I've got an overheating 92 Camaro. Here's the deal. It stays plenty cool while driving, or for short runs to the store and back. But if I let it idle, it'll overheat. Most of the time, I'm not stopped long enuff to get it that hot, but occasionally it does. I've changed the thermostat, and checked the coolant/hoses, fans and things of that nature. All of that checked out fine. I'm thinking water pump, but I always thought that once they went bad, it was overheating all the time. One more note, If I'm idleing and it starts to get hot, I can rev the engine and cool it down that way. If it is a water pump, I've never changed one. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate a water pump install. Thanks for any help.

 

It's a very easy job even with removing the radiator and electric fan. I would rate it a "3" out of "10".

 

I would say to check your timing, to make sure you're not runnin lean perhaps.

Or take the rad cap off, start the car and let the car warm up. When the stat opens you should see the coolant in the rad start to get sucked down, or moving around. If it doesn't that is most likely a water pump prob there.

 

I actually have a 1991 Camaro, and I have the same problem. What was happening is that my electric fan wasnt turning on when it reached 220 (I believe), and my car would simply start overheating in traffic, or in a drive thru. Sometimes, it would actually pin down to red. Although it was that hot, it never smoked or anything, which I thought was weird. But exactly like you said, when driving on the freeway, or cruising, its usually 150-160 I believe. But once you stop, it gets hot.

What I did was I brought it in, and the mechanic told me the fan wasnt coming on because of a fuse and somethin else I forgot. Anyway, make sure that fan is coming on (youll hear it) when idling. Usually will activate at like 220 max, then turn on and cool down. But I know what you mean. :hail:

 

I have a 92 RS that overheats all the time when the ac is running or at long stop lights during rush hour. I had my car pressure tested and i found several pin holes in the gasets between the manifold and engine block and between the manifold and the tbi. So when ever i turned on the ac it would build up enough pressure to cause pin holes to open and when i would shut down the car the holes would reseal themselves.

You may wanna check out that out... took me several HOT summers to figure it out.

 

Are you running a fan shroud as well?