1986 Mustang lx Question.?

Question

I have 86 mustang lx,My question: Is it possible a catalytic converter

will make your radiator run hot if it's stopped up?

Answer 1

No, a clogged cat will cause your engine to run sluggish or stall.  The heat will show up in your floor board.  Your engine will run hot if you have a bad thermostat, bad radiator, bad fan motor, bad temperature sensor.

Answer 2

Well, if you think about it, it is possible cause if your cat. converter is plugged, where is the heat from the exhaust going to go? It can't flow through like it would normally would.All the heat has to go somewhere, and where does it go?  To your engine and then to your radiator. They say in the owner's manual not to leave the enging idle for too long, cause the temperatures in your cat. converter can reach very high levels. So I would say yes, your cat. converter could be causing your radiator to run hot. Naturally, there could be other factors as well, but if all other parts are working as they should, then that just leaves the converter, itself. Try taking off the converter itself, and see if this helps. If so, then you'll need to buy a new converter, or you can also just insert a piece of exhaust pipe beteween the spot where you took out the converter, so it is all hooked back up. I've done this before, and it is cheaper than buying a new converter, actually. If removing the converter doesn't help your radiator, then you'll need to check your thermostat, it may be stuck open, your waterpump may be going bad as well, or the radiator may very well be bad itself, as well. There are also temperature sensors that you can look at as well. It could be any of these items. But I would check the converter, first, myself. Also, check your muffler or mufflers... If one or both of these are plugged or restricted, your engine will run hot, there by causing your radiator to run hot as well. Somtimes you can see that the muffler or mufflers are bent badly, or out of shape.But, you don't always see the damage, though. Sometimes the inner parts of the mufflers can come appart, causing a restriction as well. So, I would check the muffler or mufflers. as well. I had a car that had a damaged muffler once... In my case, the car ran hotter than normal, till I replaced the muffler. I just got a glasspack, and installed that on the car. Not only was it cheaper than the factory muffler, but it wasn't nearly as heavy as the factory one, either. Which is easier on your entire exhaust system... You don't have all that extra weight pulling down on the pipes, with a glasspack. Hope this helps you some.

Answer 3

it,s a strain on your engine, trying to go, which in turn it could make the engine hot.try changing the thermostat first.