Cooling System Problems

[Ethan]

Hello,

I am a Newbie here. At last month, I bought the 1990 VR4 (Japan manufacture), which have 60,000 mileage.

This car is really nice. No big prb at all ( only have minor scratches ) . But, I have a feeling of something wrong with cooling system. Cos, pointer of water temp gauge always stay above the half. And, if I use air con, the pointer pass 3/4.

I think that heat could give prb to engine in long run. So, pls, advice me what should I do or check. I already clean the radiator. Another point to consider is I live in Myanmar. Myanmar is the South East Asia Nation where, the weather is hot.

Bad thing for me is, we don't have much specialist in our country. Especially with Mitsubishi cars. Some mechanic said they didn't have exp and knowledge on VR4. So, I couldn't get good advice from them.

Also, I don't know much about the car. I am a doctor. So,..... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Pls, advice me and help me.

Thz!

 

[toybreaker]

Greetings, and welcome to the board.

I split your post out of the new owners thread so it will receive some attention.

To start the ball rolling, have you changed the thermostat recently?

Might be a good place to start. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[stealthtt24]

Is their coolant being pushed into the overflow? Good piece of mind is to change the radiator cap and make sure you go with an oem mitsubishi one! Start cheap, ie cap and thermostat, and work your way to the more expensive items.

 

[Ethan]

Thz for yr welcome and advice, Toybreaker and stealthtt24.

About Thermostat, I don't know how it look or where it is. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif So, I went to mechanic who use to mx my prb. And, he said thermostat was been removed.

Coolant being pushed into overflow is good or bad sign ? (I don't know a single thing about engine /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif and, I am looking forward to learning from ppls here)
What I notice is after driving for 3day ( A few kilo, about 50-100, I think ),there was no coolant left in overflow bottle and nearly 1 liter of coolant, leave from radiator. And, after driving for a few kilo, I stop and check the car. What I saw is coolant are drain outside from overflow bottle.

So, it is normal for VR4 or something wrong ? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hsugh.gif

Pls, kindly give me the opinions.

 

[FlyingEagle]

Picture of engine bay showing top of radiator and outlet at the head where the top radiator hose comes out to go to the radiator.
Coolant should not be leaking out unless something is not holding pressure properly; ie the pressure cap for the system, and allowing it to overfill the overflow container.
Edit - Does your temperature gauge needle sit at the middle point on the dial? Sit high or into the red?

 

[Ethan]

Thz for the reply.

The pointer sit at "Half" , when the engine warm.
The pointer sit at "Higher than half" , if I use air com.
Still not going into "Red line".

Is it normal or something wrong ?

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/idea.gif