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2003 kia sedona. Has overheating issue. I am trying to take radiator out to see if it is clogged. This is a mess and not sure if the half day of vacation is worth it. When running the radiator hoses are not hot! I installed a new thermostat last night since there was no heat inside, and the engine gets hot the air is cold inside and the hoses to and from the radiator are not warm let alone hot. I am this far on the radiator removal figuring/hoping is was clogged and would like to at least get it out and flush it. This all started when the rear coolant lines let go. I current have a loop in the, advised by the local dealership but still have a heating problem.

Submitted: 59 days and 3 hours ago.

Category: Car

Value: $13

Status: CLOSED

Year: 2003
Make: Kia
Model: sedona
Engine: 3.5

Already Tried:
Looped the rear coolant lines since rear heat not needed.

Changed theromstat since no heat inside van.

Trying to take radiator off to check if clogged. Engine gets HOT, but hoses are not more than ambient temperature.

A/C lines attached to radiator making VERY difficult to remove. 145K miles figured it wouldn't hurt since i was having cooling issues to get it boiled if it was clogged.

Hoping it isn't the water pump. Nothing on the ground if the weep hole would drop enough to notice.

Posted by Tim West 59 days and 3 hours ago.

Answer

Thanks for visiting Ja.com
There is an easier way to check the radiator for clogs. If you have access to an infared thermostat gun, check the temperatures of the radiator. If there is a hot spot on the radiator (extremely higher than other points on the radiator) then you probably have found the clog. I wouldn't recommend removing the radiator to flush it for the simple fact that you would only be flushing the radiator and not the entire system. You could take it to a shop to have the system flushed, it would probably save a big headache and mess.

59 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

I have no access to thermo imaging equiqment. I am unemployeed and this is my only means of transportation. I really don't have the cash to get is flushed that is why i am trying to do it. Does is sound like a blocked radiator? Or the misserable water pump?

Posted by Tim West 59 days and 2 hours ago.

Answer

It sounds like there is no pressure inside the cooling system, this would indicate a water pump.
If coolant was getting to the radiator, the hoses or radiator should be hot. If a radiator is clogged coolant would still flow at least to the clog in the radiator and stop. This would cause the hot spot.
Since the hoses are cold, it seems there is no cooant flow. I don't think cooling system pressure is adequate. The pump would be the most likely problem.

59 days and 2 hours ago.

Reply

so would it be worth 65 dollars for a system flush before changing the water pump? I am going to put everything back on the radiator and double check the coolant lines. If not I am looking at a water pump and timing belt on the korean special. then i have to figure out the belt tension. Not to mention the 8 hours a mechanic gets to fix it.

Accepted Answer

The shops I have worked for charge 100$ for a cooling system flush. So the price is good. Like I said there could be an obstruction elsewhere than the radiator so flushing the cooling system should be automatic. The flush will also check for and possible leaks and will clean the fins of the water pump. I would definitely flush the system.

Accepts:
Expert:	Tim West
Pos. Feedback:	99.3 %
Answered:	9/24/2009

ASE Certified Technician

ASE Certified Service Manager for Bridgstone/ Firestone

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I have no access to thermo imaging equiqment. I am unemployeed and this is my only means of transportation. I really don't have the cash to get is flushed that is why i am trying to do it. Does is sound like a blocked radiator? Or the misserable water pump?

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I have no access to thermo imaging equiqment. I am unemployeed and this is my only means of transportation. I really don't have the cash to get is flushed that is why i am trying to do it. Does is sound like a blocked radiator? Or the misserable water pump?

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