Blocked Radiator??

[blue93cb]

Trying to diagnose a overheating problem and wanted to know how can you tell if the radiator is blocked. I noticed that my upper radiator hose is partially concaved at the s-bend. I have checked all the basics..fan,cap,thermostat,relay,sensors,no leaking from waterpump.

[Djmoua]

Are you using 50/50 mix of coolant?

[blue93cb]

Yes I am using 50/50 mixture.

[TypeG]

grab the hoses while it runs. normally the top hose gets hot pretty fast and the bottom hose is slower to warm up. if they stay cold, then you may have a rad problem. just don't let the motor run hot while you're doing this. later.

[NAiL05]

Yea thats one method. The other method is using a heat gun and making sure the temps across are consistant. If you see an abnormal hot spot there is your clog. Another way is to let the engine warm up a bit and touch the front of the radiator if you have room with your hand. It should be decently consistant across the board. If it isnt you might have foound your clog (not recommended for beginners)

[blue93cb]

Thanks fellas. Ok ironically I just came in from checking a couple of things with the car. I turned on the heater and get a full blast of heat. I took the radiator cap off and did not see ANY coolant movement. The temp gauge rose up about 3/4 up and then I shut it down. I kept the radiator cap off and nothing, no flowing at all. Also relating to the radiator hoses, I am always able to grab both hoses, upper and lower. I even when the temp gauge was 3/4 up I was still able to grab both hoses. And as mentioned earlier, the top hose where it goes into the engine is collapsed.

[TypeG]

^ that's probably your problem.

this made me think of a time when a friend of mine put a new rad in her prelude and it was overheating. after looking around for a while with a flashlight, we noticed the bottom rad hose was pinched between the crossmember and lower hose inlet. later.

[blue93cb]

oddly enough that top hose is from the h22 engine, I used it because it was longer. I think tomorrow I will drain the radiator and change the top hose and also I noticed that the lower hose is running thru the hose clamp on the tranny. I will take it out to see. Also check the radiator to see if it is clogged by using a garden hose. I am sooooooo close I can smell it. The next meet I will be there with the ride.

[evil_demon_01]

Also you say there is no coolant movement - I've seen waterpumps before where they are so corroded that there are no fins left on them, thus not cycling the coolant around, which can cause the hoses to stay warm, and the engine is overheating
Do you know when the waterpump was last changed?

[blue93cb]

this is a JDM H22 so I am not sure when, although I did check the timing belt and the belt looks brand new.