KADE Overheating??? So confusing, help!

[KAed 240]

Okay this is about to make me go back to a Honda...

Back in November I had a overheating problem when I first bought the car, the guy I bought it from had already replaced the cooling system when I got it. (Radiator, water pump, hoses, etc.) Well it overheated and warped the head, so the guy forked over $1000 towards another engine.

Well now it's April and I've had the "new" KA in for about 5500 miles and now it's overheating again, the needle moves almost sporadically up and down when going up or down hills. It takes in coolant like crazy but I've tested for leaks by parking over cardboard and cant find any drops?

I'm burping it as soon as I type this to see if there is an air bubble or something, but I doubt that's the problem.

Within a week or so I will be getting insurance money to pay for a wreck and plan on buying a shell and swap this motor into it, but I really don't want to swap anything that's causing this much trouble into a new car.

Can ANYBODY tell me ANYTHING about wtf is going on? Please.

Thanks,
-Bryan

[allenms240]

You never mentioned thermostat?
Maybe the clutch fan isn't properly working?
Does it overheat at idle? Or only when pushed? Or just casually driving?
Are you SURE its overheating? You got out and heard the overflow tank boiling?

My 1st 240 overheated at idle, so i put in a electric fans and wired it to a switch that I used whenever I ran the car.
After I replaced thermostat/water pump, my motor was randomly overheating, whether i was casually driving or spirited driving, I forgot to bleed the system, so I did that immediately and it fixed the problem.
When I first swapped the motor, when I floored the pedal, by temp gauge would go everywhere (not wired correctly i think) but it fixed itself I guess.
Just throwing some options at you.

[KAed 240]

The thermostat was replaced as well as the fan clutch.
It only overheats while being pushed and yes you can hear is boiling.

When I was burping the system my brother tested for condensation out of the tailpipe and sure enough, I've got a head gasket leak. Looks like the cars down for a while..

Thanks for all the advice!
-Bryan

[Chainsmokerjoe14]

well, maybe you guys can help me, like i cant tell my engine is running hot, because the stock thermostat is like 170 i believe. but my engine when i get home is running over 200 degree's and i dunno what to do, at all. the engine and transmission have 114k when i bought car. the car itself has 163k, it has a new water pump. i believe the thermo is new. i am waiting on reply for previous owner, but the thing is, the temp gauge in dash always shows in the middle, even when i let it sit overnight. so i cannot tell what the issue is. any help would be greatly appriciated. because i do not wanna blow the engine after just buying it...

[Brent.S14]

Well, start by replacing your temperature gauge sensor located infront of the motor, and see if your gauge starts working properly then. Then check to see if the thermostat was put in CORRECTLY, the jiggle valve (Small hole on thermostat) needs to be on the top when being installed. Also check and see if your fans are working correctly. And bleed the system as well. If none of that works, check for signs of a blown head gasket.

[Chainsmokerjoe14]

what are signs of one? like it runs great. sept the gl-5 previous owner put in transmission >< btw off topic, anyplaces besides redline for gl-4? but i bled the system seems too be working alot better, ima check thermo 2morro, because it is cold tonight, but its hella colder now. seems to be running at about 30 cooler now, but it is 31 outside and norm it abt 75. so idk ima test it again tomorrow and go get a new thermo, i do have a nismo one for a z31 if that will fit i may throw that in..