Cooling Problems
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Englewood CO
Cooling Problems
I am having some cooling problems after installing a Mark VIII fan and a DC Controller. I think the problem might be my water pump, but I am not sure. I let the car idle to heat up and open the thermostat, eventually the fan came on but my tempeture gauge was reading above 200. I think the fan also shut off shortly after (needle above 200). When the fan was on it did not seem to have any affect on the temperture gauge (kept climbing). I shut off the engine when the needle got very close to the red. When the fan was on it did seem like it was moving a lot of air.
I figure it might be the water pump because I assume my new fan controller is working and cooling off the water in the radiator and that the water in the block is not flowing. Does this seem logical? Thanks for the help.
I figure it might be the water pump because I assume my new fan controller is working and cooling off the water in the radiator and that the water in the block is not flowing. Does this seem logical? Thanks for the help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Sounds like you might have air in the system. When you check it out next, open the radiator cap and make sure you can see fluid moving when the t-stat is open. Drilling a small hole in the t-stat is a good way to get the air to bleed out. Sounds like the controller is working if the fan cycled on and off. Where did you install the sensor?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Thats a good place for it. Check out the air pocket issue, my bet would be there. The T-stat is always a suspect when the temp tends to climb. Remember the temp gauge reads the temp between the center cylindars on the head, which will be the hotest part of the engine. With the fan upgrades you have done you should be good, water pumps usually leak when they fail, so if its not leaking I wouldn't suspect the pump. Replace the t-stat and drill a 1/8" hole in it to bleed off the air. Problem should go away
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,503
Likes: 2
From: Raleigh NC
Feel the air coming out of the fan.
Check and see if the airstream is coming straight out of the fan.
Or, does it deflect to the sides instead of straight out? If so, the radiator fins are clogged with debri (on the outside.)
Check and see if the airstream is coming straight out of the fan.
Or, does it deflect to the sides instead of straight out? If so, the radiator fins are clogged with debri (on the outside.)
Last edited by PhotoVette1; Mar 14, 2007 at 04:29 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Englewood CO
Thanks guys for the help. I bought a new 180 degree thermostat and drilled a coupld holes in it. I will be installing it tomorrow, got to paint some of the house tonight. The air comes straight out of the fan. The fins should be good, it is a fairly new aluminum radiator. The fan really pulls air through when it comes on full, atleast I know something is working properly lol.
Does a water pump actually go bad (as in stops flowing water) or does it just leak?
Does a water pump actually go bad (as in stops flowing water) or does it just leak?
Last edited by 79corvette; Mar 14, 2007 at 04:55 PM. Reason: added question
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,716
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From: Sulphur LA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'11,'13-'14,'16,'18,'19,'24, '25
Neal
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Englewood CO
Why at the outlet of the radiator? Tom mounts his at the inlet; the fan should work in conjunction with the T-stat. I am not familiar with the DC controller, does it start the fan at low speed and ramp up from there. Set the fan to come on just below the T-stat temp and ramp up from there, let the radiator and T-stat do the work and than use the fan when it is needed.
Neal
Neal
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,503
Likes: 2
From: Raleigh NC
Why at the outlet of the radiator? Tom mounts his at the inlet; the fan should work in conjunction with the T-stat. I am not familiar with the DC controller, does it start the fan at low speed and ramp up from there. Set the fan to come on just below the T-stat temp and ramp up from there, let the radiator and T-stat do the work and than use the fan when it is needed.
Neal
Neal
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Wamego Kansas
Water pumps can be bad . Not supply enough flow threw the system. They are a centrifical pump and if there is too much clearance between the impeller and the housing flow will deminish. This is not an uncommon problem with rebuilt water pumps. This will usually be noticed by the engine running cool at higher rpms but heating up at lower rpms.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Water pumps can be bad . Not supply enough flow threw the system. They are a centrifical pump and if there is too much clearance between the impeller and the housing flow will deminish. This is not an uncommon problem with rebuilt water pumps. This will usually be noticed by the engine running cool at higher rpms but heating up at lower rpms.
