1989 Firebird overheating problems help!!!

[xlwhellraiser]

Hi, I have been battling this problem ever since I bought the car. I changed the radiator and put in a new fan motor 180 stat, and today I heated up to 240. I was mad since I put in a lot of money into the cooling system. So I want your help. Also, I have a problem starting when my car gets that hot. It will start but die and I will have to do this maybe three times before it starts oscilating and actually running. However when I let it cool it starts up fine. What could that be?? I checked my waterpump and it did not spit any coolant out of the little hole, so I am suspecting the hoses, which I am going to replace but I was wondering if replacing the pump would have any bearing on the performance of the cooling system ( a fresh pump ). Please help?!?!?

[tacoma man.]

if the bearing has went down you would hear a rough sound from it when you rev it up. what kind of engine does your car have? if its a 305 you need a 195 thermostat. i tried a smaller in another camaro that i had it was a 160 degree one, all it done was stay open, and the car overheated 220-240 degrees. i melted the motor down because i didnt know that i had to put in the thermostat that the engine calls for. my fan wasnt kicking on til around 195, it would cool the car off while the fan was on. half the time the fan stayed on. it burnt up my fan's temperature switch as well so you may want to call a GM dealer to find out what degree thermostat your car needs. good luck.

[86TATpi]

factory t-stat is a 195. the fan kicks on at 220, make sure that it is. there also could be a problem with the lower radiator hose collapsing while the car is driving. or the w/p may be failing. start with the fan and hose.

[yz85guy]

hi look under your car to see if the airdam is in place if not it will heat.its the black plastic piece under the car,this catches air &helps cool the engine.also make sure its not bent back it want cool as well.a fresh pump will definitely help ,will also let you know if the pump was your prob.also make sure your belt routing is correct ,if pump is turning the wrong way it will heat bad.hope this helps,jimmy

[xlwhellraiser]

I came to find out that firebirds came with three piece air dam. I am in process of ordering it, since mine is beat up, and its not sticking outward, but more like backward or straight down. Its hard to tell if it scoops air. At one point I reversed the dam so it faces forward and scoops the air in, but it seems like it did not work. I really need some good pictures of how a new one looked on the car, than I can tell if I need it or not.
I only have the middle dam, by the way

[yz85guy]

hi,iwas thinking about your heating last night,be sure your air conditioner is operating properly,reason being,if the air isnt working only 1 fan is coming on .the other fan works off of pressure switch on air conditioner .check this & let me know.jimmy

[xlwhellraiser]

Thanks, Jimmy, but I only have one fan (I know its not enough), however I just went ahead, and bought a Bosh heavy duty water pump, and I will be getting brand new air dam as well. This comes on top of a New radiator, 180 thermo, new fan motor.
Mind it, the fan is aluminum 3row direct replacement. I will drain it tomorow and get some better mixture in there. I think i have too much of antifreeze inthere. I think that as soon as I get the air damn (pun intended) my overheating will not be a problem. I will be back if it is.
Thank all for help.

[xlwhellraiser]

Yo, I just changed my water pump, and it cured my problem.
I run about 160-180 and no more and no less. Its awsome, I am also receiving the air dam. This will totally finish my total cooling replacement.
I used a bosch highflow heavyduty water pump. Reverse rotation and it works wonders..

[tacoma man.]

Originally Posted by xlwhellraiser

Yo, I just changed my water pump, and it cured my problem.
I run about 160-180 and no more and no less. Its awsome, I am also receiving the air dam. This will totally finish my total cooling replacement.
I used a bosch highflow heavyduty water pump. Reverse rotation and it works wonders..

glad to hear! how much for that pump?

[xlwhellraiser]

45 or 55 bucks. Belive me you will notice the difference immidiatelly. However without the airdam it will only hold for about 30 min. in great heats, than it will climb up from driving. But, if you do have a good condition air dam than you are in mad bussines.

[xlwhellraiser]

Alright I got and installed an air damn (pun) and it keeps the car at 180 no matter what kind of heat nor driving. Its awsome, but I hit it all the time. It sits about 2inches from the ground. It was ment to sustain some damage, but it sucks when you hear the scraping everytime there is a slighter bump. Its ok, but it could be better. An essential thing to have, the cheapes to replace. Go figure.

[ArmyMan1990]

I recently bought a 1989 firebird. It over heats, dies, and the radiator hose has come loose and anti freeze went everywhere. I have absolutely no clue what's wrong with it. I have been told that the Cadillac converter was stopped up but I don't know for sure. It dies all the time and you can smell gas fumes. Someone please help me figure out what's wrong.

[aleekat]

Not being a smart***. but you bought a 25 yr old car, and apparently you are not a mechanic. Blown head gasket, radiator, water pump, thermostat. ect... and you jumped on a 10yr old thread. start a new one, you may get some help..

[Thomas Sams]

Dude you are right that many fan are you change many radiator but i think its again the radiator problem after changing your problem of over heating is not solved you must change the complete cooling system...