(3.1 91firebird)


I have been dealing with an overheating problem since I bought my bird about 6 months ago. I originally thought it was the radiator since it was quite rusted inside. So 6 months later I have replaced the thermostat, radiator, heater hoses and radiator cap. After replacing the radiator cap a few days ago I noticed the upper rad hose is not heating up even after the engine reaches temp. Now If i remove the rad cap and then let the engine warm up the rad hose is plenty hot but doesn't feel as if it has a large coolant flow through it.

Im pretty sure the only thing I have left is the water pump. But before I go ahead and throw another part at it Im looking for any suggestions.

Oh, and also This is my heater hose setup.. This is how It was given to me. IS it correct? That T-fitting running up to the water pump just doesn't look normal to me.

 

bump. Anyone? My other car has a blown valve cover gasket. Trying to get the bird up this week so i can garage the other car.

 

its a good chance the water pump is on its way out. What temp thermostat did you put in? does the new one even work?

here is the heater plumbing setup on my 92 bird, its original as far as i know.

 

I was going to say poor water pump, clogged radiator tubes, or stuck thermostadt

 

Hmm... well where does the heater hose at the top passenger side of the radiator go to then since thats where the t-fitting on my radiator is connected. This may possibly be the problem since its rigged, the coolant flow may be changed.

The rad isn't clogged, its brand new with new coolant in it. Thermostat is new but am not sure if its working correctly.

First order of business is to get this hose configuration correct. Anyone have a diagram? or could tell me where this mystery hose connects to.

<edit> The thermostat I put in is a 180* stat.

 

should go to the heater valve, its the thing in the center of my pic. I looks like yours is gone. Ultimately, you need 1 hose going from the pressure side of the pump, to the heater core, and the other side of the core to a connection before the t-stat.

 

The heater valve is there in the pic. Its behind the (extra) hose. So on your rad is there a heater hose connecting to the outlet of the rad right under the rad cap? Not the overflow outlet but the one right next to/ below it.

Ill throw a better pic up on here in a few minutes.

 

Here is a better picture of the heater hose running from the rad. Do i just delete this and cap the rad outlet?

 

im not sure why that hose is there, it seems like sombody just tapped into the hose to the valve and connected to the radiator with a bleeder or something in the hose? I dont see why you cant just take it off.

 

Ok, well im off to find a cap to plug the radiator outlet. The thing in the hose was a flush valve for one of those coolant flush kits.