Well I'm buying a 89 camaro, but it has an over heating problem, water pump works, oil pump works, but it just over heats, so I'm guessing its part of the engine's knocking noise, thoughts?

 

If the pump works then my first thought would be to check the radiator fluid level (sounds dumb, but you have to start small when addressing issues with cars).

Next I'd check to see if hte fans are kicking on at 210 degrees (i believe it's around that temperature). If the fans dont kick on, well theres your problem, and It probably lies within a bad fuse or relay. Also check wiring, and even the motor of the fan itself could be shot.

If THAT isnt the issue, i'd try a stock oem water pump from autozone or something.

My fans werent working, but I was unhappy with the temp they come on at anyhow, so I rigged up a manual switch to the inside of my car, and I keep them on all the time. Now my car always stays between 160-190.

 

Check for the air dam underneath, commonly overlooked but without it you will have overheating problems. And I have ripped one off a couple times (damn snow).

 

^^ Ah, thats a good one, forgot about that. The air dam is a long strip of plastic about 5" tall that scoops air into the radiator. It is black, and underneath the front of the car, reaching from passenger side to drivers side.

 

if the motors knocking and it overheats...i'd point to head gasket...probably has compression getting into the cooling system. You could do a chemical test to see if there is combustion gasses in the coolant but if its knocking already..the damage is done

 

You might also want to check to make sure the thermostat is working, or just swap b/c it is a cheap part....If the engine isn't letting the hot water out to flow to the radiator then there is you problem. Another simple solution, is make sure the pressure cap on the radiator is still in order b/c if it isn't functioning properly, it will show symptoms of overheating, and maybe you just don't realize it could be somehting as simple as that.

 

Is it that important? I tore mine off because half of it was sagging (literally torn off anyway) and dragging on the ground.

 

Grim, you can have problems overheating on the freeway. That air dam forces air through the radiator cooling the water/coolant inside. You will have a lot less air going where its supposed to without it. Hope this helps.


Scuba, does it overheat on the street? sitting still? or on the freeway? or all of the above?

like already mentioned: I would check to make sure the coolant is full in the radiator, that the fans are coming on, and go from there. Good luck.

 

If that's the case I'm gonna see if I can rig it back up (I kept the dam). Maybe drill new holes and prop it back up. No wonder my engines gets to 240* in under an hour of driving.

 

The car will survive with out the air dam but it is preferred.
Skubatanker start off little like they said.
Check fluid- best bet would be to flush the entire cooling system.
170 Thermostat- suggested earlier, might as well when you flush.
also you may want to check ******* total fan control post.
cheap and easy fix for these fans turning on so late, thats why the engin gets so hot.
Two fans I think the primary turns on at about 220* and single fan turns on at about 245* about. Which obviously is no good.
Hope this helps.