overheating

TC · newbie Joined: 17 Nov 2002 Posts: 8

After 15 or so minutes on the highway my gem overheats.I have checked the hoses, thermostat and the usual stuff.Even what was said in the workshop about the wiring but its not just the gauge it really does get hot.Any help is much appreciated.thanks.

Stock TE · backyard mechanic Joined: 12 Mar 2002 Posts: 853

The passages could be blocked somewhere in the system try putting a flush through the radiator (you could even put a couple of litres of coke in the radiator)

Reddez · tinkerer Joined: 29 Oct 2002 Posts: 353

Is your radiator working??? If its the original it may just be clogged up with shit. You could flush it yourself, or get a workshop to do it... Thats my guess

Mr DOHC · tinkerer Joined: 21 Oct 2002 Posts: 217

if it aint the radiator or thermostat or hoses then it will be building up too much pressure in the head. dont be surprised if your head goes soon

2lowbluegem · tinkerer Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 101

mine overheats pretty quick, but i have an oil leak on front and back of the top of the head. radiator does get fucking hot, its been flushed out many times, but i am considiring changing the radiator to a larger one, either from torana, celica or later model commondore, an d replace the oil seals on the head.

well thats what i am doing to fix my problem, becuase everything else is fine. yes i have done a head to my gem for overheating!!!!!!!!!!

poppagem · tinkerer Joined: 29 Mar 2002 Posts: 87

ok check what thremo you have got there are three diff one,s get the lowest one you can get,also i run the end of a sock in the top inlet of my raditor,my motor has got little bit,s of shit coming out all the time ,and it block the cooling tube .....

Gold TX Sleeper · backyard mechanic Joined: 05 Feb 2002 Posts: 509

I noticed that nobody has even mentioned the water-pump. I recently went hunting for an over-heating problem in my room-mates Gem. I changed the thermostat, radiator cap, thoroughly flushed the cooling system through both the block and radiator, changed the coolant, and it only marginally got better - that is until she got on the highway, then the temp gauge soared like a mother-bitch. I decided it was time to have a look at the water pump, i pulled it off, got hold of a second hand item for $15 from the wreckers, got the gasket and gasket cement for $8 from Cheapa Auto Spares, fitted it all back up, and hit the highway. The grin on her face was priceless, the gauge actually took a while to get up to temp as the new pump was a thousand times more efficient compared to the old one, and she was used to it reading warm after 5 min's of normal driving.
So if you already haven't, give the water pump the flick and get another one.
Cheers,
Jasyn...