Re: 4KCSQ running hot?

[James Marriott <marriott@lesbois.com>]

Haudi,

Michael D. Nelson wrote:
> 
> My 86 4KCSQ is beginning to run hotter than I'd like it to...for example, oil
> temp. at 130+ degrees Celcius crusing at 75 mph on a fairly cool day (around
> 80F)...also, the water temp was running pretty hot in town today, even though
> it was around 70...what I mean by "hot" is this on the guage:
> 
>             H
> 
>             --
> 
>             --
>  ----->
>             --
> 
> 
>             --
> 
>             --
> 
>             --
> 
>             C

This is about the point where the fan switches on our '87 4kq and '86
4ks (1.8) activate. If you are parked and turn on the AC, does the
coolant temp _guage_ indication drop? Both do here. The fan runs more
often with the AC going, and seems to keep the indicated temperature
down. I'm not sure what the temp of the _coolant_ is doing, but the
guage goes down.

> I'm going to switch to 20W50 oil, and the radiator will be flushed/checked next
> week...any suggestions/ideas?

20-50 is a little thick for NE, IMO. I've started using 10-40 here in ID
(max temp of ~100 dF), but always used 10-30 in NH (just moved after
five years). BTW, all oil references are for Amsoil 100% synth.

I don't think you have a cooling problem. I've run my car for hours at
85 MPH and indicated oil temp of ~145 C with no (yet apparent) adverse
effects. How long have you had the car? Is its behavior different from
last year?

hth,
James