Okay, I'm thinking my radiator or fan clutch is bad, but it has tension(wont spin freely when stopped)... car runs warmer than normal. When I run down the road 45 mph, shouldn't the temp drop? When I run the heater on full, shouln't the temp drop? What exactly are these tests telling me? Water pump is Not leaking,but could it not be pumping like it should (upper hose is hot,upper portion of radiator is hot, middle and bottom is cool). Somebody help before I go buy a radiator, water pump, fan clutch!!$$$$$!!!
On the fan clutch, I hear the roar when first stared, but can't say for sure it kicks back in later...

TIA, Mark
--
'83 244GL 210K

It could be the "liar circuit", if you turn your headlights on or off does the gauge start moving in either direction? Mine used to over- or "underheat" if I turned the headlights on, and go back to normal when I switched them off. Very bad situation, I thought I could just keep driving it like that, then the water pump died, the temp went up for real, and I ended up with a lawn ornament.. for now, at least..


-M.R.

What are the signs that it is running warmer than normal? Many "overheating" cases are simply a bad gauge or sending unit. On my 83 the only parts of the radiator I can access to detect their temperature are the end tanks, and these won't tell you much about blocked tubes in the core. You need to get a thermocouple or something right into the fins to know for sure.

I've never heard of a gen. Volvo water pump failing to pump - yes they can develop leaks on the shaft seal. The problem then is that they are replaced with an El Cheapo with a stamped sheet metal impeller which cannot be as efficient as the Volvo die-cast hydrodynamic vanes. They have "cavitation" (engineering term for "froth and bubbles") written all over them. Also look more prone to coming apart.

Your car is getting to an age where the rad may need a professional cleanout. good news is the 240 rad is a piece of cake to pull out...half an hour your first time, and 10 minutes your second.

In my experience the Volvo t'stats are very dependable. Mine climb very slightly above "normal" after warming up, then drop back to normal, and hardly move at all after that, unless climbing a long hill in hot weather with AC going. I've only seen the heater affect the temp gauge on a VERY cold day with engine at idle.
--
Bob (81-244GL B21F, 83-244DL B23F)

I'm thinking that your T stat is getting lazy.
If temperture is being maintained when going slow or fast or blowing air across your heater core but it's hot then I would think it is your Thermostst.

Could also be a false reading...Did '83's have a compensation board?

Before thinking the worst, did you try blasting the garden hose thru the radiator? Go from the engine compartment out.
Opposite the direction the dirt would have gotten in there. see if you get a driveway full of dirt.
--
'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwr and two motorcycles: it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me

It sounds like you have a circulation problem " upper hose is hot .... middle and bottom is cool" . It coul be thermostat, but more than likely it is a restricted radiator, or, on rare occasions, worn-out water pump vaines. Take the raiator to a radiator shop to have it flow tested. If it checks out replace the water pump. In either case I would change the thermostat anyway.
G.L.
Rick.

Could be your fuel air mixture is lean enough to cause the engine to be runing hot. Why does your fan roar when cold?

Hey guy -

The temp ought to stay the same once it's hot enough to open the thermostat. Moving more air through the rad can cool things faster, but the Tstat would close a bit to maintain temperature.

When you start first in the AM, the temp gauge should rise up to 10:00 or 10:30, and then when the Tstat opens you should see the needle drop to 9:00. If it wanders about, something else is going on.

The heater water valve has its own Tstat to help it maintain blower air temperature. However you can notice a cooling down when at idle, and heating back up after the light turn green.

What's your schedule for Jones Road new Kroger? 713-416-3078


Good Luck,

Bob

:>)