Overheated on Maiden voyage.. uh

[Supra5MGTE]

Took my '85 out for the first real spin tonight with a tag, insurance and all... ran it for about 1hr total. but toward the end I noticed it started running very hot. It has a brand-new Tstat in it and has coolant up to level. Any ideas guys? the Mechanical fan doesn't seem to be making much noise... could it be the fan clutch is going bad? most of the driving was 30mph-50mph. I like the ford SHO fan. I think I might do that mod this '85, I've got it on my 4runner it's GREAT!

[turbogoo1]

Could still have air in the coolent. Or the fan clutch. I've heard good things about upgading to the 7m fan and clutch.

[Supra5MGTE]

if I upgrade it's FORD SHO 2 speed fan time with a Flexalite auto controller. Done it on a Tacoma, my 4runner, and our 90 Turbo... all turned out awsome. I think it's the clutch.... even with the engine running hot as nuts it wasn't pushing air. even when you first start it up... it's supposed to make that wooshing sound.... mine is silent. and usually when the engine gets hot the fan starts pushing more air... or trying to... getting noisy with rushing air. it didn't. so Now that I think about it and type... all at the same time, leads me to believe it's the fan clutch is bad.

[turbogoo1]

Cool...or not..lol Id replace that first. Or if you have the sho stuff allready...go for it.

[Supra5MGTE]

I'd like to do the SHO fan set up, but that's a trip to the junk yard, $30 for the fan, then I gotta get the flexalite controller, that's $85. I called napa they have a fan clutch for $38 in stock. So I think I'm going that route.

[SilverMk2]

I tried the Taurus fan on my car along time ago and it doesn't fit the Mk2 very well, its too thick. If you don't have AC it might work, however on mine the fan motor ended up either an 1/8" away from the AC or water pump pulley. Make sure you upgrade the alternator if you go electric fan. E-fans require about 30A before they even compare to the mechanical fans

[Tire Shredder]

Aaron, how big of an alternator would you suggest?

[SilverMk2]

About the only choice for the MkII is the MkIII turbo auto or Camry alternator.

[BillyM]

Filling the coolant from the top rear heater hose??

...when was it overheating, idle or 50mph. If it overheats at speed and cools down at idle, you're looking at a radiator. If it overheats at idle and stays cool at speed, you're looking at a fan/clutch.

--billyM

[RTLarson]

or your radiator could be plugged, keeping the fan clutch from spinning, like what happend to myine. My fan never used to spin. Bought a new fan clutch, no difference. Finally got a new radiator, now it spins almost all the time. Don't know how the car survived so long with out it.

[Supra5MGTE]

it only overheats after about 20 minutes of driving. if you let it idle, it cools down, if you drive it... heats up. radiator looks like hell. The new fan clutch didn't make much of a difference with the overheating issue.

[Bad82]

seems like your not getting enough flow...if not the radiator then water pump maybe?

[BillyM]

You'd be good to listen directly to me in this case. I've seen it three times on three differnt supras. IT IS ALWAYS A CLOGGED RADIATOR WITH THOSE SYMPTOMS. Replace your radiator ASAP! (Put it off and you will be looking at a pricey little headgasket replacement.) ...but don't pay more than $150 for it, check around make a few calls. Someone should have one local or be able to get one quick-like.

Tell ya what, you replace the radiator, and it DOESNT fix your problem, I'll send you $50, no shit...

--BillyM