86` camaro overheating

[joshruss07]

I have a 1986 camaro, witha 305. While i am driving down the road the temp is fine, but a few minutes after i stop and let it idle it starts to overheat. i have changed the waterpump, fan, and radiator.

[wrightz28]

Welcome to AF!

Waht else can you tell us about the car? Since it's a inbetween year, do you have a elec. fan or belt driven? EFI or carb?

There's a number of possible suspects, anything else out of the ordinary?

[joshruss07]

It is a belt driven fan and it has a carb on it?

[wrightz28]

Well, if you've replaced the pump and radiator already, I would go with the actual heart of the sytem and replace the thermostat and rad. cap (probably got one with the new rad. but....)

Other possiblities are way advanced ignition timing, bad fan clutch, air in the system or air dam missing althought not big of a deal on a mech. fan set up (don't even remembre if they were used ).

If I may, since I don't see it for myself, what are you're indicators that it is overheating?

[joshruss07]

Well i have already changed the thermo twice, and i put a new rad. cap on it. I think it is supposed to have electric fans on it because it has connectors in the fuse box and brackets in the front. I know it is overheating, of course my gauge is wrong, but i know where it is supposed to run at on it and when i kill it it will start sizzling and then start boiling out of the rad. into the overflow then out of the overflow. And me and my brother timed it when i got it.

[97cavalier]

wow, never get it that hot again, you can do some serious damage to the motor getting it that hot. Did you check under the front bumper befor the radiator for the little air damn? that directs the air to the radiator so it cools it down. Also i would check your fan clutch.

[wrightz28]

Originally Posted by 97cavalier

wow, never get it that hot again, you can do some serious damage to the motor getting it that hot. .

And to say the least fry an auto tranny,

All basis seem coverd, something yet something isn't right, something si being overlooked. Do you have a hydrometer? If not they're like $2, and check the protection level of the coolant.

[joshruss07]

I have never heard of one of those. What is it and where is it located?

[Blue Bowtie]

It is a belt driven fan and it has a carb on it?

Was that a question or a statement? I'll presume you have a mechanical clutch fan. (LG4?)

If it is not overheating under load and at road speed (where heat load is greater but ram air is providing cooling) but overheats at idle, try setting the correct curb idle RPM, or raising it slightly above the top end of the specified range. Use a handheld diagnostic tachometer, NOT the dash-mounted POS "tachometer" (which is more of a trim piece than an instrument). Low RPM will not provide adequate coolant flow nor adequate air flow through the radiator.

[joshruss07]

Is the curb idle just the idle of the car, and what is the specific range?

[Blue Bowtie]

The decal stuck to the underside of the hood will have the information. Since we lack all the specifics of the vehicle, I'll have to continue to guess that it is the LG4 V-8. There are three idle speed adjustments on the carbed V-8s. One is the high idle on the choke linkage cam. One is curb idle with the idle speed solenoid active. The last is curb idle with the idle speed solenoid disconnected.

With the engine at full operating temperature, remove the air cleaner assembly and cap/plug any vacuum lines removed with the air cleaner. Place the transmission in PARK or NEUTRAL. Adjust the high idle cam to maintain 1,500 RPM on the highest step of the idle cam. Disengage the high idle cam and turn the air conditioner on. Verify that the idle speed solenoid is active and is extended.

Set the parking brake and/or chock the wheels, then place the transmisison in DRIVE. You may want to have an assistant hold the service brake as an additional safety measure.

Adjust the hex bolt on the idle speed solenoid to maintain 600 RPM idle speed in DRIVE.

Disconnect the electrical connector from the idle speed solenoid and set the idle stop screw to maintian a 500 RPM idle speed in drive.

Place the transmission in PARK, turn off the engine, and reconnect the electrical connector for the idle speed solenoid.