this cooling system is driving me up a wall

[2.5-12]

I have a 1991 1.8 liter M42 318.

I bought it the way it sits now, I have elevated the front of the car, topped it up till no bubbles came out hot and cold. heat works great but when the car is up to temp, the top of the radiator is searing hot and the bottom of it, the passenger side of it, and the passenger side hose is cold to luke warm at best.

I have dumped 2 gallons of coolant into this thing and its still doing this, and ideas as to whats wrong? could I have a bad water pump if my heat is perfect, can I have a bad t-stat if the car stays at the 80*c mark regulated im sure solely by the heater core?

i'm at a loss, this is even harder to deal with than my E36s cooling system.

any help is much appreceated. thanks!

[Dj Buttchug]

how long has it been since you replaced the radiator/ cooling system components?

[2.5-12]

unknown, bought the car, guy said it was perfect, sat for 6 months in a field, got it home and now it does this

[KenC]

If the radiator return hose isn't heating up, it usually means your thermostat is stuck closed. A good possibility if the car has been sitting for so long.

[2.5-12]

thats kinda what I was thinking too since the heat in the car is consistantly delightful and the hose really doesnt get hot.

I'll but a new Tstat and see whats what.

[2.5-12]

that did er'

bought a 176* so I could see the difference and to compensate for the shitty fan clutch.

thanks peeps, I'll post up here if it stops being fixed.

Thanks!