My 1969 firebird's temperature continually starts to overheat especially when idling. When I put the fan on luke warm air comes out. I just put a new water pump in,new thermostat, and the radiator doesn't leak. I dont have a fan clutch-but I have a flex fan. If I got the radiator flushed out would that work?? HELP ME, PLEASE!!!!
2007-07-02 13:23:04 · 8 answers · asked by sue666 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Pontiac
I understand you to say that your passenger compartment heater fan blows only warm air while the engine overheats. That could be an indication of poor coolant circulation.
A bad water pump, thermostat, or restrictions in your radiator, hoses, or coolant passages in your engine block and heads could all be culprits.
Since you've just gotten a new water pump and thermostat, it is remotely possible that one or both were improperly installed or they could have been faulty to begin with.
On the other hand, if your engine has not been rebuilt in some time, the water passages could be clogged up.
It is puzzling that your car is more likely to overheat while idling. That usually indicates poor heat transfer in your radiator, which can result from bent or clogged radiator fins or a bad fan clutch. But either of these problems would make your heater blow hot air into the passenger compartment.
You may have more than one problem.
2007-07-02 15:10:53 · answer #1 · answered by Otto 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I assume you have a Pontiac 350 or 400? The older pontiacs are famous for this. They need all the low-speed cooling they can get. The radiator must be in top notch shape. You also must have the correct fan shroud to help the fan pull air thru the radiator. Most of the flex fans are junk. The correct heavy-duty fan clutch and 19" fan blade are important too.
Its also common for the divider plates behind the water pump to be messed up. That, along with the coolant guide tubes, direct water thru the block.
Carb settings and ignition timing are essential too. Too much info to post here.
lots more Pontiac info:
www.performanceyears.com
2007-07-04 04:40:51 · answer #2 · answered by electron670 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like your coolant is not circulating properly.
Likely sources are a thermostat stuck open, or an air lock in your coolant system (probably in the heater core).
A fix for the heater core situation is to bleed the coolant system of air.
A helper is handy to have with you.
With the engine cold, loosen the clamp on the output side of the heater core. Then, grip the hose and twist it gently back and forth to loosen its' seal.
Set your heater to full hot. Run the engine at idle, holding the hose in place to bleed it of air. Maximum circulation comes when the thermostat has opened, so be very careful, as hot anti-freeze is sticky and can burn you rather handily.
When you get a steady stream of anti-freeze and/or you get hot air in the passenger compartment, you are done. Tighten the clamp and road test to see if the problem is cured.
2007-07-03 11:28:38 · answer #3 · answered by KRIEGAR 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most likely the radiator. They will slowly clog over the years from mineral deposts and sedement. A flush will not remove enough to cure your problem. The car is 38 years old, and begging for a nice new clean radiator. You could also compare the cost of new to having the one you have rebuilt at a local radiator shop. Awsome car...good luck!
2007-07-03 12:40:19 · answer #4 · answered by greaserat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well you stated your heater puts out Luke warm air comes . So you have flow . when the car runs hot does the air become hot. It could be a faulty temp sensor or gauge. If it boils over then you know the temp sensor is good. radiator should be removed and boiled and inspected to be on the safe side
2007-07-04 09:27:45 · answer #5 · answered by miiiikeee 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Turn on engine take off cap,cover with your hand and remove it,look to see if water is swirling around rad,if it doesn't maybe need a new cap or the pump no good.Maybe thermostat no good.You have to see if it still pumps and its circulating.What about head gasket?Blown head gasket
can cause overheat.
2007-07-02 13:37:06 · answer #6 · answered by thresher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
new thermostat should be 195 degree. they also sell a 180 degree thermostat for older cars. make sure it is the 195. also, was it put in right-side-up?
pontiac water pumps are kinda tricky-they have spacer plate and must be put in correct.
who did the work?
2007-07-06 11:11:52 · answer #7 · answered by mycle1000 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is also possible that your choke idle setting is not undoing after the car warms up. you need to tap the gas pedal once to see if that helps. usually this causes a faster idle speed until the motor has warmed up enough to fully open the choke. (at least on a lot of carbs that have chokes)
2016-05-17 04:24:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋