OVERHEATING IN THE COLD

Sounds like you have air in the cooling system.

radiator replacement, fans

reset what if have a code check into it --then start check list of possible problems -------leak--radiator --water pump--fan--hoses--thermostat--engine damage --head gasket

the thermostat opens and closes to allow the coolant to flow in when it's supposed to and out to cool the engine and keep the engine temperature steady. The part is there for a reason and purpose. I would replace it before you have an issue.

For car running hot and overheating issues, I suggest to you go through this help links. Click this link below and go through the troubleshooting procedure to take care of the problems: ----Car runs hot? http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-runs-hot-in-traffic.html
-----------All types of car overheating problems and troubleshooting?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2011/11/all-types-of-car-overheating-problems.html
Car freeze overnight and started overheating while driving?http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-freeze-overnight-and-started.html-----------Engine Overheats and heater blowing cold?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/engine-overheats-and-heater-blowing.html

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Car overheats and Air blows hot at idle?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-overheats-and-air-blows-hot-at-idle.html
--------overheating? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-century-overheating.html
----------Car engine Overheats and transmission starts slipping?http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-engine-overheats-and-transmission.html
----------This details will help.Thanks.

To troubleshoot this types of problem,click the link below :----http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/02/heater-blows-only-from-defrost.html
--------Go through the procedure to confirm the issue.

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Engine Overheats and heater blowing cold?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/engine-overheats-and-heater-blowing.html

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Heat blows cold on drivers side and hot on passenger side?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/heat-blows-cold-on-drivers-side-and-hot.html

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For car running hot and overheating issues, I suggest to you go through this help links. Click this link below and go through the troubleshooting procedure to take care of the problems: ----Car runs hot? http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-runs-hot-in-traffic.html
-----------All types of car overheating problems and troubleshooting?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2011/11/all-types-of-car-overheating-problems.html
Car freeze overnight and started overheating while driving?http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-freeze-overnight-and-started.html-----------Engine Overheats and heater blowing cold?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/engine-overheats-and-heater-blowing.html

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Car overheats and Air blows hot at idle?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-overheats-and-air-blows-hot-at-idle.html
--------overheating? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-century-overheating.html
----------Car engine Overheats and transmission starts slipping?http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-engine-overheats-and-transmission.html
----------This details will help.Thanks.

l could suggest you to check your engine thermostat if is working. if it is found defective,replace. some say, yes, could be the head gasket. it causes also of overheating. but smoke you notice at the tail end, could be you have broken valve seal and eats up the oil. this another problem makes the engine's overheating. the 25 old old engine really need an overhaul.

Overheating can be caused by:

• Cracked cylinder head or damaged head gasket: a common problem if the engine overheated and cold water was added. You can check by carefully removing the radiator cap while the engine is cold and not ruunig, start the engine and if the water in the radiator as seen in the radiator cap hole 'bubbles' violently or you see milky/oily floaters, then this is most likely the issue - water continuously blowing out of the exhaust, after the engine has warmed up of course, is also a sign.
• Engine timing can also cause overheating: is the engine runnig smoothly
  
• Lean fuel mixture can also cause overheating: does the engine detonate?

Hope those tips can help! let me know how you go.

If the top hose is hot and the bottom is cold, your definitely not getting circulation. You,ve already done alot of work to this vehicle so you have pretty much answered your own question. About the only thing left is the heater core. Of course, I dont want to be the one to tell you it is definitely the heater core because obviously I am not looking at the vehicle. But If i was a betting man, thats where my money would be.

Do a cylinder leak down test. Hook up a airline to each spark plug hole. Bring each cyclinder to tdc and listen for air leak. Possibly in the radiator. You can also reverse the process by doing a radiator leak down test. If you hear bubbling in the radiator bad head gasket. Remove and replace head gasket.