Overheating

[phattbaztard]

my 87 pathy 4cyl has been getting hot here lately. it only does it when i am on the highway. it was fine until i changed the oil. i noticed that it had a giant STP oil filter and the FRAM that i picked up was half the size (around). could this be my problem, or is it probably something else? "Of course i have already checked the obvious!!!"

[Simon]

What "obvious" have you checked? If it's on the highway, typically, the fan wouldn't be on, or doing much, but moreso, the speed you're travelling at would force air through the rad to do your cooling. Possibly a blockage in the rad? Thermostat not opening?

 

I doubt the oil filter would have anything to do with it. The regular oil filters are pretty small on even the V6 WD21 Pathfinders. Even smaller on the R50's.

[GrimGreg]

Did you overfill the oil? Too much can cause bad stuff, overheating being one of the less bad things it can do.

 

 

Also (kinda got to ask), did you replace the drain plug after you drained the old out?

Edited June 26, 2007 by GrimGreg

[phattbaztard]

obvious being fluid levels, fan not working, leaks, busted hoses, engine oil.

I actually power washed the radiator clean about a week ago, so nothing blocking the flow.

[jj big shoe]

Dunno exactly where it is on a 4 cyl, but could you have knocked the temp sending unit connector loose? Maybe its not actually overheating, just reading wrong somehow.

[phattbaztard]

what does the temp sending unit look like? i noticed that i have an exhaust leak also but i doubt that could be anywhere close to the problem!