I noticed that on a hot day my temp runs about 223-230 degrees. I've been reading that there may be something in between the radiator and the coil. I opened the hood and looked to see if anything was there but because of the hood I could not see. I was wondering what the best way would be to get to this area?

 

look at the passenger side. There's a little gap where the AC lines go in.

Take a flash light and take a gander.

 

I am having the same problem... except, I think I have a dead fan... :U

 

Fix it right away, our side tanks are plastic I just cracked both!!! :mad I replaced it with a BeCOOL unit.

 

Brian,

I just cleaned out my radiator... I think the right fan is not "dead", but dying. The face of the radiator was all dirty - but only on the left side! The right side was rather clean.

I hosed the bejesus out of it and it is much cleaner. We shall see... I also added some Redline Water Wetter.

I will follow up tomorrow and see how it goes.

By the way, I ordered a new fan motor from Jeff (carfan18) this afternoon.

 

That's because the left if the prinary motor.

It's on more therefore ...

 

If the stock configuration for your cooling system has not changed that would not suprise me....... It probably has a 195 degree thermostat, and the fan will kick on at 228 (unless you are running the air)......

I have read messages from others that the temps are considerably less, and most of that is because they pulled the radiator and cleaned it, which leads to the next item.....

The only way to see if any road debris is between the radiator and air conditioner condenser is to remove the radiator to look down there.... Unfortunately there is no way to find this out unless you do some disassembling......... If you check the Tech Tips for C4's there is a detailed instruction topic on removing and cleaning the dead air space between the radiator and condenser........

Good luck....... But watch those temps..... If they get up around 235 - 240 it is starting to run too warm....... I think the idiot light starts up at 250.....

One day when I got stopped on the interstate (100 degrees that day) I was running the air and my temp got to 240..... I turned off the air, and the temp fell back down to 222........

Hope this helps.......

 

The quick fix of the month seems to be a dirty radiator. One reader says that was the problem and then everyone responds telling you the same load of crap. Thats allot of work for something that might not be the problem. Dirt has no affect on when the fans come on...check it when the car is sitting still and no air flow...right. If its sitting still and the fan is not on, what difference does a dirty radiator make...NONE. There's no air flowing anyway. Let the car warm up, sitting still, and see when your fans come on. Thats the gauge to use. If you want them on earlier, replace the thermoswitch in the head and they will come on earlier. If your car doesnt have a switch on the driver side, you can install one and bypass the stock temp from the comp. If the switch ever fails the computer will still turn the fan on at the original temp. Any more questions, email me.

BTW...I have driven many 4 wheel drive vehicles with tons of mud in the radiator and never had an overheating problem. Granted, the crud may slow down airflow, but not enough to overheat. I think the "cleaning the radiator" thing is over-rated. Good idea to clean it every now and then, but shouldn't be an overheating prolem.

 

There is one flaw with your theory, RED... The LT1 has its fans controlled by the ECU!!! I just cannot install a new sensor and go to town.

It is most true that cleaning these things does wonders.

Today, the car did not exceed 212. Yesterday, it was hovering around 230. This is bad. VERY BAD.

I don't know if it was the water wetter? Coulda been. But I doubt it has made its way all the way through.

when I use the AC, both fans are on, all the time. The left fan is not working right. That is all I can say... for sure!!! It is running, but lacks a certian enthusisasm for the job.

Next week, I will pull the radiator, fix the fan and 'comb' the radiator.

What does cause a lot of problems is the bent fins at the bottom.

 

I completely disagree with 90six. Many times simple fixes can be the the best. A dirty or blocked radiator is a primary cause of higher engine temps, even when the engine is at a complete stop. Sometimes it is nothing more than a plastic bag which was sucked into the air intake, or as serious as built up road grime, leaves, dirt, etc.
A radiator RADIATES HEAT from liquid through the fins which dissipates into the surrounding air/area. If the fins are dirty or blocked the radiation ( or removal of heat from the fluid) will be less effective.

Dirty /Blocked radiators are one of the main causes of engines running hotter than average. Other causes are low coolant, and/or bad; fans, fan relays, thermostats. The previously mentioned causes are easy to check and after checked, the next usual step is to clean/flush the radiator and surrounding areas

 

Bob - wait until RED's vette starts running hot. then cleans the forrest out of the intake... and the temps drop 10 degrees.

THEN he will be a beleiver.

RED - this is not just some dirt - this is a packing of leaves, cigarette butts, paper, grass clippings... you name it. It DOES block up major parts of the rad.

Your truck has more underhood airflow and, a guess, a bigger radiator...

 

I have been reading and hearing that 89's can have one or two fans. When I lift the hood I only see one fan on the inside. Becaise of the hood I can not see if there is a fan on the front of the coil. How can I tell if I have one or two fans and if they are both working?
Thanks

 

I know there is an RPO for the heavy duty cooling... but I don't know the number!

if you open your hood, there is an inspection port on the passengers side of the radiator. At least there is on my 92... it is a slot, about 2" wide and 6" long.

If it ain't working... could be a number of issues. electrical, mechanical.