I drove my 89 Montero to work for the 1st time Friday & I noticed the temp got above normal while in traffic but then would go back down when moving. Yesterday I drove it all day then on the way home I took a backroad & it started going above normal again then the engine started pinging & died on a hill. I let it cool for about 45 minutes, added water & drove about 2 miles before it started pinging again so I pulled over again. This time when I added water it poured out the bottom of the radiator so I got a tow home. I obviously need a new radiator & from what I read (while waiting for it to cool) it seems like I probably need a new fan clutch, so where would you guys suggest getting the new hardware? Also, should I have any tests ran since this Monty is new to me & the PO had the radiator replaced less than 3yrs ago?

Thanks in advance!

A compression test to help check there is no head issues. Get the known stuff fixed and then start with the unknown. crank it up and let it sit running to see if the other sounds and problems come up. hopefully it is just the radiator and the fan you said and nothing else.

I'd see if you can find a good set of tanks from an oem radiator, as they are vastly superior, and get it recored with a 3row core.

I'd also retorque the cylinder heads to try to save the head gaskets, as when the head gets hot, it bows, and it will stretch the head bolts and lose the gasket seal.

Overheating while stopped, and cooling down while moving are indicative of a fan / fan clutch problem.

Better be careful with that 2.6.... If you overheat it much, it will crack the head if you have not done that already.

Good info!

Fasteddy- Know where I can get my hands on oem tanks locally?

Thanks for the replies!!!

A compression test won't tell you much. Do a leak down test if you think there is a problem with a warped head. At least with a leak down test you know if it's the head gasket, valves, or piston rings giving you problems.

i have a new fan clutch $45.00 mailed

Make sure you flush whole system While replacing radiator AND Fanclutch. Also Use antifreeze- For some reason a lot of people think they don't need antifreeze here in the south- ?- <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

Last summer I bought antifreeze at Wally World & the guy running the register said he thought antifreeze was only for winter. Lmao! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

WHich is why he was running the register at Wildmart - not enough brains for a real job...

Down here, I use a gallon of antifreeze to two gallons of water plus 1tsp of Dawn as a water wetter. Enough a/f for the temps we get here, more water for more heat capacity, and the Dawn is a really good surface wetter to maximize heat transfer.

Sorry, no leads on a set of oem tanks. Check the Pullapart inventory. Seem to remember one in the east lot.