93 - overheating aclaim....advice please...

[reatta90riviera]

I have this 93 or 92 plymouth aclaim. I got it from a friend of the family. It's a great every day car.

Only one problem with it, it overheats. The car runs well, spark plugs, spark wires, and theromstat was all recently replaced. There was warm air blowing in from the heating vents, but after we replaced the thermostat, it blew cold air. I have some ideas what it could be, but I would like some help narrowing it down.

Any advice would be greatly apperchated, thanks.

[ted sweet]

sounds like a bad head gasket.

[reatta90riviera]

That's what I was afraid of...I haven't had to work on that part of the engine before. I might just get a shop do it for me. I would like to get it going for my sister. Thanks.

[ted sweet]

unlell the car is real nice it way not be worth paying to get it fixed, will be several hundred dollars.

[Rusty_OToole]

After you change the thermostat you will have to top up the rad a couple of times. If you just filled it and put the cap on without starting the engine it may be very low on coolant. This would explain the overheating and also the heater not working.

With the engine cold, take off the cap and fill the rad. Start the engine and let it run until the thermostat opens. You will know it as the upper rad hose will get warm to the touch. Keep topping up the rad until the thermostat opens then put the cap on. Be sure there is coolant in the overflow jug. Keep an eye on it for the next few days as the rad will suck up a little more coolant. But it should stabilise after a few days.

If not you could have a problem. If you suspect a blown head gasket take out the spark plugs. If 1 or 2 plugs looks perfectly clean, you have a problem. The coolant will steam clean the deposits out of the combustion chamber. 2 clean plugs means the gasket is blown between those 2 cylinders.

We used to fix them by the "lift -n- slide" method. You can remove the head bolts, lift the head a fraction of an inch and slide in a new gasket. Usually you get away with it. At least it saves a lot of time compared to taking the head completely off.

[reatta90riviera]

Thank you so much...I will use you informatoin to work on it a little more...Thank You!! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest windjamer]

Rusty gave you good advice,never remove rad. cap when hot. Also look to see if you have a bleader screw at or near t/stat hsg. You may ned to blead system. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[reatta90riviera]

<img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I am going to be returning this car, I am getting a more relable car with the money I get back from this one. I will be getting a 88' Pontiac Fireo. I have been dreaming of getting this Fireo for the longest time. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> It is a black Fireo and has a little work that I will be doing to her. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> She's going to be one sweet car when I get done. I figured it would be more worth my while to just return the Aclaim and get my Fireo. Thank you all for you advice, I would have loved to fix up my little Aclaim, but it's not something that would be rewarding for my time and effort. Thank you all, have a great one! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[ted sweet]

reliable and fiero cant be used in the same sentence.

[reatta90riviera]

I wouldn't say that, I know these cars. I have friends who work on them, as well as own them. I know that the Fiero that I will be getting is more relaible than the Aclaim that I have. I know how to take care of the Fiero, and the Aclaim I have no clue. I would rather work on the car myself and with friends than have some mechanic that is going to charge me a arm and a leg. Since I have only had problems with my Aclaim since I have purchased it, so I am returning it to the pervous owner.