Hi I am new to this forum but have had 2 different daytona's in the last 4 years. First one was the Shelby 89 2.2 intercooled turbo- current is a 90 Daytona ES with the 3 liter.
I bought this car cheap from a guy who said he had done the head gasket but i cant help but wonder if thats my problem.
The car had hit a deer on 2 different occasions befor I bought it. It does not appear to have any rad leaks. The engine temp gauge gets right up near the hot level before the cooling fan kicks in. Plus I am getting cold air intermittantly from the heater when it is on. I assume that there is air locked in the system, I have tried a few times to fill it up thinking that there was some kind of bubble internally and that it would go away.
but it is not.So, does it sound like a head gasket, how tough are they to change. Oh yah the temp gauge does go up and down but it seems to go down once the fan kicks in which is not the typical symptom for head gasket,is it?
I am looking for some ideas on this; was thinking flush the rad or go to the wreckors and find another rad? What do you think?
John from Calgary ab

 

Try parking face up on a steep hill,let it cool down then check/fill the rad.
Are you looseing coolant,any white smoke,cross contamination coolant-oil?

 

Thanks, that a tip I have never heard of (parking on a steep hill) that is supposed to clear trapped air in the system- I guess. No white smoke,the oil does appear to be milky either. I am going to try your trick,and run it without a thermostat for a day or so and see what happens. I will probably go looking for a rad at the wreckers.

 

I would keep the stat in,without it may not allow the coolant in the rad to cool down due to hi coolant flow.

 

I have been playin around with the engine flush and thermostat both in and out. It was better for a few days after the flush, then I played around with the thermostat. Heres my latest observations. The coolant in the fill tank/overflow tank is boiling and boiling over somewhat. I have never seen that before it must be a clue. I think that the tank boiling like that must be cause my air blocks in the system which results in overheating. What do you think. Thanks John