Csx 4000 issues- can u help?

Bdsiny · #1 (**permalink**) 09-12-2013, 02:25 PM

I have a csx 4000 series 427 s/c cobra. The car overheats regularly. I have put in water wetter as well as water constantly cause it pisses out after too hot. The front two propeller fans are not working (previous owner said he disabled it) not sure how to get them going again. Fuses? Also , brake lights don't work. And just recently, the fuel pump switch stopped working?? Any help ideas would be greatly appreciated Thanks

mrmustang · #2 (**permalink**) 09-12-2013, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bdsiny

I have a csx 4000 series 427 s/c cobra. The car overheats regularly. I have put in water wetter as well as water constantly cause it pisses out after too hot. The front two propeller fans are not working (previous owner said he disabled it) not sure how to get them going again. Fuses? Also , brake lights don't work. And just recently, the fuel pump switch stopped working?? Any help ideas would be greatly appreciated Thanks

. As far as overheating, are you using a combination of anti-freeze and water, or just water in your radiator? Also, when the motor is running and warmed up, is the electric fan located on the back side of the radiator kicking in? If not, then either the fuse is blown, or the inline thermostatic switch is faulty and needs to be replaced. Since the fuel pump, brake, lights, and cooling fan are on separate fuses, I suspect a short somewhere in your main wiring harness.

Where are you located, as there may be a few "cobra friendly" shops we can point you towards.

Bill S.

Bdsiny · #3 (**permalink**) 09-12-2013, 03:21 PM

The other electric fans are working. With the switch or on its own while hot which is good. I believe it's just water and water wetter fluid I'm in Staten Island New York Also need carb work. Backfiring etc. any help would be great.

mrmustang · #4 (**permalink**) 09-12-2013, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bdsiny

The other electric fans are working. With the switch or on its own while hot which is good. I believe it's just water and water wetter fluid I'm in Staten Island New York Also need carb work. Backfiring etc. any help would be great.

Don't take this the wrong way, but from your posts so far, you do not sound like the type who generally does anything but check the oil levels in his daily driver(s). You need to add a 50/50 mix of anti freeze (you can buy it pre mixed, and from the sound of it, I highly suggest you do) and water immediately. You can then add water wetter to the mix for some minor additions to your cooling system.

Mechanic wise:

Contact RICK LAKE via PM on this forum he is in East Brunswick, NJ.

Or

contact the Long island Cobra Club by CLICKING HERE to see if they have anyone that may be closer that can assist you in setting your car up properly.

Bill S.

mickmate · #5 (**permalink**) 09-12-2013, 03:44 PM

Bill Andrews at HRE in Long Island probably knows 4000's better than anyone. 516-378-5461 tell him Nick sent you.

mrmustang · #6 (**permalink**) 09-12-2013, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickmate

Bill Andrews at HRE in Long Island probably knows 4000's better than anyone. 516-378-5461 tell him Nick sent you.

I was trying to remember HRE but for the life of me I could not. I stinks getting old......

Bdsiny · #7 (**permalink**) 09-12-2013, 06:29 PM

I'm defiantly not a mechanic . I did read up and heard that regular anti freeze won't cool it as much as purified water. Should the overflow tank be filled to the top? Thanks for the contacts. I don't trust a regular joe on this car.

mrmustang · #8 (**permalink**) 09-12-2013, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bdsiny

I'm defiantly not a mechanic . I did read up and heard that regular anti freeze won't cool it as much as purified water. Should the overflow tank be filled to the top? Thanks for the contacts. I don't trust a regular joe on this car.

On a "track only" race car, yes, straight water is preferred, on a car driven on the street (and subject to below freezing temps during the winter) antifreeze is preferred......

Bill S.

Dimis · #9 (**permalink**) 09-12-2013, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bdsiny

I have a csx 4000 series 427 s/c cobra. The car overheats regularly. I have put in water wetter as well as water constantly cause it pisses out after too hot. The front two propeller fans are not working (previous owner said he disabled it) not sure how to get them going again. Fuses? Also , brake lights don't work. And just recently, the fuel pump switch stopped working?? Any help ideas would be greatly appreciated Thanks

Sounds like a nice car, bar the wiring...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bdsiny

The other electric fans are working. With the switch or on its own while hot which is good. I believe it's just water and water wetter fluid I'm in Staten Island New York Also need carb work. Backfiring etc. any help would be great.

So with that, I've got a stupid suggestion:
Any chance the wires to the fan (not the pusher fans out front, but the puller fan between the radiator and your pulley system) are on the wrong way, causing the fan to spin in the wrong direction?

Bdsiny · #10 (**permalink**) 09-12-2013, 07:36 PM

Is that possible?? And there is never a stupid question! Never even thought of that. Silly but I don't even know the correct way they should be turning. Got this car recently with 3800 miles on it thinking its good to go. Being a borderline race car, guess I was wrong Most likely won't be using this car in the winter either.

mrmustang · #11 (**permalink**) 09-12-2013, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bdsiny

Is that possible?? Most likely won't be using this car in the winter either.

If you have a heated garage, great, if not, you'll be thanking me for telling you to add anti-freeze, not only for better heat transfer in your engine and radiator, but for the fact it will not freeze and crack your block when the car sits in it's winter slumber.

Bill S.

bobcowan · #12 (**permalink**) 09-12-2013, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bdsiny

I'm defiantly not a mechanic . I did read up and heard that regular anti freeze won't cool it as much as purified water. Should the overflow tank be filled to the top?

This is correct. Plain water with a surfactent like Water Wetter or Cool Ice will carry and transfer heat better than anti-freeze. If your car is overheating, adding anti-freeze will make it worse. That being said, you really need to run at least a 25% mixture. Antifreeze contains lube for the water pump, and anti-corrosion additives. Plus, winter is coming, so.......

Reasons for overheating can be long and complicated. Try and break it down to a checklist, with the simple things first.

- Fan not working correctly. With the rear fan running, put your hand on the front of the radiator. Makes sure it's sucking air through the radiator core. If it overheats at speeds >45mph or so, the fan is usually not the issue. Unless it's running backwards.

- The two front fans are there for decoration. Ignore them.

- Replace the radiator cap.

- Incorrect ignition timing.

- Lean fuel mixture. Since you're having carb problems, this could be a big contributing factor.

- Incorrect cam timing. Much more difficult to check, and not usually a huge factor.

- The overflow bottle should be about 1/2 full with the engine cold.

Bdsiny · #13 (**permalink**) 09-12-2013, 08:49 PM

I will definitely add some anti freeze. And need to make sure the fans are proper (I believe they are in good order) Now the radiator cap, what's the significance of replacing that? Again, I'm far from a mechanic so bear with me. This is all great info for me and is much appreciated. Thanks

PANAVIA · #14 (**permalink**) 09-13-2013, 12:17 AM

What is your CSX number ? There are a lot of differences in those

fordracing65 · #15 (**permalink**) 09-13-2013, 01:17 AM

Just take it to a good mechanic, one mentioned here preferably, their is a good chance they will find a few other things on the car that need attention also, just to be safe and you will know it is done right...

Bdsiny · #16 (**permalink**) 09-13-2013, 04:58 AM

Csx #4752 S/c.

patrickt · #17 (**permalink**) 09-13-2013, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordracing65

Just take it to a good mechanic, one mentioned here preferably, their is a good chance they will find a few other things on the car that need attention also, just to be safe and you will know it is done right...

That's the best advice. Your whole problem could be nothing more than an air bubble and flaky fan relay. But, if you don't know what you're looking at, then you're not likely to see it.

Bdsiny · #18 (**permalink**) 09-13-2013, 07:56 AM

Csx 4752

jhv48 · #19 (**permalink**) 09-13-2013, 08:16 AM

Don't rule out a stuck thermostat as well.

What does the water temp gauge show when the engine overheats?
Are the fans running at that time?
If the fans are not coming on when the temp gets over 100 Celsius, feel the radiator hoses going to and from the radiator. Are they hot? If not, your thermostat is stuck closed and no water is circulating through the radiator. Simple and cheap fix.
If the hoses to and from the radiator are hot to the touch, the fans are on and it still overheats, take it to a mechanic. Sum ting Wong!

Bdsiny · #20 (**permalink**) 09-13-2013, 08:48 AM

The temp gauge reads about 130 (260) when I can smell it and hear it pissing out The fans are on for sure. I usually put the fans on as soon as I start driving cause I know she runs hot. I will do the test that you said to see if the thermostat is in fact stuck and not circulating. Thanks!!