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1997 Sidekick Sport overheating issues, many new cooling parts

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Offline OneSHOT1337

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1997 Sidekick Sport overheating issues, many new cooling parts
« on: February 18, 2010, 02:52:15 PM »
Hi, I recently acquired a 1997 Sidekick Sport with the 1.8 liter engine.  It has 170,000 miles on the car and it seems to only overheat during long idle.

I've installed a new temperature gauge, flushed the system, replaced thermostat, radiator cap, converted the clutch fan to electric, and pulled the water pump to inspect.  The water pump looked like it had been replaced before and the fins of the impeller were all intact.  I am not losing any coolant and there is not mixing of oil/coolant in either the oil or coolant.  The radiator is not blocked.

I still get overheating after a long period of idle.  The temp rises to 220 degrees before I shut off the car.  If I rev the motor to 2000+rpm, the car cools down again to 190 degrees or lower.  This must mean the pump is indeed good since more coolant is circulated but what can cause the overheating only at idle? Temps are around 150 and lower while driving.

I am beginning to think the radiator might be at fault but the fins look good.  Top radiator hose is hot but lower hose is cool.  Same thing with touching the front of the radiator, top is hot, bottom is significantly cooler.

Any suggestions on what to look for next?
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Offline Drone637

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Re: 1997 Sidekick Sport overheating issues, many new cooling parts
« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2010, 03:49:32 PM »
You might want to check the fan clutch.
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Bobthebiker

Re: 1997 Sidekick Sport overheating issues, many new cooling parts
« Reply #2 on: February 18, 2010, 04:24:11 PM »
how long is a long idle?     I had a kia sportage that would do that when it was low on oil for some weird reason.  oddly, it never blew up.   

its entirely possible that you have a blocked radiator, causing insufficient coolant flow at idle.
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Online fordem

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Re: 1997 Sidekick Sport overheating issues, many new cooling parts
« Reply #3 on: February 18, 2010, 05:35:45 PM »
Is that electric fan coming on when it's idleing?  Does the fan move enough air to cool the engine?
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Offline wildgoody

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Re: 1997 Sidekick Sport overheating issues, many new cooling parts
« Reply #4 on: February 18, 2010, 08:04:28 PM »
I had a 16" electric fan on the turbo Zuki, it wasn't up
to the task of keeping the engine cool, even at speed,
and that fan was supposed to work for a V8 engine.

When the engine is "hot" is the bottom of the radiator
still cool or is it hot also? if it's cool, you have a circulation
problem, if it's hot you have a blocked radiator or the fan
isn't working or not getting the air thru the radiator

Wild
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Online fordem

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Re: 1997 Sidekick Sport overheating issues, many new cooling parts
« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2010, 05:13:42 AM »
Quote from: wildgoody on February 18, 2010, 08:04:28 PM
I had a 16" electric fan on the turbo Zuki, it wasn't up
to the task of keeping the engine cool, even at speed,
and that fan was supposed to work for a V8 engine.

I'd say your problem was not the fan, but the size/effiency of the radiator - with the vehicle in motion under "normal" driving conditions - the forward motion of the vehicle should provide sufficient airflow.

Almost all of the vehicles I have had over the years (except my GV) have had electric fans, and I know from experience that I can run with a failed fan switch in all but the heaviest of traffic without the engine temps climbing above normal.
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Offline OneSHOT1337

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Re: 1997 Sidekick Sport overheating issues, many new cooling parts
« Reply #6 on: February 19, 2010, 11:22:17 AM »
I went ahead and replaced the water pump with a new unit.  The temps are staying cooler and will not rise above 220 degrees after letting it idle for over 10 minutes.  I am hoping this is the end of the issues.  Thanks

One thing I noticed is when bringing my idle to 1000rpm, the car runs significantly cooler...should this be a sign of poor circulation from the radiator?  My idle speed is kinda low, around 300-500 rpm at idle, I was thinking of raising that so a slightly higher level.  Anyone know how to adjust the idle speed?
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Offline jeff1997

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Re: 1997 Sidekick Sport overheating issues, many new cooling parts
« Reply #7 on: February 19, 2010, 11:32:28 AM »
I went through 6 water pumps on my 97 1.8L. Every one of them spun the impeller on the drive shaft. It looked fine but would spin under a load. Mine did the same thing, it would cool down by revving it. I guess the pump would be OK at a higher speed but at idle it would not pump water. I finally drilled and tapped the impeller for a set screw that held it in place.
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Bobthebiker

Re: 1997 Sidekick Sport overheating issues, many new cooling parts
« Reply #8 on: February 19, 2010, 03:47:03 PM »
It sounds like a good shear pin would be a very suitable fix as well if you were so inclined.
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Offline wildgoody

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Re: 1997 Sidekick Sport overheating issues, many new cooling parts
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2010, 07:25:49 PM »
Quote from: fordem on February 19, 2010, 05:13:42 AM
Quote from: wildgoody on February 18, 2010, 08:04:28 PM
I had a 16" electric fan on the turbo Zuki, it wasn't up
to the task of keeping the engine cool, even at speed,
and that fan was supposed to work for a V8 engine.

I'd say your problem was not the fan, but the size/effiency of the radiator - with the vehicle in motion under "normal" driving conditions - the forward motion of the vehicle should provide sufficient airflow.

Almost all of the vehicles I have had over the years (except my GV) have had electric fans, and I know from experience that I can run with a failed fan switch in all but the heaviest of traffic without the engine temps climbing above normal.

Naw, it was the intercooler, it just takes lots of power in a fan to
pull the air through both units. The factory fan worked perfectly
and I had no trouble after I put it back on

Wild
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Offline OneSHOT1337

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Re: 1997 Sidekick Sport overheating issues, many new cooling parts
« Reply #10 on: February 20, 2010, 07:52:31 PM »
Quote from: jeff1997 on February 19, 2010, 11:32:28 AM
I went through 6 water pumps on my 97 1.8L. Every one of them spun the impeller on the drive shaft. It looked fine but would spin under a load. Mine did the same thing, it would cool down by revving it. I guess the pump would be OK at a higher speed but at idle it would not pump water. I finally drilled and tapped the impeller for a set screw that held it in place.

Not a a bad idea at all!  So far this car has been keeping cool with the new water pump but if I get another failure, I can definitely drill and press a pin into it.

One other thing that I have noticed is I am getting a gargling sound from behind the dash.  Probably originating from the heater core.  It only makes the sound when the engine is cold and literally sounds like a waterfall behind the dash.
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Offline wildgoody

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Re: 1997 Sidekick Sport overheating issues, many new cooling parts
« Reply #11 on: February 20, 2010, 07:54:30 PM »
Check your coolant level, it's probably low

Wild
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Offline OneSHOT1337

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Re: 1997 Sidekick Sport overheating issues, many new cooling parts
« Reply #12 on: February 20, 2010, 08:30:48 PM »
I checked it before I started it up, maybe air?  Ill check again tomorrow morning.
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Bobthebiker

Re: 1997 Sidekick Sport overheating issues, many new cooling parts
« Reply #13 on: February 21, 2010, 07:19:41 AM »
Quote from: OneSHOT1337 on February 20, 2010, 07:52:31 PM

One other thing that I have noticed is I am getting a gargling sound from behind the dash.  Probably originating from the heater core.  It only makes the sound when the engine is cold and literally sounds like a waterfall behind the dash.
This would be your heater core alright.  odds are you have an air pocket in it, which contributes to the overheating issue.   get it bled proper.
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Offline OneSHOT1337

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Re: 1997 Sidekick Sport overheating issues, many new cooling parts
« Reply #14 on: February 21, 2010, 01:00:52 PM »
Any suggestions on the best way to bleed? I dont think this motor has a bleed screw.  I was thinking of jacking the front of the car up so all the air would rise to the radiator neck.
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