the VX was runnin' hot

[Luna X]

I was dreading the thought that the thermostat was the problem, so I picked an easier battle first...

Changed out the fan clutch with a Hayden unit I ordered from RockAutoParts, and after a few days of driving around in this nasty Az heat, I'm happy to report that the temp guage hasn't gone above normal!..

Next up... I'll be changing a slightly worn out center-link to help take out some of the play in the steering.


I tried a couple searches, but I couldn't find an old thread called "what are you doing to your VX this weekend"
That was a fun thread to read and I figured I would add to it, but I guess it just died out...

[Y33TREKker]

I'd still keep an eye on the temp gauge. Thermostats start to go bad by occasionally 'sticking" in the wrong position until they eventually fail. So while the fan clutch was hopefully the problem, the temp spike you witnessed could still be an indication of a thermostat on it's way out. Not trying to make you paranoid, but in that AZ heat especially, better safe than sorry given the potential consequences.

[Luna X]

I'm already paranoid about it...

It's been close to a week now, and every day that my wife drives it the 1st thing I ask her is.. how was the temp runnin?

... (then I ask her how her day went)

where are my manners?...

[ZubrAZ]

this is the first AZ summer for my VX. and I had a similar issue, however, it did not get fixed completely after I replaced fan clutch (Hayden). it still gets to about 70-80% of the gauge while driving in stop-and-go traffic, but goes to normal after few seconds of constant speed driving. My engine is, probably, new, and it is 3.2 6VD1, so I'm blaming the AZ heat.

[Luna X]

this is the first AZ summer for my VX. and I had a similar issue, however, it did not get fixed completely after I replaced fan clutch (Hayden). it still gets to about 70-80% of the gauge while driving in stop-and-go traffic, but goes to normal after few seconds of constant speed driving. My engine is, probably, new, and it is 3.2 6VD1, so I'm blaming the AZ heat.

a better question is............ why do we live in the effin' desert?

[Luna X]

My wife's boys are big into the drifting scene and they tell me that a popular mod they do to their Rx7's is to swap out their fans for an electric unit from a Taurus.

Supposedly, these fans have better cooling capabilities than a clutch fan like our VX's.


Does anyone think this would be of benefit for us folk living out in the "dry heat" of the southwest?

[nfpgasmask]

a better question is............ why do we live in the effin' desert?

1) It's pretty
2) Lots of reptiles
3) No rust
4) Minimal bugs while you are camping



And so what's is wrong with your center link? Do you really think that would cause steering to be not so tight? I would think it is the power steering gear box getting worn out before the center link. Or are the boots on your center link dried up?

Just curious.

Bart

[Luna X]

1) It's pretty
2) Lots of reptiles
3) No rust
4) Minimal bugs while you are camping



And so what's is wrong with your center link? Do you really think that would cause steering to be not so tight? I would think it is the power steering gear box getting worn out before the center link. Or are the boots on your center link dried up?

Just curious.

Bart

yeah, the desert does have all those good things goin' for it.
I loved all that when I moved here back in '96, but it seems the past fews years I'm getting less and less tolerant to the heat... Guess I'm just gettin' old and cranky!

And, yes, the center link does have dried up/split boots on it, so I'll change that out first then adjust box if needed.

[VX KAT]

1) It's pretty
2) Lots of reptiles
3) No rust
4) Minimal bugs while you are camping

x2!! (Except I live up at almost 5000 feet where I get all that plus 15-20 degrees cooler)
.....Last few nights we've been playin' with several toads in the back yard (Bufo woodhousii, a widespread toad around here, but that gets as far as Montana and North Dakota), we catch hoppers and feed the toad...way cool to watch! Every year, one of our dogs grabs them and within 2 seconds (really!) spits him out and starts foaming at the mouth from the toxin the toad excretes thru his skin as a defense mechanism. We've finally trained her not to grab them

[nfpgasmask]

Yeah, see, that's why I live up here. When the wife and I were looking for a place to move out West, we visited Pheonix, Sedona and Flagstaff. Phoenix was just WAY TOO HOT for me. Sedona was awesome and so was Flagstaff, but at the time the job market in those spots didn't help me. Reno is desert but we still get cooler weather up here much of the year, so I really like it.

Kat, you guys also have those awesome Canyon Tree Frogs up a little from you. They are super cool too.

Bart

[p_justin13]

If all else fails, lol I was having issues when sitting in traffic on Lake Shore Drive and general stand still traffic in the city. Two things helped. 1. If you have a Mass air flow I made a custom box to seal off to the incomming air down in the front right side where the intake was. The Mass Air intake I have was sucking super hot air from around the engine and this made a huge difference. 2. Would still run hot if sitting for along time with the ac on added royal purple antifreeze additive and made another huge difference. Running cool as a cucumber now.

[circmand]

But did have issues withe the Healey. I started using water wetter and have no more issues with over heating.

[VX KAT]

added royal purple antifreeze additive and made another huge difference. Running cool as a cucumber now.

I added that last year right before summer. Did you add the amount they advised or any extra? (and yes, I extracted same volume of fluid as I added).

But yesterday, driving slowly around a parking lot in circles trying to figure out what the short clanking sound is when I'm almost at full lock right, with full A/C blowing...I noticed I was heating up (and it was about 96 degrees) DOH!
Gauge got up to about 1/8 from top.
Wondered if I added a bit more RP antifreeze additive, if it would help....under the logic of "more is better"...
Temp dropped as soon as I drove on normally.
Thoughts?

p.s. I think one of my Kilby plates may be hitting/rubbing sumpin' at almost full lock right.

[Luna X]

since we have more ridiculously hot days than not, looks like some form of antifreeze additive may be a good form of insurance.

[p_justin13]

Ha ha I'll warn you it runs like 15 bucks for a liter bottle though only one needed. It's helped abunch.