Hey guys, it seems that if it isn't one thing it's another. Am I right? haha

So I think that my water pump has gone/is going bad.

Evidence:
1.) Coolant overflow fills and overflows, and coolant doesn't make it back to radiator (as in, the radiator is empty(ing), while the overflow is filled and gushing.)
2.) Car runs hotter, especially when not moving.
3.) I don't know if it's related or not, but I had the vent/heat on today and I was getting a strange whirring noise, which would go away when the vent/heat was turned off. It was definitely new, and developed in a matter of minutes.
4.) For a long period of time after the car is shut off, a small amount of smoke/steam/vapor comes from the radiator area...I can't tell exactly where...

Any help is appreciated!

P.S. I was definitely getting some weird smell too...I don't know how to describe it exactly, I'd say it's got a fish-type smell. Not what I expect coolant burning to smell like...

 

your heater core may be clogged.the radiator should pull in more coolant from the overflow tank, check your hoses to make sure there isnt a leak

 

Went out this morning and did some checking. The only place that coolant 'leaks' from is the overflow, hoses were all good.

Does the coolant enter the radiator on the passenger side, or driver side (after circulating through the engine...not the flll. :P )?

 

Then it's doesn't sound like your water pump. Sounds like a thermostat problem.

 

Early reports suggest that LT1RUNNER is right.

I had a new thermostat put in a few weeks ago, and by mistake a 195* thermostat was put in (I didn't do it, condone it, suggest it, or think to ask about it). So hopefully now with the new-new 180* thermo, this problem will be fixed! :P

 

i thought 195 was the stock ones ? either way 180 should work out better for you

 

Nope. 180 stock, but a lot of people go to 160 (You probably know that though. haha).

If I'd have known it was the thermostat for sure, I'd have told them to put a 160 in. :P

 

yeah i put a 160 in last summer and had the computer tuned at the same time and its great

 

Really? Or is that sarcasm? I can't tell, sorry Alih.

You've got a...mildly built lt1 ( :P ), would you suggest I get a 160 after/during my H/C/I saga?

 

well you can put one in whenever you want, but when you do get the h/c/i installed and get the computer tuned you can get the fans to turn on at 160 also to go with the thermostat