I posted a question about my radiator last week - let me back up a bit here:

I just inherited this car, has 180k miles on it (well taken care of). I took it up and down the road, it rocks! Anyhow, the previous owner took it in, because its overheating. They said it needs a new radiator and the fan isn't working - so i'm assuming a new fan motor?...

My question is, how do you know when you need a new radiator? I don't think that its leaking.. But, the previous owner said the shop told her that nothing at all is cooling the engine, which is why it overheats after about 20 mins of driving.

I've never done much wrenching, but am willing to give all this a try. Someone suggested radiator.com - I found one for around $100 through them.. that is, if i actually need one... Let me know what ya'll think.
Thanks!

 

well first check the upper radiator hose to see if it feels firm after driving. That means coolant is circulating through the radiator and thermostat. If its is mushy, change the thermostat first.

 

Let me clarify this.. is this the hose going from the overflow to the radiator?
If so, it was firm after driving.. If not, i'm not sure which one it is.
If that is the right hose.. where is the thermostat - and are those pretty cheap to replace?

Thanks!

 

Well, i never heard back from anyone on my response about the radiator hose... But, a very nice person emailed me the below - which I have some questions about - replied, but didn't hear back - maybe someone on this forum could help:

(My question is below - but i figured posting this would help someone else out)....
-----------
For overheating problem, start by checking to see if your cooling fan comes on after the car is warmed up completely - it should come on way before it overheats. If it is not coming on, it doesn't mean the fan is bad -more than likely it isn't. First step in checking the fan is to check the cooling fan sensor, that turns the fan on, to see if it is o.k. - it is located on the back of the engine block next to the oil filter - it has 2 wires going to it with a black rubber "boot" around them - pull the connector off and with the ignition switch "on", touch the 2 wires together and see if the fan comes on - if it does, then the sensor is bad and needs replaced.

If it still doesn't come on, it may be the fan relay which is located right next to and behind the passenger side headlight on the inner fender panel. Disconnect plug at fan and run battery power directly to the connector on the fan side. If fan comes on, relay needs replaced. If not, fan needs replaced.

If your fan is coming on when the engine is warmed up, the first thing to do is replace the thermostat - fairly simple and not expensive (thermostat less than $10) - it is located on the passenger side of the engine at the rear - just follow the bottom hose coming out of the radiator to where it connects to the engine - this is the thermostat housing. Set the heater control on the dash to maximum heat. Drain down the coolant from the radiator and remove the 2 bolts connecting the water inlet housing from the thermostat housing, pull out the old thermostat and install new one. Reconnect everything and fill the plastic overflow bottle with coolant. Open the bleed valve, which is located on the top of the water outlet where the top radiator hose connects to the engine, and slowly fill with coolant thru the radiator until coolant runs out of bleed valve in steady stream without bubbles. Close bleed valve and continue filling radiator up to bottom of filler neck. Leave radiator cap off and start engine and let it warm up to operating temperature, top off radiator with coolant and replace cap. It is a good idea to install a new cap, also very inexpensive. If all of this fails, you may have a clogged radiator. If radiator isn't leaking, try everything else first.
----------------
Cooling fan sensor: I found it. But, i can't figure out how it comes off. I see the two wires going in, and the big boot that connects them.. the wires i followed down and they merge right into a housing with other wires it appears.. I pulled a bit on the rubber boot, and it seems to be pretty snug.. I wasn't quite sure where to disconnect the wires from.

Any ideas???