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Running hotter

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tban52

tban52

Freshman Member
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Hi all,
I finally got my 4a out on the road after a long New Hampshire winter. It ran pretty good for it's initial cruise, but what I noticed was it was running hotter than it usually does. Not overheating, but about two thirds on the temp gauge, where it usually shows about halfway. I gave the radiator and block a good flushing, hosed the outside of the radiator, and even installed a new thermostat. No change. The weather here right now is still cool, and my fear is that once it warms up I will have an overheating problem.
Can anyone out there tell me what may have changed during winter storage, or what I should be looking at.
Thanks, Terry
 
Take a hard look at the gauge.. Moisture over the winter could invade the gauge or the wire connectors TO the gauge causing a false reading. If you have the original style voltage stabilizer, moisture can sometimes cause a high output (more than 10v.)which will make the gauge read high. Find someone in your area that might have a laser temp gauge (best way to go) or a glass one that reads in the 150-250 degree range. If you have to go with the glass one be sure to remove the radiator cap at COLD, drive it until you get the high reading before inserting the glass gauge in the coolant. Those 50 year old gauges love to lie to you!!!!
FRank
 
Are you sure the voltage stabilizer is working? When they fail, they usually fail closed, which makes both temp and fuel read high.

Lots of potential reasons for overheating, but as Frank says, first be sure it's actually overheating.
 
Thanks,
After testing the voltage stabilizer, it appears that it is the culprit. The battery voltage is about 12.6 volts, and the stabilizer is only dropping it to 11.99 volts. This would account for the higher reading on the temp gauge. I can't really tell from the fuel gauge because the tank is full. I ordered a new electronic stabilizer today. I will let you know how this works out.
Thanks again, Terry
 
THe original type VS works a lot like a turn signal flasher; it outputs either full battery voltage or nothing. Takes a few seconds to start flashing, but then it blinks on and off about once a second.

The electronic kind of course output a constant 10v; but the original mechanical ones don't.
 
.... and you are sure that you haven't got an air lock ?
Open heater valve and start car with cap off, car parked slightly nose up should clear itself
 
I'm with Tom, try that first. Sometimes the second time you drive it it will work itself out.
 
I received a replacement voltage stabilizer and installed it Saturday. My temp guage went from 2/3 to about 1/3, my fuel guage went from 3/4 to 1/4! I would have run out of gas....It seems my overheating wasn't overheating after all.
Thanks to everyone here for the good advice.
 
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