93 - rough starting & overheating

[Rupesy]

I have a 93 with 205k and has been a good van for us. I am starting to have more major issues as time goes on. I have two problems I need help with.

1. overheating - I think I know why it may be overheating, but would like some feedback. A while back I broke the fitting for the heater hose that goes into the back of the manifold. To get it out I had to drill it and then retap. I know I was not able to recover al of the shavings, but after everthing was back together I didn't have any issues. I recently changed all of the valve seals to eliminate the blue smoke at start. I had to remove the heater connector again and it broke upon removal. This time a chunk or two fell in and I couldn't retreive them - uggg!!! After getting everything put back together It began to overheat. I changed to a low temp thermostat to see if it would help. I also changed the temp sensor just in case it was failing. It runs with the temp indicator just in the red. Its been like this for several months without any problems driving so I started to think maybe the temp sensor is still not correct. When I start the car, the temp gage goes from one side to the other very quickly which makes me think there may be a calibration issue.

Anyway, does anyone have a suggestion of where to start diagnosing this problem? Is there a way to backflush the system to remove the ships, etc? Is there an easy way to verify engine temp?

2. Rough starting - after I replaced the valve seals, I noticed that the car began starting really rough for about 5 seconds and then after that it runs great. I just hit the pedal a few times and rev it up after its started and the roughness disappears. I did reconnect some vaccum hoses I found loose. Its not that big a deal, but I hate when I can't figure something out. Where do I start?

Sorry so long - Hope you can help.

Thanks

[Kings-x59]

The rough start may be an indication of a coming fuel pressure problem. Try turning the key to the "on" position and wait several seconds before starting. If the rough start improves after doing this, the fuel system either isn't maintaining pressure, or isn't coming up to pressure quickly enough.
I have this situation with my '89, it needs a new fuel pump pretty soon. I find that if I allow a little more time for the fuel pump to bring the system up to pressure before starting, the sputter on start up is not there.

Since there are metal shavings in your cooling system, I'm thinking the water pump is damaged, or the radiator is clogged.

[Rupesy]

Bingo on the hard starting. I went to the van this morning, turned the key and waited, and then started it. It fired right up without any roughness. I put in a new fuel pump a few years ago and I think I replaced the filter as well. Not a fun job. I guess I will set aside some time in the future for this. Any way, thanks for the help.

On the overheating, I think I will pull the water pump and check it first.

[Kings-x59]

While you are at it, you might try flushing the radiator with a hose ( and a big bucket, we don't want any new stains on the driveway, or toxic chemicals in the enviiroooment ) to make sure it's flowing ok.