over heating question

Rad fan is about 20mins to change.   If you have A/C good luck in finding an A/C rad fan as no one wants to give up one of those.   Non A/C Rad fans, I think I have a couple here, 20 bucks is probably fair. 

           As Patrick said, try grounding the sending unit and see if the fan turns on, or turn the A/C button on and see if the fan turns on.  If the fan does not fire up, as I said before, I have a couple non A/C fans kicking around. 

Oh on the subject of oil pressure, even an overheating engine should not loose so much oil pressure as to fire the warning light.   Depending on the mileage and condition of your engine, even GM released a tech bulletin that any Fiero engine over 60,000 miles (roughly 100,000kms)  should be running 10w30 instead of 5w30.  On really older engines, I run 20w50 in them.   

      Depending on how mechanically inclined you are, you can install a high volume oil pump, which will help to maintain proper oil pressure.  (Requires dropping the exhaust, starter, front motor mount, then the oil pan)      

       Not exactly, about 20mins drive east of Van.   Surrey to be exact.   We are in North Surrey and there is not much public transit over here.  I have actually never taken the bus, so I couldn't help ya on info though, I just know from a few people that have came over here on the bus and said that it is very limited. 

16908 104th Ave.

Just give me a few hours notice before you come out.  I'll check and see if I have one here at the house, but I may need to go out to the storage and grab one, or if you want, you can ride out to the storage with me and see if there is anything else you need.  

jkehoe67 wrote: hey there, my cars been acting right funny, it was over heating and ive replaced the thermostat... and if i drove it longer the engine would heat right up to the point the coolant would be boiling in the tank any suggestions, im thinking the fan isnt turning on?

I just want to add that in a properly functioning Fiero cooling system, the rad fan will NOT usually come on at all unless it's a very hot day and the car is in stop and go traffic for an extended period of time.

Keep in mind that in a stock setup from the factory, the Fiero rad fan doesn't come on until 230 F which is pretty hot considering the stock thermostat is is 195 F.

I wonder if your Fiero has other issues such as air in the cooling system (have you "burped" it properly?), partially crushed (blocked) cooling pipes (along the bottom sides of the car), or a water pump with a slipping impeller.

jkehoe67 wrote: canadian tire said it was a burnt out fan, but they want like $250 to fix it...

I wouldn't let "mechanics" at Canadian Tire lube the chain on my bicycle.

jkehoe67 wrote: well my coolant was boiling and no fan lol

Is/was your coolant a proper 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water or just straight water?

...and, do you have the proper rad cap installed?

Both straight water and lack of proper cooling system pressure would/could result in "boiling" coolant at a lower temperature than normal. (At atmospheric pressure, water will boil at 212 F.)

Patrick wrote: Keep in mind that in a stock setup from the factory, the Fiero rad fan doesn't come on until 230 F...

Capt Fiero wrote: Antifreeze is a HORRID coolant.  The heat transfer of antifreeze is really bad.  The only reason to use it at all is to increase the boiling point and decrease the freezing point of water.   So only use as much as you NEED for your climate.  Which around here is roughly 20% NOT 50%.

There are also rust inhibitors and water pump lubricants in antifreeze.

Just don't forget though if you plan on visiting a colder location sometime during the winter (or if there's a freak cold spell here) that your protection will be somewhat limited. All it takes is ONE cold night. Ask me how I know....

Found a good article on antifreeze and cooling systems Here. It even includes some info on checking coolant condition by using a voltmeter!

Dave, I agree that using a lower percentage of antifreeze than 50/50 will allow a cooling system to run a bit more efficiently when it's hot, but I just wanted anyone reading this thread to be aware that there are indeed tradeoffs, the big one being that their car isn't as well protected under frigid conditions.