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I just purchased a 156K mile 1987 245 that looked nice and ran pretty well for its age. The trouble started when I got home from the return purchase trip (100+ miles). I noticed the expansion tank was out of fluid so I put coolant in to the line and drove it the next day. It was out again so this time I let the car warm-up with the fluid topped off and it began to bubble over. The car never got hot according to the gauge and as I drove it more the temp gauge needle went down. I have been topping off the tank after each drive thinking it was some air bubbles or something but I am afraid to run the coolant out. The lower hose has fluid in it and the upper has some as I squeeze the hose. When I open the expansion tank I get lots of air released. The engine is oily but the water pump is clean and the hoses look clean and are soft. Question could the thermostat be put in backwards? I know they can go upside down and that causes air bubbles but this issue is new to me. The common issue with a thermostat being installed wrong is over heating but I have never got much above the halfway point. I know the gauge is not accurate (not in my Land Rover either) but if it gets hot it normally shoots to the top. The car also takes forever to warm up maybe 15 minutes on the highway to put out heat. Something is wrong with the cooling I’m just not sure where to start and what to look at first. UPDATE! After much checking today it looks like the thermostat is opening and I have now noticed some coolant in the oil so I'm thinking head gasket. I would like some feedback on the NEW Bars Head gasket Fix product as it seams to be working for others on the web. Any real world usage here in a Brick? Posted in the "Toolbox" forum as well! Many thanks in advance.
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1987 245 my commuter and 2003 XC70 wifes car