If any of you guys are following my progress you know I have been busy.

So I seem to have the car running fairly well, but I feel like it is running hot even though the gauge is at or below the N.

The car also has started to make a noise that sounds like a bearing possibly from the water pump or something else not sure yet any ideas?

What are the odds my radiator is plugged up? car has 40k miles on it and is an 85 that is in good shape but I doubt the radiator has been out but do not really know.

Should I go ahead and pull the radiator and install a new pump? Already changed the tstats.

 

The gauges on these cars are flakey. Use a hand held infra-red thermometer to get a rough idea of actual temperature at each thermo housing



Water pump bearing noise (or alternator, or a/c) is entirely plausible. Remove the belts and give all the pulleys a spin. You can usually hear/feel a bad one pretty easily



At 27 years old it's plausible that the rad is clogged, yes. And bear in mind that these rads have a reputation for plugging *externally* as well as intnerally. Seeing 30% of the external surfaces clogged with leaves and debris is common

Cheers
DD

 

Well I already had the radiator top plate off to check for debris so I just decided to pull the radiator. I keep getting ahead if myself with this car.

The lower section of the radiator was pretty blocked with muck and junk and I don't think I could have washed it out without removing it.

I suppose I should just have the radiator cleaned since it is out, but I really need to get the car road worthy so I am convinced I am not spending money on something that has more serious issues.

Now that the radiator is out it sure is tempting to change all of the hoses belts and the water pump. hmmm what to do?

 

Change all the hoses and belts. No brainer. I would change the pump too, and also check the fan clutch is OK, which it probably is not.

Greg

 

Add to that the header tank in the engine bay LH side, will be quite full of muddy goo.

The atmospheric tank inside the inner guard access panel, LH side again, will also be rather full of mud.

As already said, ALL the hoses, belts, and the water pump with the radiator out is such an easy task, as compared to doing so with it in situ.

 

ive got a spare radiator for sale. its never been cleaned, but it flowed ok and didnt overheat.