ruberbanman126

I have a 1992 Camaro RS with a 305 TBI, I replaced the thermostat, radiator cap, flushed the coolant and put new coolant in, and replaced the water pump with one from car quest. The only thing I did not replace was the radiator. The car is over heating while idleing in my drive way, it gets up to 240 and sometimes over 240. The car only has 41,000 miles on it so I dont think its the radiator. Im thinking it is either the wrong water pump or the water pump is not working the way it should. I dont know what else to do, hoping you guys could help me out here, i really want to get the car back on the road.

oH HorizoN

Well as long as your radiator is correct and working, my first thought is that you have the wrong rotation type water pump on that car.

If the pump works as a reverse-rotation, let's say, but the belts are spinning it 'backwards', the coolant may not even be moving at all, which would explain such intense overheating.

ruberbanman126

The serpentine system is rotating the water pump pulley counter clock wise, is that correct for a 1992 305?

oH HorizoN

I do not know, but I believe the way to figure it out is by looking at the water pump pulley.

I don't want to mess you up if I'm wrong. Someone who knows for sure needs to tell you, lol. Or look it up?

ruberbanman126

I have a packet from GM that has all the specs for the whole car in it, and that doesnt tell me which way it should be spinning, I dont know where else to look. The packet also says its and 18 quart system, and i can only fit about 6 in it, 4 quarts to a gallon, 1 gallon of coolant and about half a gallon of water will fit. I dont know if this means the system is plugged up or not.

ruberbanman126

My friend who goes to Wyotech thinks that it is the head gasket, but its not leaking and there are no signs that it is the head gasket.

oH HorizoN

Idk why I just thought of this, but anyway-

Look up the water pump you bought and see the specs for it. That's how you will know.

ruberbanman126

I will have to do that, I didnt start having these problems untill I installed the new water pump.

oH HorizoN

Then it seems that's what it very well may be.

I know my 89 Camaro is reverse-rotation, and I damn near put a wrong one on not thinking about it - but got a correct one on before it was too late.

I hope that is the culprit, cause then your cooling system should be tip-top after a new waterpump is installed.

fordspanker

iTrader: (1)

You should have a reverse rotation water pump on that engine. look up the part # and make sure thats what they sold you.

ruberbanman126

I looked up the part number and it is a reverse rotation water pump. I still think it might be the water pump though because I didnt start to have problems until i replaced it.

travis401

iTrader: (1)

stock water pump should be spinning counterclockwise. it could just be you got a bad pump.

ruberbanman126

I think I may have found the problem. The radiator fins on the outside are completely plugged up with leaves and dirt.

travis401

iTrader: (1)

that would cause an overheating problem...

camaronewbie

No one ever asked, but is the fan working?

89RS_82Z

iTrader: (2)

i was thinking that too

ruberbanman126

Yes the fan is working, it turns on at about 220.

henryd3

iTrader: (128)

Well, with all those leaves and whatever, the fan may as well not be working. No air through the radiator equals no cooling. Did cleaning them out help?

ruberbanman126

The leaves are all out and it runs around 220 and sometimes up to 240 but i think thats because im still running about 25% coolant and 75% water from when i was flushing the system, i still have to put in new coolant.

one92rs

iTrader: (5)

well water is the best coolant. that will not cause it. i think you need to return that water pump and try another one.

elckibatman

okay, so i replaced a water pump this weekend.(helluva wayt o spend memorial day weekend. I replaced the pump, and there was two that came up at the parts store. One of them was like $70, and I bought on for liek $30, the guy didnt know what the dif was, and now this thread is getting me a little worried..lol

I replaced the water pump on Friday, only to find out that the thermostat housing was causing the leak. So, I replaced that and didn't put a thermostat in because of the hot weather.

I finally stopped all leaks today with a new hose, but the car is still warming up to 220 easily. I have a bad feeling that I'm dealing with a head gasket also, and the rust problem is ridiculous. I tried to flush it out but didn't have much success with the prestone. Would reverse flushing be better option?

blackbmagic

How about starting your own thread.

ikeepitreelz

220 is normal for these cars, thats when the fan comes on, and if you turn on your a/c the secondary fan should kick on. mines was running 220 in the city and it threw in a 180 thermostat and it runs soo much better, i did drill 3 small holes on the thermostat to always have coolant coming into the engine