84 j2000 1.8 overheating

[Mattskees09]

I recently bought an 84 sunfire with the 1.8 and its got an overheating issue. It overheats after 10 minutes at idle. I changed the thermostat but that wasn't it. I'm thinking the water pump now, but it's not making the noises I've heard water pumps make when they go, so i'm not sure. It was very low on oil, i'm hoping it's as easy as that. Anybody have any suggestions?
I'm new to the sunbird owners club lol

 

[92 Sunbird LE]

Does your electric fan come on? The computer tells the fan when to come on and this is a problem on these cars,

Most just wire a switch to turn it on, but check your relay for the fan first to see if that is a problem.

Doug in P.R.

 

[Mattskees09]

Does your electric fan come on? The computer tells the fan when to come on and this is a problem on these cars,

Most just wire a switch to turn it on, but check your relay for the fan first to see if that is a problem.

Doug in P.R.

Omg you might have it in one!!! I got it past 200 on the gauge and the fan hasn't moved, I didn't even think to check that
I'll wire it up and see if that is the trick.
I really appreciate the help!!! I cannot wait to get this thing running lol

 

[92 Sunbird LE]

I wired a l.e.d. to the dash in my conversion so I know the fan is running, good to have if the switch goes bad or a fuse pops.

Doug in P.R.

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[Mattskees09]

Does your electric fan come on? The computer tells the fan when to come on and this is a problem on these cars,

Most just wire a switch to turn it on, but check your relay for the fan first to see if that is a problem.

Doug in P.R.

Quick update, even though the fan wasn't on(I think you were 100% right about the relay), the radiator itself was cool to the touch even though the engine was 220. Would that indicate the water pump wasn't actually moving any coolant through the radiator?

 

[Mattskees09]

I wired a l.e.d. to the dash in my conversion so I know the fan is running, good to have if the switch goes bad or a fuse pops.

Doug in P.R.

I absolutely love that idea!!! The dash already reminds me of an older airplane cockpit, a fan indicator light would look perfect. on top of actually being super useful!

 

[Mattskees09]

I wired a l.e.d. to the dash in my conversion so I know the fan is running, good to have if the switch goes bad or a fuse pops.

Doug in P.R.

So this might be a dumb question, but for your fan re-wire did you just wire from the battery directly with a switch in the dash? And the led of course

Honestly I really do appreciate all your help! I didn't realize how little on the car is out there on the internet, and getting this up and going has been a really fun project so far.

 

[92 Sunbird LE]

No, power off the fuse box - (battery terminal )inside the car to the switch ( heavy duty- lots of amps) , then a led, then a power lock circuit breaker, ,then to the fans power wire.

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[92 Sunbird LE]

 

[92 Sunbird LE]

Crude drawing.....