gud day, i've just installed a surplus radiator for my '96 vti A/T, it's a 1 row radiator. the one i removed was a 2 row rad. i really wanted an evercool 2 rows but my 6k budget was just right to buy a surplus rad, timing belt, head cover gasket, change oil and brake fluid and labor.

my problem before was, my old rad has already a leak w/c started 2 weeks ago, it was already overhauled last december, so instead another overhauling it again i decided to buy a surplus, since it's a vti's stock rad i assume it will be as good as a 2 row evercool. now here's what i've noticed after a day passed:

1. on my old rad whenever my speed goes 90kph up (A/C on) the temp starts rising, when i slow down the temp drops to normal. on my newly installed surplus rad, the situation is opposite, the temp stays to half mark even my speed goes 90kph up, but would suddenly start rising when i'm slowing down or when i'm fully stop (idle), what do u think is going wrong?

2. from a fresh start in the morning (stays idle), i've noticed that the rad fan takes some 20mins before it starts rotating, up to a point that smoke gets out in the radiator but the temp gauge remains in half. in my old rad, u can't see smoke coming out of the radiator but it also takes 20mins before the rad fan starts to rotate. the fan's automatic mode is working and the fan rotates at high speed, and when the fan starts rotating, it's only when the smoke gets out. any idea?

3. i've used a prestone coolant (green) on my surplus rad, and i've notice that the rad cap and even the coolant reservoir has some dirt like mud or clay. on my old radiator i only use a mineral water and i don't see that clay-like dirt on the cap. is this normal?


sori for my lack of knowledge questions as i'm not fully aware or familiar of any technicality about car. i must admit too that at my age, there's still lot of things i don't know bout simple troubleshooting, all i know is drive. and here, in this forum (and other car forum) that i'm just learning and being educated from reading and posting.

too bad that most of the mechanics here in our place (pangasinan) are not yet or they don't have yet a knowledge and skill operating internet online so at least they could read some very informative topics here that would help them be better mechanics.

tnx for replies.