In my 1986 GXL, I have never seen the temp. guage inside the car go above half. Last night, I noticed it was right up at "H", so I pulled over and shut off the car. When I popped the hood to see if it was actually overheating, the engine didn't seem to be emitting more heat than it ever has, but I did notice that the coolant overflow bin was over the full line, and just a day ago it was almost at the empty line. I could hear the gurgling of coolant too, and there wasn't any leaking anywhere.

I drove the car today, and the temp. immediately shoots right past half, and stays at about 3/4 while driving. If I drive hard or put the car at high revs for about 10 seconds, the temp. guage goes back up to hot.

Is this just a thermostat problem, or could there be a larger [and worse-er] issue here? Maybe my water pump is dead??? Please tell me what you think the problem might be. I'm not going to drive the car until I figure out what's going wrong with it.

 

If it will help, I agree with dthoan. Once in the long ago past my 82 was running hot and I determined that the fan clutch was kaput. I think this was determined by how I noticed when the engine was reved the amount of air from the fan virtualy did not change in volume, velocity whatever. Then again it could be another thing.EDIT... This is written the next day...on second thought its probably not the fan. If I remember right when my fan clutch went out the car was basically ok at speed, just overtemped at idle and slow speeds. Go for the thermostat. I'd just pull it out a put the car back together and go for a ride. If the car gets better, get a new thermostat. If not its something else.That way you have not spent three bucks for a part you do not need.

 

The thermostat was stuck closed. The water was getting too hot, and it wasn't moving the coolant around correctly. Problem solved, the thermostat was replaced this morning and now the car drives perfectly. Thanks for everyones help!!!!