF rating and all overheating issues are gone! Now i just gotta figure out why it stops shifting after running a little while and fix the transmission leak. THANK YOU GUYS SOOO MUCH!!! Also i checked and there seems to be no moisture in the in the oil.