Over Heating

89' Regal GS, 3.1.

Just replaced my by-pass heater tube. All the seals and the new tube works fine. I had a cracked radiator, so I used some sealant stuff, which seems to have worked.

I also got a tip that it might be my thermostat, so I picked one up and poped that in yesterday, really haven't been able to test it yet.

After about 30 minutes of driving, my heat gauge isn't to high, its a lil high thou. But when my coolant water is returning to the resavor it is boiling hot. Which led me to beleive its the thermostat.

(#1) Any tips on what to check and how to go about checking it? I have limited tools, and very forgien to cars.


(#2) Another things is my tranny. I would like to save myself from haveing to dish out eminsive ammounts of cash to fix my tranny (if it does need fixxen). But the car is late in shifting. It shifts late from first, should be shifting about 300-500 RPM's slower from first to second, when your gassing it.

(#3) One more thing, my power seems to be really sapped. And I hear a clickitie click sound when I reach upper-end RPM's. Much like the sound a car would have when your oil is low. My oil level is fine right now however. Could this mean I need a valve adjustment? And if so, what is the best way to go about doing this?

I tried numbering my questions to make it easyer to respond to. Any tips or input is GREATLY appreciated. I have just been learning about cars in this experience. Never had to deal with them before, but I actualy find pleasure in completing a job :) I have my "Chiltons" and have been reading that in my free time.

Thanks again for all the help. Michael.

To add to those coolant problems, and other problems.

I think I found out why, my cars heating up some much. The oil on the dip stick smells almost like gas. Not sure if its gas that is mixxed with my oil, but sure smells like it.

As far as I know this would mean a blown gasket right? or my intake leaking? Need some help on this please.

Don't know what to tell you about the transmission issues, but read this excerpt I posted for another AF member, maybe it'll help your cooling issues:
when you go to fill your cooling system, there's a screw-looking bleeder valve on the thermostat housing that MUST be open when you fill the cooling system!! If you don't, you WILL trap air in your cooling system, and the water pump will be ineffective in circulating coolant, causing your overheat condition. When you get it full to the point where the coolant is coming out of the valve, install it finger-tight snug, start the engine, then back it out until coolant bubbles out slowly. Let it bleed out some coolant for about 30 seconds, then close it off. See how that works, let us know.
Good Luck!!

The ticking sound that you heard means that you need to put a higher gasoline in the tank.

like for an examble,

if you use the cheapest gas ('87') try putting a higher gasoline, maybe ('89') and see if that works, if not check the transmission fluid, and oil.

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