Hello gentlemen and ladies, i know this topic has been beat to death.... Repeatedly. However i have failed to find a solution in most of the obvious places.
First up, the car is a 84, 2.5L, base model. The problem i keep having is, that it will overheat within a few minutes of starting the engine. The Radiator doesn't seem to heat up and the heater core lines are failing to warm up as well. The New bits: Radiator, all 4 radiator hoses, Temp sensor, Water pump, V belt, Thermostat, coolant overflow tank and hose, Radiator Cap, and Thermostat Cap. Other pertinent info: When the coolant hose running from the passenger hardline to the water pump was replaced, the waterpump end was completely blocked with a solid material. (presumed to be from old coolant) Also the temp Gauge doesn't work. Thermostat does work!!!, and all coolant i add to it seems to simply migrate to the overflow tank.
This is probably pretty obvious as well... but you've also checked both metal coolant pipes down each side of the car to make sure neither one has been crushed?
Other pertinent info: When the coolant hose running from the passenger hardline to the water pump was replaced, the waterpump end was completely blocked with a solid material. (presumed to be from old coolant)
Sounds like no circulation as others have mentioned. Did you remove and examine water pump and engine block where mounted? ------------------ My World of Wheels Winners (Click on links below)
Patrick, i had been using the method in ogre's cave to burp it. while doing the procedure the engine overheated on the 4th or 5th start up with a few minutes in between to cool off.
Sound, when the old pump was removed, the block side was relatively clean and no other blockages were noticed. (this was last novemberish so...) The small amount of debris that was present was removed and the surfaces cleaned before installing the new pump.
You mentioned the temp gauge isn't working. What indications are you observing to determine overheating? Steam coming off engine, coolant on the ground, or white smoke out the exhaust, Check Engine Light, Bubbling coolant in the recovery bottle, rough idle, etc??
Your not topping off the coolant recovery tank to the brim are you? Overheating a few minutes into a cold start sounds a little strange to me. How do you know the t-stat is working?
I'm as curious as you to resolve this problem.
Spoon
------------------ "Kilgore Trout once wrote a short story which was a dialogue between two pieces of yeast. They were discussing the possible purposes of life as they ate sugar and suffocated in their own excrement. Because of their limited intelligence, they never came close to guessing that they were making champagne." - Kurt Vonnegut
...all coolant i add to it seems to simply migrate to the overflow tank.
Many Fiero owners don't seem to realize that coolant goes up and down in a Fiero's "overflow" tank every time an engine warms up and cools down.
When your engine is cold, is the coolant in the "overflow" tank at the correct level? If it ever goes empty, then air gets sucked into the car's cooling system.
And did you replace the rad cap with the correct non-vented one? Information at Ogre's Cave under Radiator Caps Here.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 04-13-2019).]
See my Cave, Coolant Fill may help... But "Overheating" after a few seconds to minutes maybe a bad Radiator Caps to a "blown" head casket or crack head.
Older dukes had weak head bolts and bolt between 2 and 3 cyl on exhaust side is known to have problems or even break.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)