GTSilver944

So, my '84 NA was running way too warm today. I switched out the thermostat maybe a month ago. I've only driven the car a few times since then, however, the cooling fans are now always on once the car has warmed up. Before today, it has kept the temp at the 1st bar. It was almost up to the third bar today, which shouldn't be happening. I have a low temp thermostat and fan switch. Coolant has been properly bled.

I replaced the t-stat while replacing the water pump seal and fixing some coolant hose leaks. I thought that these leaks occurred because I might not have tightened things down enough after re-installing the engine. Would it be possible that the radiator is clogged? I felt both the bottom and top hose for the rad and they really similar in temp. This would cause cooling problems and leaks due to higher than ideal pressure, correct? Maybe while removing/installing the rad during the engine rebuild I mobilized some gunk by moving it around...

Ideas?

randyvitaha

I had this problem before on my Turbo, my gauge would show hot and fluctuate a little almost into the red, cooling fans always running of course. There is a ground wire on the top of the bell housing if it is not tight it will cause your gauge to read inaccurately and the car is actually cooling properly.......Check your radiator/surge tank cap as well!

GTSilver944

New cap and 50/50 VW/Audi pink stuff. All engine grounds were cleaned up while rebuilding the engine. I don't think it's the gauge, engine felt hotter than usual.

GTSilver944

Bump. Does this sound like a gunked up rad? Any ideas about the constant fans? Guess I'll order a new rad this week...

Calmchaos

Does your heater give you good heat?

GTSilver944

Heater works normally. Heater control valve isn't leaking.

Calmchaos

Well, I was wondering if you had a bunch of air in the system. When you have a lot of air in the cooling system it's hard to get cabin heat.

smokin_944

If both the low temp t-stat and thermal switch work @ spec, the car should run at 80-82 degrees in 20 C weather providing the rad is good. Some consider this running cold. Are you sure the fans are coming on at the right time?

GTSilver944

Fans are coming on at the right time. I'm not sure if it's not going off at the right time or if it's simply never reaching a low enough temp to turn off. New rad is on the way. The low temp t-stat/thermofan isn't the best for Denver, but it works really well when I'm in TN.