1989 Econoline Hi Top Conversion Heating
Hi -- I recently purchased a 1989 Econoline Conversion van (75K mi), thinking I would take it on an extended road trip. So far, I have not driven the van more than an hour at a time. Recently, ...
Forum Discussion
Hi,
It could be the temperature sending unit too - nothing wrong with the engine or van. Sometimes just some junk in the wiring connection can cause it to read a bit off. Extra resistance causes it to read warmer.
20/20 or 60 minutes did a show about mechanics between Barsto and Las Vegas. What they did was take a full size Jeep Wagoneer (1976 or 78 model) and disconnect the temperature sending unit. Take it to several mechanics and see what they did to the Jeep. They had outfitted the Jeep with a couple of compact cameras to record the action under the hood. This was done many years ago, perhaps in the late 80's or early 90's.
Many mechanics recommended a new radiator, or water pump, or something, only 1 said "I will re-connect this wire, drive on - no charge." One of the "New" radiators only got a fresh coat of spray paint, they never removed it from the Jeep, and bolts marked with paint and covered with dirt, when washed off after picking up the Jeep showed that the paint on the bolt was never broken, so the radiator never removed for cleaning or replacement. The family told "Go to the motel down at the end of this block, rent a room, it is very hot today, and I will call you there when the Jeep is ready"
Some mechanics can be such a rip off. But most are great people trying to seek out a living, and make the American Dream.
So it is best to try the simple things first, like the temperature sender, or thermostat. Then move on to things like flushing out the radiator, if the fluid is green and does not look dirty, then not much dirt in there, but otherwise flush it out might clean out a bit of junk.
Like stated above, it helps to flush the brake fluid every 7 years, to get rid of the fluid that has absorbed a lot of moisture. It will also keep all the other brake parts from rusting from the inside out.
You might also have other problems with the engine that a new radiator will not fix, like cracked heads. Overheating near the exhaust manifold can cause the heads to crack. When my buddy was looking at junkyard parts for a set of used heads for his 87 motorhome with a 460" engine, he had to check about 6 of them before getting a good pair of heads.
His motorhome was not overheating, however we removed the engine to rebuild it when he wanted "More Power" and new pistons installed. The manifold bolts had broken on one side, and needed to be replaced too. This meant drilling them out - but the head had cracks in it so it might have been leaking anti-freeze into the piston area through those cracks.
Fred.
It could be the temperature sending unit too - nothing wrong with the engine or van. Sometimes just some junk in the wiring connection can cause it to read a bit off. Extra resistance causes it to read warmer.
20/20 or 60 minutes did a show about mechanics between Barsto and Las Vegas. What they did was take a full size Jeep Wagoneer (1976 or 78 model) and disconnect the temperature sending unit. Take it to several mechanics and see what they did to the Jeep. They had outfitted the Jeep with a couple of compact cameras to record the action under the hood. This was done many years ago, perhaps in the late 80's or early 90's.
Many mechanics recommended a new radiator, or water pump, or something, only 1 said "I will re-connect this wire, drive on - no charge." One of the "New" radiators only got a fresh coat of spray paint, they never removed it from the Jeep, and bolts marked with paint and covered with dirt, when washed off after picking up the Jeep showed that the paint on the bolt was never broken, so the radiator never removed for cleaning or replacement. The family told "Go to the motel down at the end of this block, rent a room, it is very hot today, and I will call you there when the Jeep is ready"
Some mechanics can be such a rip off. But most are great people trying to seek out a living, and make the American Dream.
So it is best to try the simple things first, like the temperature sender, or thermostat. Then move on to things like flushing out the radiator, if the fluid is green and does not look dirty, then not much dirt in there, but otherwise flush it out might clean out a bit of junk.
Like stated above, it helps to flush the brake fluid every 7 years, to get rid of the fluid that has absorbed a lot of moisture. It will also keep all the other brake parts from rusting from the inside out.
You might also have other problems with the engine that a new radiator will not fix, like cracked heads. Overheating near the exhaust manifold can cause the heads to crack. When my buddy was looking at junkyard parts for a set of used heads for his 87 motorhome with a 460" engine, he had to check about 6 of them before getting a good pair of heads.
His motorhome was not overheating, however we removed the engine to rebuild it when he wanted "More Power" and new pistons installed. The manifold bolts had broken on one side, and needed to be replaced too. This meant drilling them out - but the head had cracks in it so it might have been leaking anti-freeze into the piston area through those cracks.
Fred.
