herb

I did change the thermostat, the cap and plugs are fairly new, as is the radiator; and I am losing coolant unfortunately. I'll check the plugs as you said, because from the sounds of it my cylinder head may be the issue. I could smell coolant when I was driving it but when I parked it and looked around the rad wasn't leaking and it wasn't all that hot.

I'm at my wits end, I've got a 1986 GL that won't start cold without the assistance of ether, won't idle - seemingly runs fine but it won't hold an idle, it just stalls, and after running the temp soars into the danger zone in short order. I briefly went over the vacuum system, cleaned the egr valve, changed the thermostat and drained and refilled the coolant and the issues persist, just looking for some input from you more experienced subie mechanics before i start blindly throwin money and parts at the damn thing. THANK YOU!