Chrysler Repair: 89 New Yorker overheating rapidly after start up, water pump impeller, head gasket leak

Question
Hello,

My 89 New Yorker is overheating after it has been running a few minutes. It shoots way up. Not gradually. The hoses seem fine - no kinks. I changed the thermostat and the fan is working. I don't get much heat from the heater after I changed the thermostat but I think I did before I changed it. I don't know where the water pump is but I haven't seen any leaks underneath or heard any whining noises. When it is idling after it is has started to overheat (after I park it) and I take off the radiator cap, I don't see and "gurgling" in the radiator fluid. Is there anything else I can do before taking it to a rad shop? Is the water pump tricky to get at (behind timing belt?)

Thanks,

Larry

Answer
Hi Larry,
You didn't mention whether you have the 2.5L 4 cyl or the 3.0L V-6, but because you said the water pump is behind the timing belt I'll assume you have the V-6.
Are you loosing any fluid, particularly as steam out the tail pipe when you first start the engine? That would mean a head gasket leak. Do you hear any bubbling when the engine is idling and the temp is shooting up?  Is the oil in the crankcase cloudy? Those would also indicate a head gasket leak.
The water pump impeller may be loose or ineffective at pumping the coolant around. You are correct that it is necessary to remove the timing belt to reach it, so unless your belt is pushing 100k miles I wouldn't change the pump unless you found everything else was o.k.
Do the radiator manifolds on each side warm up, or just on one side, which would suggest the radiator is plugged up?
There is a description of how to change the belt and the pump at:
www.allpar.com/fix/3liter-timing-belts.html
If you have the 2.5L then the possibility is for there being air in the thermostat housing. So write me about that.
Roland