Overheating problem

[GJarrett]

'99 SOHC, 142k miles....

It does okay as long as I am moving and on the road or the outside temp is not hot, but once I get stuck in stop-and-go traffic in 80 degree+ weather, and/or with the AC on, or am in 4wd lowrange on the trail, it overheats.

I banged up my radiator on rocks and pinched off the bottom two flow fins, so I took out the radiator and banged it back out to open them up, but of course cannot confirm that made a difference. I've replaced the thrermostat and also the radiator cap.

Either the radiator is still not right, or can the water pump "sorta" work but not quite at full efficiency? I cannot hear the water pump whining or making noises and it's not leaking. Can a water pump operate at reduced ability, or does when one go out it really goes completely bad?

Water pump = $60 to replace, the radiator is $250. If it's possible that the water pump is the problem, I'd rather try it first before buying the radiator. I'm thinking it's probably the radiator though.

Opinions?

 

[Ray Lobato]

Gerald,
More than likely it's the radiator. Water pumps either work or they don't. They either leak or they don't. Unless you fan belt is squealing badly, it's getting a full pull from the engine. Is you fan working properly. maybe it's not engaging all the way, therefore not spinning to it's full potiential.

 

[GJarrett]

Oops, sorry, forgot to add that..... Also installed a brand new fan and fan clutch two months ago and both are working great.

I have a feeling that I'll be buying a radiator tomorrow

 

[sailorman3]

overheating

I think it can be the pump. The impeller on the pump can in time wear and corrode to almost nothing. Even if the impeller is partly gone you will have reduced flow, resulting in reduced cooling. But also do a really good flush on the rad first.It could be a couple of things.