1976 Dart Overheating and other issues
I checked to see if thermostat is opening. Fired up the car with the radiator cap open and eventually watched water flow. Let the car idle for 45 minutes with cap off and had consistent flow with the fluid.
The car stayed at the first indicator just above 120. I deduce from this that she’ll idle all day and never run hot. But the moment I go drive within 20 miles at 50mph she slowly makes her way to the upper peg, prior to 250. I have to shut it down at that point and wait about an hour for things to cool . Drive back home.
So if the radiator has fluid, thermostat confirms it’s opening, could I have a water pump issue? I have no coolant leaks under the car. No blockage in front of the radiator. Fan appears to be turning and pushing air well (it’s not backwards). Fan has no play in it with engine off. Here’s a picture of the radiator. It’s discolored by I don’t see any fins being very bent.
I checked to see if thermostat is opening. Fired up the car with the radiator cap open and eventually watched water flow. Let the car idle for 45 minutes with cap off and had consistent flow with the fluid.
The car stayed at the first indicator just above 120. I deduce from this that she’ll idle all day and never run hot. But the moment I go drive within 20 miles at 50mph she slowly makes her way to the upper peg, prior to 250. I have to shut it down at that point and wait about an hour for things to cool . Drive back home.
So if the radiator has fluid, thermostat confirms it’s opening, could I have a water pump issue? I have no coolant leaks under the car. No blockage in front of the radiator. Fan appears to be turning and pushing air well (it’s not backwards). Fan has no play in it with engine off. Here’s a picture of the radiator. It’s discolored by I don’t see any fins being very bent.
