My 89' RS 2.8L heats up for Everything, i'm running a 180 Thermostat(working), put a new radiator(working), flushed the engine, changed the cap, it has enough coolant, and the water pump is working cause i let the top radiator hose open and when the thermo opened all the coolant came out(don't worry it's back on) HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11[:@]

 

Head gasket?Thats all I can think of.Except plugged heater core or major air in the system

 

heater core is fine i just checked it, head gasket?? explain a little more on that, the fan seems to turn on really late you think that would have an affect?

 

Yes.YOu can get kits to turn on your fan earlier.If it was the headgasket,You would be smoking pure white or leaking coolant.And or the oil would be muddy.Couple different ways it can go.How did you check the heater core?Just cause you have heat doesnt mean it isnt clogged

 

oh i didn't know about that, how can i unclog it???

 

just so you know the fan comes on at 210 that is the COMPUTER set temp the only way to chang is to replace the chip in the computer also if your air vent into your rad is cloged you will heat up fast since u need the air to cool the radiator.

 

have you checked your coolant sensor?

 

My car is a different gen but it heats up just the same. I think its the fan. I live down south too and its hot and the only way to keep my car cool is to turn the AC on lol Because that keeps the fan on aslong as thats on. And that keeps it at the quater mark I believe thats 185. Luckiez76 you said the computer sets the temp for the fan to turn on is there any other way to change it like say a fan switch?

 

You can add a swithch and manually control the fan relay. The fan comes on automatically around 215 degree. Check when the engine is really hot & see if the fan comes on. If the fan comes on & the temp does not drop, and you are sure the cooling system is in good shape, it is time to bite the bullet and pull the heads. Also make sure you have a 50/50 water anti freeze mix, otherwise when you pull the radiator cap, the coolant will instanly go to the boiling point and puke out of the radiator. However, before you get too carried away, go to a good radiator shop and have the coolant tested for the presence of combustion gases.