Overheating w/the AC on full blast in stop and go traffic

[VX crazy]

Talked to "Bill" again, at Ron Davis radiators to tell him about my Moab temp experience with the new radiator.

A few VERY IMPORTANT POINTS he made:

• DO NOT USE ANY OF THE COOLANT ADDITIVES!!!!! (LIKE PURPLE ICE, etc) IT WILL EAT AWAY THE METAL OF THE RADIATOR EVENTUALLY CAUSING IT TO LEAK. He's seen numerous customers have this occur and come back to RD claiming they built a faulty radiator.
  
  Bill explained it this way: The additives list a very detailed set of instructions on how to use it properly, but most users don't read the very long detailed info. Coolant that's been in for some time can form a buildup and coat the metal. This coating slows the erosion by the additive, but will still develop leaks. So the instructions on additives actually advise to wait until coolant has been in for a period of time, before using it. After the additive consumes the various minerals/metals in the coolant water, it then erodes the metal of the radiator itself.

• He heard that the RedLine additive doesn't do this, but ALSO DOES NOT reduce the temp.

• If you put a 2nd fan on the front side of the radiator, it actually blocks airflow and probably only about 30 percent of the airflow makes it through the radiator, so it's very unlikely to solve the problem.

Overheating was discussed in pretty good detail in a prior thread:
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...heating&page=3

Seems like more and more folks are having overheating issues, wonder if it's due to age and/or miles accumulating?? ....or maybe global warming??

I want to know too, cuz on my other VX, took til about 110k miles to do this and it had newer ac compressor, my current VX has done it every summer since about 80k miles........hmmmmm

[ojmagg]

My overheating issue was solved by replacing the fan clutch...now I can hear the cooling fan when I hit the gas...

Although the diag was free, my garage wanted $370 for parts and labor ($70part)...I replaced it when I bought the VX back in 2002...it takes about an hr to replace. Did it myself...again. This time I greased the spring, as the old fan clutch spring was a little rusty...

[CrnCnn]

I figured I would ask in this thread because I am having the same problem here in Tucson when it gets above 100 and I have stop and go.

How easy should the fan clutch move by hand? I have a friend that says it should be pretty hard. Mine moves fairly easily. I don't want to spend $100 for nothing.

[VX KAT]

I figured I would ask in this thread because I am having the same problem here in Tucson when it gets above 100 and I have stop and go.

How easy should the fan clutch move by hand? I have a friend that says it should be pretty hard. Mine moves fairly easily. I don't want to spend $100 for nothing.

FYI -Talking to Merlin last week about fan clutch...there's been a redesign and you now HAVE to buy it (~$250....OUCH ) AND a new fan blade (~$100....OUCH again)...