86 gl overheating

[86scooby]

Hello, I am new to posting. I have an 86 GL EA82 with 190,000 that keeps overheating. I never let it go in the red, but it gets up there, then I turn the heater on and it goes down. In the winter, its cold here, no probelms, just the summer. Timing belts were replaced, flushed the radiator ( myself), everything else seems to be in good working order. He doesnt smoke or use oil. Does have a slight lifter tap but thats it. What else can it be? I was thinking of having a professional radiator flush or getting a new radiator but dont want to waste the money if it wont fix it. Could the head gasket be leaking without major symptoms? Is there something I am missing. Any help is appreciated, Thanks- Chris

[karinvail]

Hello, I am new to posting. I have an 86 GL EA82 with 190,000 that keeps overheating. I never let it go in the red, but it gets up there, then I turn the heater on and it goes down. In the winter, its cold here, no probelms, just the summer. Timing belts were replaced, flushed the radiator ( myself), everything else seems to be in good working order. He doesnt smoke or use oil. Does have a slight lifter tap but thats it. What else can it be? I was thinking of having a professional radiator flush or getting a new radiator but dont want to waste the money if it wont fix it. Could the head gasket be leaking without major symptoms? Is there something I am missing. Any help is appreciated, Thanks- Chris

 

Check for hot/cold spots in your radiator - that should tell you if you are getting good flow. I've taken radiators into radiator shops for flow and pressure testing, it's not too expensive (I had one that needed a tiny crack soldered and it was still only around $20). Make sure the electric fan is operational. Have you checked the thermostat?

[ballitch]

as stated above, check your thermostat, your radiator, if original, probably is clogged in a way that the average flush wouldnt take care of, a sign for headgaskets being the problem, is you will lose alot of power and be unable to maintain highway speeds or accelerate at all, happened to me in my 86 GL also once. have your radiator pressure tested and have the flow checked, you just might need a new thermostat or radiator.

 

 

 

 

~Josh~

[critical_max]

I had a similar symptom, the coolant temperature sensor (down at the corner of the radiator IIRC) was faulty.

[KStretch55]

I would bet that with the age of your soob, and presuming that it's the original radiator (or at least one that has been in quite a while), your radiator is plugged. Especially since it cools off when you turn on the heater. However, as someone else said, it could be the thermostat, too.

 

You can pull the radiator and clean it, if you're careful and patient. If you don't know how old the thermostat is I'd change it, too.

 

Good luck, Stretch