Finally fixed up my 86, but i can't drive it much more than 10 without the dash telling me it's getting too got. The radiator is full and and everything. Help appreciated

Does it still have the mechanical fan? If not, is the electric fan working? Have you verified the actual temp with an infrared thermometer? In town driving or freeway?

1.  you're positive the radiator is full?   (it's possible to fill it up one day after doing some work - then by the next day a bunch of air bubbles have dropped the level showing in the radiator neck)

2.  after running it a few times - is the amount of coolant in the system getting lower? 

3.  is coolant coming out of the exhaust?

4.  what work was done to it?

5.  are there any leaks?

6.  are the fans coming on?

7.  are there bubbles in the overflow tank?

8.  how long did this car sit?

Radiators don't last forever and yours is 30 years old. 

Okay, so basically, both fans work, I wired the electric one into the car so i could turn it on manually

 

It was sitting about 10 years, but i took out the motor and cleaned it all up, replaced the heads and such

 

I haven't used a thermometer, but i can tell it's getting hot

 

The radiator is the original, and isn't looking great, but i don't see any leaks. I want to buy a new one but it's custom for the xt (like a lot of things) and so is very expensive, but I'll probably get one anyways.

 

Thanks for the help????

Edited June 21, 20169 yr by SomeoneWithCarTrouble

Is the radiator still the one from when it's been sitting 10 years?

Have you had the radiator flow tested?

pull the radiator out and put a hose in the top and see how much fows out the bottom. 

 

i think you can get XT radiators for like $120, here's one for $160:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Radiator-APDI-8011099-fits-85-91-Subaru-XT-/371504136849?fits=Year%3A1988%7CMake%3ASubaru%7CModel%3AXT%7CSubmodel%3AGL%7CEngine+-+Liter_Display%3A1.8L&hash=item567f5f4291:g:MzIAAOSw3ydVtwuQ&vxp=mtr

 

in general Subaru water pumps don't really fail - but after 10 years of sitting i'm not sure what that would do to the water pump vanes - deteriorated/rusted?

 

thermostat stuck?

Verify 1,2,7.

Then thermostat.

Radiator -- flow and fins.