1984 Pontiac Fiero cooling system

1984 PONTIAC FIERO
70 MILES • 3.5L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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BAYWOLF57
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Put a new water pump in the car and also put in a four core radiator and it is still over heating within a matter of 5 min. What can I do now ? Is there anything else I can do more at this point . Is the radiator I put in to small or should I go with a radiator out of a big block ?
Jan 11, 2014 at 11:13 AM
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CARADIODOC
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You listed a 3.5L engine which was never available in a Fiero. Are you doing some kind of transplant or do you have the standard 2.5L?

How are you determining the engine is overheating? Engines don't typically get hot fast enough to overheat in just five minutes. Are you seeing bubbling in the coolant reservoir? That is more likely a sign of a leaking cylinder head gasket. The clue is there won't be any steam associated with that bubbling.

If the coolant really is getting too hot so quickly, an inoperative radiator fan is the most likely suspect. The size of the original radiator is sufficient. Going to a bigger one doesn't address the cause of overheating. Feel the radiator hoses. If they are cool, the coolant isn't flowing to the radiator to give up its heat.
Jan 11, 2014 at 3:58 PM