overheating at idle help
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
overheating at idle help
hi ,i have a bit of a problem thaT ALMOST CAME FROM NOWHERE ..i have a 84 coupe with engine from 89 (L98)
and its carbed , my prob is that the car can idle for a while in my driveway from cold with no overheating but if i drive it a while it slowly works its way up to about 200 or so n then if i hit traffic i have seen it up as high as 247 (digital gauge) now the car doesnt run bad at that point but the idle get a bit higher the hoter it gets ,outside temp seams not to effect it much . now if i rev the car to like 2500 the temp works its way down back to 200 or so ,i just replaced the water pump last week (autozone pump) and it didnt help much ..sorry for the long story but im just not sure what to do i have noticed posable coolent loss ,it doesn't boil over ,and being carbed it doesnt even run bad it just gets hot at idle its an auto( with a trans cooler) rad is clean and i get good coolant flow the radiator is clean
and its carbed , my prob is that the car can idle for a while in my driveway from cold with no overheating but if i drive it a while it slowly works its way up to about 200 or so n then if i hit traffic i have seen it up as high as 247 (digital gauge) now the car doesnt run bad at that point but the idle get a bit higher the hoter it gets ,outside temp seams not to effect it much . now if i rev the car to like 2500 the temp works its way down back to 200 or so ,i just replaced the water pump last week (autozone pump) and it didnt help much ..sorry for the long story but im just not sure what to do i have noticed posable coolent loss ,it doesn't boil over ,and being carbed it doesnt even run bad it just gets hot at idle its an auto( with a trans cooler) rad is clean and i get good coolant flow the radiator is clean
Last edited by purplevette84; Mar 6, 2005 at 10:58 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 956
Likes: 0
From: Mesquite Nevada
Had a few problems with mine climbing up to 130 a few years back. A couple of things you can check. Check to see if the fans clicking on at the right points. Also, look under the car and make sure the air dams/3-piece spoiler is in place -- especially the mid section. Mine was missing and I just replaced the mid-section due to having a front clip; lowered the temp drastically. Also, take the top of the radiator shroud off and make sure nothing (leaves, trash bags, etc.) has gotten up in between the A/C condensor and the radiator. Lastly, check for a small presure leak; I had one caused by my radiator cap.
I'm sure other's might be able to add to the list of things to check, but this should get you started, good luck.
I'm sure other's might be able to add to the list of things to check, but this should get you started, good luck.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 34
From: The Top of Utah
With your carb, you must have a mechanical distributor. If you don't have enough advance at idle speed it'll run hot. After you pull the radiator and clean out between the rad and condensor, check your ignition timing curve.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Are you absolutely sure there is no air in the coolant system? You know, we have to pack out systems to get all the air out.
The radiator will seem full with the engine idling, but when you rev it, the coolant level in the radiator will drop.
Just something else to consider.
Jake
The radiator will seem full with the engine idling, but when you rev it, the coolant level in the radiator will drop.
Just something else to consider.
Jake
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 875
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
might wanna check your thermostat as well...if they get stuck open it will heat everything up like that....and i second the timing issue....had it happen to me 
my headers were glowing pink.. lol
my headers were glowing pink.. lol
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
ok air in the cooling system ,chked and im good there , 160 stat is new as of a week ago also tryed the no t-stat idea ..no change ,timing thats a possable idea, it really likes a lot of timing i guess because the holley carb is like a miget with a gas can just pouring it in all the time..thanks for the help guys
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 398
Likes: 1
From: Kelowna BC
If the timing is not the problem, have another look at the stat. Would not be the first time a new one does not work. Just put it in a pot on the stove and bring it to a boil and see if it opens and closes afterwards once you let it cool.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 34
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by kpforce1
might wanna check your thermostat as well...if they get stuck open it will heat everything up like that
Originally Posted by 86C4EVER
have another look at the stat. Would not be the first time a new one does not work.
RACE ON!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Originally Posted by purplevette84
ok air in the cooling system ,chked and im good there , 160 stat is new as of a week ago also tryed the no t-stat idea ..no change ,timing thats a possable idea, it really likes a lot of timing i guess because the holley carb is like a miget with a gas can just pouring it in all the time..thanks for the help guys
The engine coolant has to be at a temp that allows the stat to be completely open.
If you need the step by step for the packing procedure I'll post it. Let me know.
Jake
