90 Sunbird running cold

[john.0_o]

New to the group and new Sunbird owner as of today.

The car is a 1990 Sunbird with a 2.0 and manual transmission.The problem I'm having is the car is running cold.
The previous owner had rigged the fan up to be always on when the ignition is on,like that the temp gauge wouldn't move at all.I disconnected the fan and the engine will slightly warm up if parked and left idling for a good bit of time,but after driving for maybe a minute or less the gauge goes down almost all the way and stays there.

Outside air temp is around 50.Also the heater doesn't seem to work well at all,it blows just barely luke warm.

 

[melsg5]

sounds like the thermostat is either missing or stuck open

 

[john.0_o]

sounds like the thermostat is either missing or stuck open

I was thinking that might be the case.It wouldn't surprise me if they removed it when they rigged the fan.I'll try and take a look and see if there is one in there tomorrow or if the one in it is functioning properly.

 

[john.0_o]

Well there is no thermostat in the vehicle and it turns out the rad is cracked.I ordered the parts and will see what happens once they are installed.

On a side note,I know I should have looked harder at things when looking at this car but there is no way this guy did not know that the rad was leaking.
What a dick thing to do.There is absolutely no way I would do that to somebody.

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[92 Sunbird LE]

Welcome to the forum.


Dont feel bad ,I run my car with no stat and fan on all the time.

But then of course its warm here year round. I just let it idle a while till it warms up.

You dont want to overheat these 2.O OHC's or you will crack or warp the head or blow the head gasket.

The computer controls when the fan comes on from feedback from the temp sensor. Its either the sensor, relay , wiring or the computor that goes bad.

Most people just wire it to stay on all the time to make sure its working. Working all the time good , Piece of mind ...Priceless!

Welcome aboard........Doug in P.R.

 

[john.0_o]

Well I disconnected the hard wire to the fan,installed a new radiator and put in a thermostat.The engine is now operating properly and heating up and cooling as it should.

The problem with the heat not working was with the cable connected to the temperature slider,easy fix.

 

[92 Sunbird LE]

John, glad you got it cooling/heating right...............

Doug in P.R.

 

[john.0_o]

Thanks.

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[TrojanMan]

My ragtop's heater don't get hot enough for a ragtop. Post Radiator water ain't hot enough. Gonna re-plumb that at some point.