Still can't solve heating problem.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 896
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From: Lafayette, Indiana
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Still can't solve heating problem.
I have everything new in the cooling system: hoses, radiator, thermastat, thermastat housing, coolant, radiator cap, waterpump. ALL NEW.
Yet when I take the vette for little cruises outside of town, she heats up past 200. I have a 160 degree thermastat in there. What else could the problem be? I'm sure TONS of other people have had this problem before so I'm sure someone out there would no the answer.
Yet when I take the vette for little cruises outside of town, she heats up past 200. I have a 160 degree thermastat in there. What else could the problem be? I'm sure TONS of other people have had this problem before so I'm sure someone out there would no the answer.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,103
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Re: Still can't solve heating problem. (jonny4523)
Is it possible that there is a problem with the temp sending unit? It is possible that the temp gauge is reading wrong and that the egine is actually running at the right temp.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,103
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From: Tucson AZ
Re: Still can't solve heating problem. (jonny4523)
Not on a vette, but did have that problem on a 78 Monte Carlo. I can' t say that is the problem, but that seems the next logical step. Also, is the radiator new, recored, rodded? Is the radiator too small for the engine?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: Still can't solve heating problem. (jonny4523)
Fan clutch OK?
"Chin" spoiler in place?
You don't have an underdrive pulley, do you?
Some say the hoses can collapse and only buy ones with wound metal inserts.
"Chin" spoiler in place?
You don't have an underdrive pulley, do you?
Some say the hoses can collapse and only buy ones with wound metal inserts.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 896
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette, Indiana
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Re: Still can't solve heating problem. (jerryp58)
Fan clutch is stock. I do not know how to test it. What is a chin spoiler? All pullies are stock. And the hoses do not look collapsed
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 305
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From: Elgin TX
Re: Still can't solve heating problem. (wireless guy)
whats wrong with 200 degrees? When i go cruising during the day, i usually stay at a constant 210. I would check the guage, get a cooking thermestat and check the radiator coolent temp.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: Still can't solve heating problem. (jonny4523)
First of all, I agree that a "little over 200 degrees" would not be that bad.
I'm currently running a little over 200 (205-210 maybe), but I was just below 200 after I replaced my radiator last year. I plan on a flush & fill soon.
OK, back to your question.
The chin spoiler (probably not the right name) is a small (maybe 2" tall) plastic spoiler under the nose of the car that is used to force air up and through the radiator. The spoiler will help keep the car cooler at speed only. BTW, are your fan shroud & radiator seals in place?
According to my Haynes manual, you test the fan clutch by:
1. Let the car run for two minutes then shut off (they warn you to remove the keys from the ignition -- can't be too careful).
2. Turn the fan blades and note the resistance. Ther should be moderate resistance depending on temperature (how's that for precise?).
3. Drive the vehicle until the engine is warmed up. Shut it off and remove the key.
4. Turn the fan blades again and note the resistance. Ther should be a noticeable INCREASE in resistance.
If the fan clutch fails this check or is locked up, replacement is required.
Hope this helps.
I'm currently running a little over 200 (205-210 maybe), but I was just below 200 after I replaced my radiator last year. I plan on a flush & fill soon.
OK, back to your question.
The chin spoiler (probably not the right name) is a small (maybe 2" tall) plastic spoiler under the nose of the car that is used to force air up and through the radiator. The spoiler will help keep the car cooler at speed only. BTW, are your fan shroud & radiator seals in place?
According to my Haynes manual, you test the fan clutch by:
1. Let the car run for two minutes then shut off (they warn you to remove the keys from the ignition -- can't be too careful).
2. Turn the fan blades and note the resistance. Ther should be moderate resistance depending on temperature (how's that for precise?).
3. Drive the vehicle until the engine is warmed up. Shut it off and remove the key.
4. Turn the fan blades again and note the resistance. Ther should be a noticeable INCREASE in resistance.
If the fan clutch fails this check or is locked up, replacement is required.
Hope this helps.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 896
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From: Lafayette, Indiana
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Re: Still can't solve heating problem. (jerryp58)
I think I remember that "chin" spoiler in one of my corvette posters on my wall. But my vette does not have that. I do not remember seeing any vettes, live, with it. But then again, I do not remember paying that much attention to the nose. Does yours have it jerry?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Far side of the Moon
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St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-16-'17
Re: Still can't solve heating problem. (jonny4523)
After this may years and since you replaced just about everything else, spend the few extra $$$ to replace the fan clutch.
A quick way to check it is to see how long the fan spins after you turn off a hot engine. Basically, it should spin [sorta] free when the engine is cold and not spin free when the engine is hot.
Also, did you replace the temp sending unit.
Like has been mentioned, if you can, check the temperature by another means other than the temperature gauge. Would hate to see you spend time troubleshooting a cooling problem when it is a misreading gauge.
But ya know, 200 aint that bad as long as it doesn't start going higher on ya. Keep in mind that these guages are not on the degree accurate. Close, but not absolute.
The 160 degree thermostat really has nothing to do with what temperature the engine runs at since these engines normally run 180-190. A 160 degree thermostat just means you start the cooling process sooner than waiting for it to reach a higher temperature. The only time a thermostat will make a difference is when the engine normally runs cooler than the thermostat opening temperature.
Good luck and be cool... :D
A quick way to check it is to see how long the fan spins after you turn off a hot engine. Basically, it should spin [sorta] free when the engine is cold and not spin free when the engine is hot.
Also, did you replace the temp sending unit.
Like has been mentioned, if you can, check the temperature by another means other than the temperature gauge. Would hate to see you spend time troubleshooting a cooling problem when it is a misreading gauge.
But ya know, 200 aint that bad as long as it doesn't start going higher on ya. Keep in mind that these guages are not on the degree accurate. Close, but not absolute.
The 160 degree thermostat really has nothing to do with what temperature the engine runs at since these engines normally run 180-190. A 160 degree thermostat just means you start the cooling process sooner than waiting for it to reach a higher temperature. The only time a thermostat will make a difference is when the engine normally runs cooler than the thermostat opening temperature.
Good luck and be cool... :D
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 1
Re: Still can't solve heating problem. (jonny4523)
Mine would heat up like that too. (after head swap) Turned out I had air pockets in the block. Did you try filling up intake (under thermostat) with coolant? I did that, and my cooling problems are gone. Just another thought.
good luck!
-terry
good luck!
-terry
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 896
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From: Lafayette, Indiana
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Re: Still can't solve heating problem. (gb4622)
the temp. sending unit is new. It was a little different than my old one. But all I had to do is put a different hook up on it. (sort of a bubba move but it worked) I will indeed test the fan clutch. The top hose looks a little crimped. I could not imagine that it is restricting flow at all but I guess anything is possible. When I put the air cleaner on, the "outlet" on the buttom hits the top radiator hose. Could this mean that they gave me the wrong hose?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: Still can't solve heating problem. (jonny4523)
"Does yours have it jerry?"
Yes it does. Always has.
Sorry I don't have a good pic of it.
It's in the catalogs though (at least it's in Zip's): < $40 for spoiler & mount kit.
Yes it does. Always has.
Sorry I don't have a good pic of it.
It's in the catalogs though (at least it's in Zip's): < $40 for spoiler & mount kit.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 112
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From: n.h.
Re: Still can't solve heating problem. (jonny4523)
my prob was the clutch fan also,,,was prob why the car blew a head gasket on former owner and he cheap fixed and sold it to me and the motor blew shortly after,,( 50 mi )..after rebuild overheated because of clutch fan so i went to the motor builder and he just said " flex fan,,end of problem "...and it worked,,..180 is the highest i have seen ,95 deg.in stop and go beach traffic..pep boys,$35 or so ..??
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 483
Likes: 3
From: d.d.o quebec
Re: Still can't solve heating problem. (jonny4523)
jonny, I think you should check under the car and see where the fan shroud is setting on the rad suport. if it is not in the right place then the swivel door on the bottom of the shroud is getting suck in the cloced position on the sway bar. the rad is not getting enough air. Forget the rest!!!!!!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 112
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From: n.h.
Re: Still can't solve heating problem. (silver79)
hhmmmmmmm.......swivel door on fan shroud..???...my 77 dont have one,,,
havent seen one on a 77...did 77's come with them .??..the post was reffering to a prob on a 77...??...anybody got swivel doors on fan shroud on thier 77.??..or am i the only one that dont ..??..if you do have one you wouldnt want it to get " suck in cloced position "..
[Modified by techrondon, 9:09 PM 6/11/2002]
havent seen one on a 77...did 77's come with them .??..the post was reffering to a prob on a 77...??...anybody got swivel doors on fan shroud on thier 77.??..or am i the only one that dont ..??..if you do have one you wouldnt want it to get " suck in cloced position "..
[Modified by techrondon, 9:09 PM 6/11/2002]
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 896
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette, Indiana
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Re: Still can't solve heating problem. (techrondon)
whoa whoa, settle down. He is just trying to help.
Silver, I dont think I have any door down there. Sorry. But I still appreciate your help.
Sounds to me like I definately need to check the clutch fan. Before my rebuild, the block overheated badly and it caused a blown head gasket and a busted piston ring. I am currently using the exact same fan (except that I painted it. :cool: ) Next chance I get I will check that out. I may just end up replacing the fan just for the fun of it. I am always looking for stuff to work on. Thanks everyone. If you still have advice...lay it on.
Silver, I dont think I have any door down there. Sorry. But I still appreciate your help.
Sounds to me like I definately need to check the clutch fan. Before my rebuild, the block overheated badly and it caused a blown head gasket and a busted piston ring. I am currently using the exact same fan (except that I painted it. :cool: ) Next chance I get I will check that out. I may just end up replacing the fan just for the fun of it. I am always looking for stuff to work on. Thanks everyone. If you still have advice...lay it on.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 896
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette, Indiana
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Re: Still can't solve heating problem. (techrondon)
whoa whoa whoa. You said $35 or so....is that what you got it for? It is listed in corvette central for like $85. $85 is a little harder to spend. Please tell me that you got it for $35. Please! You have to remember that I am only 17 and have not yet grown my money tree.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Re: Still can't solve heating problem. (jonny4523)
the temp. sending unit is new. It was a little different than my old one. But all I had to do is put a different hook up on it. (sort of a bubba move but it worked)