It's been a few days...I still can't figure out what's going wrong, so I've
ordered a new water pump, hoping that that's the problem. I have no record
of the water pump ever being replaced, so at 291,000kms (180,000 miles), a
new one is not a bad idea anyhow  :)
Belt's not slipping, but I put a new one on anyway. I also removed the
thermostat, and it's opening fine in boiling water...
Once my knuckles recover from the pump replacement, I'll report more...

Tom

On Thu, Aug 14, 2008 at 1:09 PM, gary hradek <hradek@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Tom,
>   Might it be something as simple as the belt slipping?
> What was the nature of the leak and what did you top off with as coolant?
>     gary
>
> From: "Tom Rowsell" <86westy@GEOEXPLOITS.ORG>
> >> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> >> Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 11:37 PM
> >> Subject: Overheating at idle
> >>
> >>
> >>> My '86 recently began overheating but only at idle...drive all day on
> the
> >>> highway and it's fine, but stop and idle for a few minutes, and the
> >>> temperature climbs. Rev the engine and the temp returns to normal. Even
> >>> after a 15 minute drive: stop and idle, and it'll get hot.
> >>> I recently had a leak, so it might be an air lock problem ? I'm
> thinking
> >>> the
> >>> water pump or the thermostat. It's not the fan since the radiator never
> >>> seems to get hot enough to kick that on. I guess tomorrow's job is pull
> >>> the
> >>> thermostat and check it? There are no unusual noises from the water
> >>> pump...
> >>> As usual, all advice and critiques appreciated  :)
> >>>
> >>> Thanks
> >>> Tom
>
>
>
>
>