SR20DET Overheating Woes

[ultimateirving]

Originally Posted by hdhype

What I have: S13 chasis w/ s13 SR20DET, Aluminum Radiator, Dual Electric Fans, Colder Thermostat (I don't remember open temp); New Head gasket, new water pump. 40% coolant & 60% Water (Rad, fans, thermostat, head gasket, and pump installed < 50 miles ago, also head was hot tanked and decked)

Problem: After about 15-20 minutes of driving (Seems to happen when I go at a constant speed, and not stop&go), engine heat starts to rise while both e fans are on. I can usually offset this for another 10-15 minutes if I turn on the heat in the cabin full blast. (I keep my rpm between 2000-3000)

What I have done: I've tried bleeding the coolant, raising the front end and massaging the top hose, along with turning the outlet bolt. I've ran the engine with the rad cap off, and I don't see any bubbles, but the coolant level rises a little bit, I'm guessing from the pressure from the water pump. I don't notice any white smoke coming from the exhast.

Edit: I've also searched for another thread with possibly the same symptoms and came accross one with some guy who started posting a bunch of pictures of cars he worked on, and that SR20's arn't ment to cruise 3500+ RPM or they over heat... That thread turned to shit really quick.

hey man i remember that thread, and you really should not have overheating issues with what you have stated.
Two things can be done to help, One ditch the Efans lots of people complain with issues on overheating and they are not the best set up.
Second get a fan shroud, That is the number one thing I think that will help you to keep your temps down.

Most of the other things you tried is the basic troubleshooting..

[Turb0wned]

I had issues with electric fans as well. Went back to stock fan and shroud, problem gone. Try driving your car without the bumper and see if it's the FMIC not allowing enough air to come throw. I also had that problem.

If that fails.... Take out the thermostat and test drive it like that.