Overheating problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 364
Likes: 1
From: Stockton CA
Overheating problem
My mother asked (told) me to let her drive the vette. Being I'm only 17, and living in her house I can't say no. I was very worried because last time she forgot to take off the e-brake and drove down the block before ending up in a cloud of smoke and realizing there was something wrong.
Anyways, she told me she drove it fine. I take it out today and drive to the store about 10 mins away. I noticed it felt like a slight vibration in the gas pedal, and shift **** and I thought I even heard the faintest noise (can't really explain it). Mostly right when I would shift to the next gear. I don't know if I'm explaining it very accurate because it was all really suttle symptoms, but it was def. different.On the way back, I noticed the coolant temp rising to about 220 when I stopped. I started going again and watched it steady rise to about the mid 230's. I drove it home immediately... she swears she didn't have any trouble/over reving or anything of that nature...
I'm no expert with engines, so I don't know how to diagnose this... but last time the engine overheated I had cracked heads. What's going on this time?
Anyways, she told me she drove it fine. I take it out today and drive to the store about 10 mins away. I noticed it felt like a slight vibration in the gas pedal, and shift **** and I thought I even heard the faintest noise (can't really explain it). Mostly right when I would shift to the next gear. I don't know if I'm explaining it very accurate because it was all really suttle symptoms, but it was def. different.On the way back, I noticed the coolant temp rising to about 220 when I stopped. I started going again and watched it steady rise to about the mid 230's. I drove it home immediately... she swears she didn't have any trouble/over reving or anything of that nature...
I'm no expert with engines, so I don't know how to diagnose this... but last time the engine overheated I had cracked heads. What's going on this time?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
What was the Oil temp? I think you might be a little over sensative after the E-Brake thing but the second fan on mine does not turn on till 235.What was the outside temp? Have you cleaned your radiator lately?These cars are hoovers and you might have a bag in there. I do not think there is a relationship between the shifter and the temp. When your temp goes above 235 then it is time to worry but oil temp should be around 220 on a warm day.
Be nice to Mom not many would let their 17 yr old drive a Vette shes a good one.
Be nice to Mom not many would let their 17 yr old drive a Vette shes a good one.
Last edited by Redeasysport; May 13, 2005 at 01:51 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 44,773
Likes: 1
From: 63.8% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
St. Jude Donor '08-'10
I can't think of anything that your mom or any other driver could do to make the car over heat on a short drive like that. It must have been doing the same before but you didn't notice until you started to look for something wrong. Check the coolant system, clean the plenum area, and stop blaming your mom. Nobody will ever love or care for you like your mother does. Give her a hug on your way to the garage.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
The only thing I could think of on this is owner drivers know about not driving over loose debris in the road, she may not have know that and did a little road cleaning. Check the air intake area under the nose and see if some debris is not on the front of the radiator, also looking from the passenger side there is an opening in the upper radiator housing that will allow you to shine a flashlight and look in-between the two radiators. Generally there is material on both. Debris on the second one is a lot more tricky to remove.
Be easy on mom, she probably has a lot more driving experience... but to ease your worries try riding with her and let her know about the idiosyncrocies of your baby.
Be easy on mom, she probably has a lot more driving experience... but to ease your worries try riding with her and let her know about the idiosyncrocies of your baby.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 0
From: Mobile AL
St. Jude Donor '05
Those are not abnormal temperatures for your car. Do a search on the Forum for engine temp, overheat, etc, and you'll find you're in the ballpark. It's still a good idea to check front of radiator periodically, though, as snoopy will scoop up anything laying in front of it (someone on the Forum had a dead squirrel in there).
BTW, I wish my mom was still around to drive mine - be nice to her.
BTW, I wish my mom was still around to drive mine - be nice to her.
Last edited by SilverBeast; May 13, 2005 at 09:35 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 364
Likes: 1
From: Stockton CA
I probably am overreacting a little.. I'm just kinda frustrated because this car has been in the shop the whole time I've had it, and at 17 money is an issue. I'm just nervous because I'd never seen it rise above 215 or so, even on really long drives. Also when I was driving with her one time I had to tell her to shift before she got to the red line.
Thanks for the help guys, I'll check out all the suggestions.
Thanks for the help guys, I'll check out all the suggestions.
Last edited by eboler; May 13, 2005 at 09:46 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Time to fess up Mom! I'll bet she was drag racing ricers who "revved" at her. I'll bet there are several Honda and Mitsubitchies around town that are pizzing and moaning today - maybe even a coupla Rustang drivers too. 
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 1
From: Tracy CA
Originally Posted by corvetteronw
Time to fess up Mom! I'll bet she was drag racing ricers who "revved" at her. I'll bet there are several Honda and Mitsubitchies around town that are pizzing and moaning today - maybe even a coupla Rustang drivers too.
Bet she hides her helmet in a hat box!!!
-E
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 364
Likes: 1
From: Stockton CA
Originally Posted by corvetteronw
Time to fess up Mom! I'll bet she was drag racing ricers who "revved" at her. I'll bet there are several Honda and Mitsubitchies around town that are pizzing and moaning today - maybe even a coupla Rustang drivers too.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
Likes: 9
From: Merritt Ils Fl
Originally Posted by corvetteronw
Time to fess up Mom! I'll bet she was drag racing ricers who "revved" at her. I'll bet there are several Honda and Mitsubitchies around town that are pizzing and moaning today - maybe even a coupla Rustang drivers too.
Check your cooling system. If she keeps driving you best start saving for some laughing gas.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Mt. Pleasant TX
Sounds like normal temps
Did you have the A/C on when it got into the 230°'s?? Probably not. If you look at some of the other overheating/Temps to high posts you will see that the fans don't come on until 228° unless you have an upgraded computer etc. Unless you turn on the A/C or heater the A/C being on turns on the fans to help cool the system. If you don't have any trash or other blockage your probably okay.. Mine had a bad fan relay and wouldn't turn on the fans until 238°. All this is assuming your running a system similar to my 1995 LT1. They just run very warm.. I had to get used to it also.. I put a 180° thermostat and a can of 40° below and now run highway temps of 195°-200° Hope this helps .. I just wish I could have gotten one when I was 17 .. Just envious... enjoy the ride 
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,902
Likes: 19
From: Tavernier Fl
Mine never heats up on long runs, in traffic is where you would see these kinds of temps, not abnormal but cleaning the rad/condenser area good would prob drop it 10+ degrees, did on mine
~B~
~B~