Simple question, maybe...

Hi, I have an 95' Escort LX 1.9l and yes it has a heat prob. The car rides fine and temperature gauge stays at 1/4 the way (Near C). But after driving it for like 20 miles it goes up 3/4 the way (Near H). Everything seems to be working (cooling fan, water pump, etc.) but after driving for a while, I open the hood and put my hand on the radiator core... It's not even warm. Only the core of the radiator isn't warm but the rest of it is hot. Is that right??? Or perhaps is there a clog?? Thanks for looking

do you have enough coolant? then I'd flush, refill, and if that doesn't work, start lookin for a clog.

I know I was running the car with plenty of coolant. But today, I got under the car and looked at the bottom of the radiator and noticed it has a small leak. Also I slightly pushed the fins on the core with my finger and they bent right in with no resistance...

Originally posted by bd2988
Also I slightly pushed the fins on the core with my finger and they bent right in with no resistance...

I wouldn't reccomend doing that! Those fins are very thin aluminum, that's what helps to cool you radiator. Too many of those fins pushed in (smashed) will dimminish you rad's cooling capacity. Don't do that! :grinno: :nono:

Wayne

they're super thin, to dissipate heat quickly, they will bend, but DO NOT BEND THEM. Flush your system, make sure theres no clogs.

Well I only did that because before, I had an 86' Mustang with a radiator that went bad... It rotted out and the fins would crumble when you ran your finger by them. Well what good is a flush going to do when its leaking? If the radiator is bad then whats the point of flushing it... why not just take it out and have it replaced or recored????

...make sure theres no clogs.

fix your radiator, but do as above for the obvious reason...you're gonna have to drain your system anyways.