84 overheating

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 26, 2019 | 12:49 PM

Sliver84

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Jan 2019

Posts: 30

Likes: 0

From: Aliquippa, PA

84 overheating

Drove my 84 to the gas station down the road yesterday and it decided to overheat on me. Temperature kept going up as long as I was on the gas but as soon as I let off it would drop rapidly. It was 30 degrees outside and the cars temp got to over 250 and the light came on. When I would coast it would quickly drop to 150ish. Any ideas? I tried to get the radio fan to come on in the garage by putting the AC on but neither the AC compressor or the cooling fan would turn on.

Feb 26, 2019 | 02:37 PM

Gunho

Racer

Joined: Feb 2015

Posts: 265

Likes: 19

From: Tampa FL

If the compressor doesn’t kick on, it won’t turn the fans on either. On that issue, I’d check Freon level. The A/C has a low pressure cut of to save the compressor. As for over heating in 30 degree weather? Could be a water pump issue, or your radiator fluid is frozen.

Feb 26, 2019 | 02:43 PM

84 4+3

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2017

Posts: 6,941

Likes: 1,490

From: New Jersey

So first I would check the dash gauge sensor connection. When mine was loose it would read erratically like that as well. Easiest test is to hold your hand on the upper rad hose. It'll hurt but you should always be able to do that. If you can't hold it for a few seconds you are well above 220. Feel the upper and lower hose. You should feel a temperature difference if your pump is working. IF your upper hose doesn't get hot at all you have a pump or thermostat problem.

Feb 26, 2019 | 03:16 PM

Sliver84

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Jan 2019

Posts: 30

Likes: 0

From: Aliquippa, PA

Now that you say that I recently just has the dash apart to replace the polarizing film and had trouble with the temperature gauge not lighting up. Any suggestions what to look for as far as that goes? I took it apart and trimmed the film back to flush and now it works but now.im getting the sparatic reading.

Also I changed the thermostat several weeks ago so that shouldn't be an issue

Feb 26, 2019 | 04:45 PM

corvettenorway

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2013

Posts: 1,173

Likes: 152

From: norway

check the fuseble link

Feb 27, 2019 | 01:18 AM

Hot Rod Roy

Safety Car

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 3,953

Likes: 550

From: Mission Viejo CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sliver84

the cars temp got to over 250 and the light came on. When I would coast it would quickly drop to 150ish.

Even though it was cold, it's strange the engine temp would drop all the way to 150 deg. Was the engine really over 250? Radiator was full? Front of radiator clean, not packed with snow? Any sign of boiling? Does the car o'heat just sitting at idle? Does the fan come on when idling? The a/c not activating the radiator fan is a separate question. The gauge may have mislead you, but there are other ways to see if the radiator fan works, or not! Let's solve one question at a time.

Feb 27, 2019 | 08:04 AM

Sliver84

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Jan 2019

Posts: 30

Likes: 0

From: Aliquippa, PA

Nope there is nothing in the way. I did top off the tank when I got home but it wasn't very low at all. No signs of boiling over either so I have a feeling the gauge is lying to me. I dont want to chance it though.