Waterpump/headgasket diagnosis, '84 Spider...

[JeffreyOlson@domain.elided]

Hmmm,

I stupidly bought a POS '84 Spider(CHEAP!) to bring back to life.  Finally got 
the engine started and the car runs very well EXCEPT it seems I may have a bad 
waterpump.  Hope it's not the head gasket!

Unfortunately the temperature guage is frozen in the middle of the scale.  How 
to fix?  I tried grounding the temperature sender but it has no effect on the 
guage.  Doubt the problem is the sending unit.  The oil pressure guage also 
stays on 'zero' but I believe the sending unit is probably bad.

When I open the bleed valve on top of the throttle body, I get almost NO flow 
through the heater circuit.  Seems to run hot and will eventually vent coolant 
into the overflow reservoir.  The water pump does not leak and seems to rotate 
smoothly.  I blew all the hoses through with compressed air and there are no 
obvious obstructions.  Radiator is in good shape.

There are no leaks in the system, holds pressure, no unusual noises, really 
good even compression on all cylinders, no water in the exhaust or smell of 
burning coolant, no oil in the coolant, no coolant in the oil.

Any chance the impeller on the waterpump is slipping on the shaft?  Just does 
not seem to be much coolant circulation.  

YES, I have flushed and bled the system several times.  YES, I've checked, and 
even REMOVED, the thermostat.

Just don't seem to have the usual symptoms of a blown head gasket?

Any ideas, comments, etc.?

Thanks!

Jeff

'78 Spider
'84 Spider
'88 BMW 535is
'91 BMW 535i
Maybe a Ducati soon?
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