1999 Montero sport not circulating water after reassembley

LSTILL

MEMBER
1999 MITSUBISHI MONTERO
3.0L
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
185,000 MILES

My montero sport broke timing belt bent several intake valves. Had machine shop replace all valves and guides as needed. Put the top end back together with all new gaskets. Started ran great but after driving about 2-3 miles engine starts to slowly overheat raised hood top hose very hot, sounds like water was trying to boil on top of engine bottom hose cool to touch. After cooling down replaced water pump checked all hoses, radiator(back flushed plenty of volume thru core)removed thermostat and bled air from system. Started again and did the same thing.I took top and bottom radiator hoses loose and ran water through system and it comes out the other end so assuming water is going through? Pulled the heater hoses loose from core and no water circulating here either. Don't know what else to check? Any ideas appreciated.

5 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Were the head gaskets replaced correctly? Try bleeding cooling system put rad higher in front and check radiator cap. There may be bleeder screws on tstat housing or intake or pipes open screws til coolant comes out.

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Tuesday, November 17th, 2015 AT 5:58 AM

LSTILL

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6 POSTS

Hmac300- Thanks for your reply. I am starting to think that the head gaskets may have been the wrong ones in the kit. They fit correctly on the block dowel pins but didn't look closely at the alignment of the water jacet holes because it was late and the light was bad. If the water jackets were covered by the gasket being set incorrectly wouldn't this also keep coolant from flowing? I am going to completely remove the engine to repair because the water bypass tube in the back had to be loosely attached and both heads lifted together, set in place in order to get the heads on (there just isn't enough room to install it with heads installed and tightened). The caskets have the cylinders sealed but not necessarily letting water through. Thank you so much Larry

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Tuesday, November 17th, 2015 AT 10:18 AM

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

If they are wrong and block passages then it would heat up like you see. The ID mark has to face upward on block to install correctl;y.

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Tuesday, November 17th, 2015 AT 10:46 AM

LSTILL

MEMBER
6 POSTS

Hmac300 thank you so much for your help. Just one other question The water crossover Pipe from each head on the rear of the 1999 montero Sport 3.0 is almost impossible to get on with the enjine in the vehicle. The only way I could get it on is to put it on with the gaskets loosely and lift the heads together in put them in place on the block. Then to tighten the 4 bolts it must have taken several hours to get a wrench into position it to tighten the 4 bolts. Should I just pull the engine? Thank you again and happy Holidays! Maybe ther's another way?

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Wednesday, November 18th, 2015 AT 3:35 AM

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Unless you can get it from under the car with a long extension and a ujointed socket. Do it the best way you can I would try however by not pulling engine. Also if gaskets have slipped that may be why it's overheating as well.