After replacing my water pump ($30.00), my radiator ($120.00) my temp sender ($15.00) and thermostat ($15.00), my trusty Rocco was still "overheating". I put it in quotes because I finally broke down and hooked up a cheap ($13.00) Autometer temp guage. The car, according to THIS guage, says that it's running between 100 and 110 celsius at all times. The fan kicks in at about 110, drops it to just below 100, climbs back up predictably.

So, $180.00 spent pointlessly, shown up by a thirteen dollar part. I should have had more faith that there was nothing wrong with the cooling system.

 

On the other hand, it gave me an excuse to do this:



and since I had to test drive it, took it to that NorPac GTG in Kirkland and did this when I got home:


Milwaukee heat gun = black bumpers. Anyone else ever try this?