88 problems
 

Hey i was driving along the highway today and the temp guage was reading hot and and started climbing and hit the top and wodulnt go down if i wasnt driving even when i was driving it would still go above half way.

I just got it because my 83 got in a crash (dam SUV's think they can do what ever they want) and the guy i bought it from said the radiator needed to be cleaned, how do i do that ?:-S

I'm not sure if it is that im low on fluids i didnt have a chance to check it its to dark out. if i could get some help that would be great :)

Try to check the fluid levels while the engine is cold. Make sure your overflow tank is at least half full. Then make sure your fan belt is tight and that the fan clutch is working. You should really hear it, (the fan) when you first start the engine and after a minute or so it should quieten down to almost no sound but it should still be turning. The other thing to check is the thermostat. You can go through the trouble of boiling water and dropping it in to see if it opens like it should or just replace it anyway.

The temp sensor could be giving a false reading too, but with the engine up to running temp, get out and open the hood and listen for any boiling sounds from the hoses, if there is then your are overheating. You can get the radiator cleaned at any radiator shop and that is better than running a flush through the radiator.

There are several things to check also but take the radiator out and get it checked out and make sure the cap is new too. These cars can be finicky and are prone to blowing head gaskets, which is another cause for overheating or a result of overheating. Filling the water all the way requires the front of the radiator to be higher than the heater core, so a good hill or better to just jack it up. Fill and let it bubble, repeat and rinse sort of deal till all the bubbling stops. It really is easiest to fill the cooling system without the thermostat in it, but you have to top it offa bit when you put it back in, just make sure the car is still up on the jack or a hill.

Good luck

Russ