My Temp gauge is not working so i cant tell how hot the engine is getting. I checked water flow coming from the top hose seems find but when i removed the hose i dont see a thermostat. Was this removed or does it need it? I forgot to mention the radiator has been replaced seems not to long ago.
X2 on the stat, remember devoted if your running an auto trans and its plumbed into the rad, if the engine is getting hot so is the tranny. Thermostat, and then try and diagnose your temp gauge problem. If its electrical, it can be the sender, gauge or wiring. Mechanical gauge, the gauge or the capilary line could be bad.
You shouldn't need it in moderate weather at low engine speeds. It can slow down the flow if water is going through the radiator too fast to cool. Did you just get this car? If so, the previous owner might have had an overheating problem and removed the stat to try to cure it. To cool, you need good water and air flow through the radiator. I'd get some type of temperature gauge or thermometer to see how hot it gets.
How hot is the weather? No thermostat, a new radiator and a temp gauge that doesn't work says unsolved cooling problem to me. You might want to find someone that has the chemical test for compression gases in the coolant.
Get a gauge or an infrared temp gun to tell you what temp you have. Is it boiling over? Without something to accurately tell hot it is you are just guessing. You can't fix a problem by just guessing. If you were not getting steam from the opening then it is probably NOT overheating.
Without a temp gauge you don't know what the temp is. Unless it is boiling over. Old engine, the vanes could be rusted off the water pump. Maybe water jacket full of rust??
I got to fix that temp gauge problem the weather today is 97°F. I dont have any info if previous owner might have had an overheating problem. I guess it wont hurt to add a thermostat.
Putting a thermostat in won't hurt anything. A non contact infra-red thermometer is very useful and are under $75. Then you can check temperatures at different places on the system and also check exhaust temperatures, bearing temps, etc.
If it boiled over it hit 212. That is too hot for that car. Check the cooling system for poor circulation. I ran many of those engines without a thermostat and no pressure in the system. They shouldnt boil even in 97 degree weather.
**Update** i went ahead changed the fan i had a clutch fan laying around so went ahead and changed it Wow!! what a deference i checked the temp with a Temp gauge and for the most part it stays around 180.. i'll probably add a flex fan later either way it seemed the original fan was to small for the radiator. I also added a thermostat this inline is doing good.. Thanks!
If you are using coolant and no recovery bottle,the full level is just above the core,not to the top of the rad.If filling to top when the coolant heats up and expands it will go out the overflow and you will think it is overheating.
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