I have a continuing overheating problem with my '87 IROC. It has a "Golen" rebuilt 350 TPI. It constantly overheats, no matter what steps I take to prevent it. Yes, the spoiler is in place underneath. The car is currently at a local shop, and they haven't figured it out yet. The radiator has been to a shop, "rodded out", hte tank removed and inspected.....no obstructions. The T-Stat is brand new and works properly. The water pump is brand new and has been inspected in back, and pronounced OK. The hoses all are new. The block has just been flushed, with no significant "gunk" emanating from within. There are no coolant or oil leaks anywhere. The car overheats at idle within 3-5 minutes, cools off to normal operating temperature at "city" speeds, and overheats again at "freeway" speeds. slowing down to 35-45 MPH cools it off again, unless I stop at idle for 3-5 minutes. At the shop, they have run it up "hot", switched the fans on, and the motor will NOT cool for them, even with the fans running. I'm at my wits end, and am ready to sell it off to someone who wants to put up with this. Anyone have any ideas? I'm fresh out, and so is the shop.

 

Shot in the dark: Are the fans pulling air through the radiator?

JamesC

 

JamesC I was thinking the same.When I pulled the radiator on my '83(my'95 Jimmy was similar though not as bad)to replace the harmonic balancer the radiator and condensor were full of crud.And the space between them looked like a family of mice had been living there.

 

If the radiator's been removed, I assume any debris would have been discarded. Are the fans turning in a direction that pulls air through the rad?

JamesC

 

Good point to check fan rotation.It's easy to get a DC motor reversed.One nore thing on clog radiator or condensor.The condensor on mine was almost completly blocked.The PO must have never cleaned/sprayed the radiator down.

 

How does it overheat? Does it go up to 195ish, settle for a moment, then overheat? What? How?