[ba] I guess the water pump decided to go on strike

[Michael Heth]

On Oct 16, 2010, at 7:39 PM, Brian Devlin wrote:

> I agree. It's extremely rare for a water pump to stop pumping while  
> the drive
> belt spins. Check your heater hoses - if they're getting hot then  
> the pump is
> OK.
> -Brian
>

On Oct 16, 2010, at 7:39 PM, Brian Devlin wrote:

> It could also just be your thermostat staying shut.  I think it's at  
> the
> end of the hose that goes into the block on the driver's side.  It's a
> pain because of tight space, but not as bad as the water pump.


... how do you know it isn't the thermostat?  Water pumps usually fail  
by
leaking, not by failing to pump ...

Steve Buchholz

Say Folks,

Just wanted to say Thanks for the tips as it was the thermostat after  
all. I wasn't aware the stat was at the inflow side ('cause I didn't  
look ;-( and was confused that the engine was overheating with hot  
water coming out the overflow with the bottom of the radiator still  
cool. I thought if the stat was closed the hot water couldn't get out  
at all etc.

But the little bridge that holds the pin had fractured and so it was  
not opening.

That Importec site I used for the shifter parts a while back had the  
part to me in 1 day and my son and I had another DIY episode about the  
cooling system and   checking the oil etc. So in a way these little  
snafus are providing training opportunities for the guy who thinks he  
wants to drive next year ;-).

I did find that if the car was moving (not sitting at a light) and I  
ran the heater that it would not get hot enough to boil over for about  
30 minutes and so I was able to get to the store and back for a while  
until I decided to finally sort it out. During that time the excess  
heat was going to the oil as once the oil was hot then the water temp  
would climb that last little bit.

I mention it in case that tip can help someone else down the road.

Thanks,

M./

Michael Heth
classic_coupe at serversmiths.com