1986 Pontiac Firebird Overheating

1986 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
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PINKYTINKY
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  • 1 POST
I have a 1986 Pontiac Firebird with a V8. When I was driving down the road, my car suddenly would not accelerate above 20 mph. I couldn't figure out why, but I pulled over and noticed that it was totally overheated. I had no choice but to drive it home. Less than half a mile. The more I pushed the gas, the hotter it got.

I have no idea what happened to the car, and therefore have no clue as to what is wrong with it. I cranked it yesterday and moved it, in reverse, about 3 feet. I have not attempted to drive the car again.

Please help!
Aug 8, 2006 at 5:40 AM
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MIKEYBDMAN
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  • 623 POSTS
[quote:94f739b9dc="pinkytinky"]I have a 1986 Pontiac Firebird with a V8. When I was driving down the road, my car suddenly would not accelerate above 20 mph. I couldn't figure out why, but I pulled over and noticed that it was totally overheated. I had no choice but to drive it home. Less than half a mile. The more I pushed the gas, the hotter it got.

I have no idea what happened to the car, and therefore have no clue as to what is wrong with it. I cranked it yesterday and moved it, in reverse, about 3 feet. I have not attempted to drive the car again.

Please help![/quote:94f739b9dc]

Try and replace the thermostat and see if that fixes the overheating problem. Hopefully it didnt get so hot that it did damage to the engine. Only time will tell that answer.
Aug 8, 2006 at 9:37 AM
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Suggested Repair

Replace the thermostat to address the overheating, then determine whether the extreme heat damaged the engine.

Conversation Summary

A 1986 Pontiac Firebird V8 suddenly would not accelerate above 20 mph and was found to be severely overheated. The owner drove it less than half a mile home and has only moved it a few feet since. The expert recommends replacing the thermostat and checking whether the overheating damaged the engine.

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