1985 overheating
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3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts
1985 overheating
It all started when I replaced the radiator with a new one, but then the new radiator was leaking even more than they old one. I removed the new leaking radiator and left my coolant hoses open and exposed to the air for a few days or a week while I returned the leaking one for another. I put everything back together and thankfully fixed the leak, but had opened a pandora's box of new problems. I noticed the coolant temperature now skyrockets up and the front cooling fan turns on when the key is in the "on" position and continues when the engine is started. I'm assuming the front cooling fan is a whole problem of its own and possibly just a short or the relay. I believe the overheating may be caused by the thermostat drying out and becoming faulty? Maybe the thermostat and coolant temperature sensor? Before I noticed the overheating I drove around the block and hear a slight squeaking noise from the engine only during acceleration and I think the water pump could be faulty or just trying to hard to push coolant through the stuck thermostat. Maybe I'm wrong or right I just need someone to give me the motivation to get up and fix this thing again it's been sitting for a year and it's to pull her out from the grave. Any advice, ideas, anything would be much appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 326
From: Central Pennsylvannia
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
I would definitely replace the thermostat, it's relatively an inexpensive part for peace of mind, also make sure you have followed the instructions when filling your cars antifreeze, any air caught in the system will cause your car to overheat, I believe there's bleeders on the water pump and the throttle body that will help remove any air from the system, once you have done this, let the car cool down and top of the radiator and overflow tank to the correct marks on the tank. I'm sure i may be missing some steps, but if you do a search on here there should be step by step instructions.
Good luck
Chris
Good luck
Chris
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 86
Likes: 11
If there is overheating after replacing a part of the coolant system then I would think there is air bubble in the system. On a chevy small block they usually get the bubble out by themselves. What it sounds like is the thermostat didn't open allowing no water to flow. Run and let it get warm. If the upper radiator hose is colder than the bottom then it's thermostat.
Take the throttle body off and set a side. Now you have easy access to do the thermostat. Make sure you get a gasket. No need to replace a temp sensor and the car has two of them. One sensor for gauge and one for computer. The odds of a water pump going bad by not pumping fluid is rare.
For future reference... when you do coolant system work and the whole system is drained, you fill it up as full as possible, run the car without the radiator cap on and wait for it to warm up. The thermostat will open making the fluid level drop then fill it back up then its ok to drive it.
Take the throttle body off and set a side. Now you have easy access to do the thermostat. Make sure you get a gasket. No need to replace a temp sensor and the car has two of them. One sensor for gauge and one for computer. The odds of a water pump going bad by not pumping fluid is rare.
For future reference... when you do coolant system work and the whole system is drained, you fill it up as full as possible, run the car without the radiator cap on and wait for it to warm up. The thermostat will open making the fluid level drop then fill it back up then its ok to drive it.
