Overheating on an '85
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2
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From: Benton AR
Overheating on an '85
I am considering the purchase of a one owner 1985 coupe. The current owner indicated that the car is prone to overheating in slow traffic if the a/c is running. Is the a problem for '85 vettes or due I need to look further into issues with the cooling system? :confused:
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 153
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From: Gretna LA
Re: Overheating on an '85 (armisfalcon)
Vettes no matter what year do not have a cooling problem as long as the following maintenance is done repeatedly.
A Vette is like a big vacuum cleaner sucking up everything in front of it on the road. Issues you have are debris being sucked up & stuck to the front of the radiator. If not checked, you could have over-heating. And with most vettes, you cannot see in front of the radiator without pulling the radiator out.
If you maintain a clean radiator and condenser and check periodically the radiator & condenser fins; straightening them if they are bent, and keeping the radiator & condenser clean & clear of debris, and the proper coolant you shouldn't have any issues. And I would recommend a 160 degree thermostat and a chip that is programmed to turn on the fan between 180-190 degrees. Normally, from the factory, your fan will kick on between 228-235 degrees.
This is normal.
Get your Vette . But keep in mind they are not cheap to maintain properly. Especially if you do not work on them yourself. I can't emphasize that enough.
Don't forget to :seeya :steering:
[Modified by Mach85, 10:18 PM 5/15/2003]
A Vette is like a big vacuum cleaner sucking up everything in front of it on the road. Issues you have are debris being sucked up & stuck to the front of the radiator. If not checked, you could have over-heating. And with most vettes, you cannot see in front of the radiator without pulling the radiator out.
If you maintain a clean radiator and condenser and check periodically the radiator & condenser fins; straightening them if they are bent, and keeping the radiator & condenser clean & clear of debris, and the proper coolant you shouldn't have any issues. And I would recommend a 160 degree thermostat and a chip that is programmed to turn on the fan between 180-190 degrees. Normally, from the factory, your fan will kick on between 228-235 degrees.
This is normal.
Get your Vette . But keep in mind they are not cheap to maintain properly. Especially if you do not work on them yourself. I can't emphasize that enough.
Don't forget to :seeya :steering:
[Modified by Mach85, 10:18 PM 5/15/2003]
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 408
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From: Columbia Maryland
Re: Overheating on an '85 (armisfalcon)
Have the radiator checked and cleaned. They suck up all sorts of road crap into the space between the ac condensor and radiator and clog very easily. The radiator is small and so just a little bit of junk cuts its efficiency. You can't see it unless you pull off the fan shroud, which requires removing a bunch of other things. Read this:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=53&TopicID=2
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=53&TopicID=2
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,171
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: Overheating on an '85 (armisfalcon)
It is designed to run hot, for emissions purposes. Although it is not necessary for you to let it get that hot.
There are a few things that you need to do if you want your temps down to acceptable levels:
1. Remove the radiator shroud, and clean the front of the radiator. There is a space between it and the condensor that gets totally filled with trash.
2. Flush and refill the coolant system.
3. Add a bottle of Water Wetter.
4. Change the thermostat to a 160 or 180. I run a 160 in my 86, no problems.
5. Add a fan switch, wired to the main fan to make the fans come on sooner. Either this or having someone program your chip to make them come on sooner. This is the only permanent fix.
6. If theyre still too high, your water pump needs replacing.
There are a few things that you need to do if you want your temps down to acceptable levels:
1. Remove the radiator shroud, and clean the front of the radiator. There is a space between it and the condensor that gets totally filled with trash.
2. Flush and refill the coolant system.
3. Add a bottle of Water Wetter.
4. Change the thermostat to a 160 or 180. I run a 160 in my 86, no problems.
5. Add a fan switch, wired to the main fan to make the fans come on sooner. Either this or having someone program your chip to make them come on sooner. This is the only permanent fix.
6. If theyre still too high, your water pump needs replacing.
