i got a 88 camaro 5.0 TBI and it recently started overheating, the radiator was done, it was all rusted so were the hoeses, so i installed a new one, new hoses and a 160 degree thermostat.. and had the cooling system flushed to get all the rust out, yet the car still overheats, when im on the freeway it stays nice and cool but once i hit the city stop and go traffic it starts to heat up, i noticed the fan doesnt kick on unless i got the a/c on but even then it really doesnt help the only time it doesnt heat up is when im on the freeway... the coolant is still kinda dirty, im gonna get it flushed again maybe tomorrow or monday could that be causing the overheat? thanks in advance for any help?

 

A little grit in the cooling system wont hurt any thing, other than how long the cooling pumps bearings and seal lasts.
How hot is it getting?
Cooling system components could be miss matched so that it runs between 160 and 220 when air flow drops off.

 

just took it out and it turns out that when the fan comes on it does cool the engine down, but it only comes on with the a/c on what could be causing that? im not sure once it gets to around 240 i just shut the car off cuz i dont want to blow a head gasket or anything

 

I have been reading a lot about this and it is supposed to come on when the a/c is on to keep the the pressure down in the a/c system. Its normal for the other fan to kick on around 220 and get up to 230.

 

For one it seems like you are just not getting any air flow.

 

whats your coolant ratio. and do you have a fan shroud? also...try getting a new "temperature fan sensor". get one that runs cooler. and try replacing the mechanical thermostat. always replace the thermostat when replacing a radiator. always. and FYI, 160* is bad! it has to be 195*. i run 185*. it has to do with the computer's settings. sometimes the car wont go into closed loop mode if the temperature is less than 185*. and if you did go the 160* route, then you need a new THERMOMASTER chip by hypertech, and you need a new fan switch thermistor sensor, plus its required that you run a higher grade octane..I can tell you in 500 words y. but just believe me. and its quite possible that your fan switch wire above the knock sensor, is BROKEN. mine was. but even if you did fix the wire, the thermostat has to go, needs to be rated higher. like 185*. PEACE

 

Is this the dual fan setup? Your primary fan should come on without the A/C. I think it's set to come on around 222*

 

I have an carburated 87' 305. I just put in a new radiator in the car. But the coolant would boil. Is this a water pump or thermostat problem? How do I know which is which?

 

You aren't running straight water in the car without antifreeze/coolant are you? Remember water boils at 212*F These cars are designed to run hot. The fans don't kick in til about 220* or so.

You can check the thermostat with a pot of water on your stove and, a good thermometer. They don't cost that much so you could just replace it.

 

(to the guy with coolant boiling)hey are you running 50/50 coolant ratio, even when you top off are you using 50/50 ratio coolant? run the car in park with the cap off, is the water gushing out of the heater hose rite there under where the cap would be? if its not gushing, then perhaps the water pump is bad, but if your coolant is boiling then i dont you have a bad mech. thermostat since its circulating through. um id try bleeding the air out first, and if the ratio of coolant isnt 50/50, re-do it, and recycle the coolant at an Autoshop, and pick up brand new coolant, even better, get the pre-diluted stuff. it already had water in it. and if not use 1 part distilled water mixed with 1 part coolant. you only need a gallon of coolant, a gallon of distilled water and maybe a second back-up premix of coolant. good luck. maybe your fan switch is busted