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Overheating, LIM?

iamz3r0

iamz3r0

New member
I just had to curb my '93 GP SE because of some overheating issues. Took it up the street and paid a good chunk to be told it was my lower intake manifold gasket going bad and my radiator has to be replaced. I was quoted at 6-8 hours of labor.

I've done my research and figured if it is in fact the gasket going, unless I do it myself it may not be worth it. Especially knowing it could also be a head gasket issue.

Sitting in park it does idle a bit rough. It holds coolant but leaks slowly. I was recently told the prior owner topped up with DEXCOOL. It was run after this. The leak doesn't appear to be from around the engine, it seems to be around the radiator and hoses, however it doesn't really leak until it's hot. There doesn't seem to be coolant in the oil (yet). If I start it cold, it takes less than 10 minutes to run hot. The thermostat looks fairly new. The mechanic that diagnosed it explained to me he drained and refilled the coolant system. I'm a bit lost given I'm not mechanically challenged but I'm also not an expert.

Does it sound like a LIM gasket or something a flush or a new radiator would help?

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I can't check yet, I'm at work. I'll hit a store on my way home and check it. Is there a another "go-to" if I don't get bubbles?
 
I'm not driving it anywhere. I'm stuck in a '97 Chrysler LHS until I figure this out. :rolleyes:

I do believe it is the 3100.
 


Thing is, I don't lose a noticeable amount of coolant until it overheats. Even then it's only a slow drip. It just goes to max temp in about 10-15 mins whether I drive anywhere or not.

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Are you seeing any cracks or anything in the hoses or the radiator? The LIM gasket leaks on the inside, so you'll notice it in your oil, not on/under the motor. If you're seeing leaks from the hoses/radiator connections, then you'll definitely want to replace those. No biggie doing those - plenty of room to work with. As for it heating up quickly, you might have air in the system. Try bleeding the air out of the system.
 
The hoses are fairly new and in good shape. No cracks or bulging, and they aren't "spongey". I have one that leaks where it connects but I tightened it and it only leaks when it heats up what I can tell it doesn't seem to leak from the radiator itself.

There doesn't look like there is coolant in the oil. If there is it's not visible.

Isn't there one valve near the water pump and one on the thermostat?

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Just burped both, runs without overheating but still hot.

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Got the leak sealed with a new hose clamp. The one there wasn't doing a good job. No more leaking but it still runs around 230.

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You mentioned that the shop told you that the radiator needed to be replaced. Is it in bad shape / clogged? Maybe try flushing your cooling system to get as much junk out that could be slowing down the cooling process.
 
I didn't back flush it but I have a "flush-n-fill" kit if it'll make a difference. I did drain the radiator/reservoir and flush with water but nothing too extensive.


An update:

- Checked water pump, seems good given I get a good coolant flow.

- Checked thermostat, good, opens when hot.

- No leaks, hoses good. Replaced the old, weak, springy hose clamps with new ones.

- "Rinsed" radiator and reservoir.

- Bled air from coolant system

- Checked radiator externally for damage, no cracks, leaks or other damage. The plug was leaking but I tightened it where it doesn't leak.

- No visible coolant in oil (oil looks like oil)

As soon as I replaced the leaking hose clamps everything dried up in minutes.

It'll run fine, heat up to 230-250 degrees, then as soon as the primary fan kicks on it'll cool to 220. If I drive/rev the engine it cools significantly. The temperature jumps around often and the "high temp" light will glow a bit. This is WAY better than it was but 230 seems way too hot.

I thought about wiring the secondary fan up to the primary and letting both run but that would cover up the problem rather than solve it.

EDIT: Just looked around a bit more, found a bit of a wet spot down deeper. There's a possibility its old oil that's been spilled but it's been awhile since I did that. I have a feeling old spilled coolant would evaporate and not puddle. Unfortunately I can't check it until I'm home and can pull the air box out to access it.

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