heating up
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
heating up
my 1990 is getting hotter than I would like on long steep hills and in traffic. Any suggestions on where to start? thermostat? h2o pump, radiator flush? fan switch? I live at 6000ft.
Any one thing most common at 77k?
thanks- mjaded
Any one thing most common at 77k?
thanks- mjaded
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,246
Likes: 114
From: Watkins Glen NY
Lots of road garbage will collect in front of the radiator. Try cleaning it out to see if it makes any difference in your temps.
This winter I will probably pull my radiator just to inspect it although my car runs cool. This past spring I used compressed air to blow out that area the best i could from the front w/o removing anything, and a TON of material came out--leaves, dirt, gravel, maple seeds, etc.
This winter I will probably pull my radiator just to inspect it although my car runs cool. This past spring I used compressed air to blow out that area the best i could from the front w/o removing anything, and a TON of material came out--leaves, dirt, gravel, maple seeds, etc.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
How hot is "hotter than I would like" Normal operating temps are often hotter than many members like. A thermostat doesn't cool an engine. Once it is open, it has done it's job. The thermostat only establishes the minimum operating temp. If your temps are above the stat temp, a cooler stat will do nothing to lower your operating temps.
Maintenance is the key to proper engine temps. Very thoroughly flush your cooling system every two (or three years at the most) if you are using the conventional, green, ethylene glycol antifreeze. I think the orange, DexCool, is rated for a longer interval, but I don't know much about that stuff. I am suspicious of it. Whatever you do, don't mix the two. Also as advised, above, remove your radiator and clean out from in between the rad and condenser. For more info (endless) do a search.
RACE ON!!!
Maintenance is the key to proper engine temps. Very thoroughly flush your cooling system every two (or three years at the most) if you are using the conventional, green, ethylene glycol antifreeze. I think the orange, DexCool, is rated for a longer interval, but I don't know much about that stuff. I am suspicious of it. Whatever you do, don't mix the two. Also as advised, above, remove your radiator and clean out from in between the rad and condenser. For more info (endless) do a search.
RACE ON!!!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
thanks
right on. I like starting simple with nearly free things like compressed air.
Also, read quite a bit on temps in old posts and all seem real confindent on what actual temps are. I'm looking at a guage that bottoms at 100 and maxes out at 260 with no numbers between- if I do the math I get 180 at the middle mark and then 220 at 3/4 max on the guage. Is this good math? (or do you guys all have Autometers wired up on the A pillar). If so then I don't think I'm doing too bad if my worst case is 3/4 of the way to 260. or 220 in stop and go traffic or slow on steep hills. Had it stuck in my head that past half way on the guage is bad.
Also, read quite a bit on temps in old posts and all seem real confindent on what actual temps are. I'm looking at a guage that bottoms at 100 and maxes out at 260 with no numbers between- if I do the math I get 180 at the middle mark and then 220 at 3/4 max on the guage. Is this good math? (or do you guys all have Autometers wired up on the A pillar). If so then I don't think I'm doing too bad if my worst case is 3/4 of the way to 260. or 220 in stop and go traffic or slow on steep hills. Had it stuck in my head that past half way on the guage is bad.
Last edited by mjaded; Sep 14, 2007 at 02:23 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,770
Likes: 175
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
right on. I like starting simple with nearly free things like compressed air.
Also, read quite a bit on temps in old posts and all seem real confindent on what actual temps are. I'm looking at a guage that bottoms at 100 and maxes out at 260 with no numbers between- if I do the math I get 180 at the middle mark and then 220 at 3/4 max on the guage. Is this good math? (or do you guys all have Autometers wired up on the A pillar). If so then I don't think I'm doing too bad if my worst case is 3/4 of the way to 260. or 220 in stop and go traffic or slow on steep hills. Had it stuck in my head that past half way on the guage is bad.
Also, read quite a bit on temps in old posts and all seem real confindent on what actual temps are. I'm looking at a guage that bottoms at 100 and maxes out at 260 with no numbers between- if I do the math I get 180 at the middle mark and then 220 at 3/4 max on the guage. Is this good math? (or do you guys all have Autometers wired up on the A pillar). If so then I don't think I'm doing too bad if my worst case is 3/4 of the way to 260. or 220 in stop and go traffic or slow on steep hills. Had it stuck in my head that past half way on the guage is bad.
According to GM, shut the car down if it gets into the shaded area (260 degrees F.).
Also, that analog gauge is not liner. Meaning that you can't divide the space up between the numbers evenly. Just before the shaded area is approx. 228 degrees. Your electric fans will come on and should keep the needle from going into the shaded area.
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Flint MI: Birthplace of the Corvette
Lots of road garbage will collect in front of the radiator. Try cleaning it out to see if it makes any difference in your temps.
Dave T.
