Still Gets HOTTT WTF!!!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 449
Likes: 1
From: Victoria
When changing coolant,As the required engine coolant level in the engine is higher than the actual filling point in the radiator,I use an old radiator cap I have welded a 6”filler tube onto, this when filled raises the filling height above the required coolant level in the engine.
Also when I install a new thermostat, I drill a 1/8” hole in it to aid in the bleeding of air from the system
Last edited by Qiken; May 12, 2011 at 07:39 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 9
From: Troy Ohio
i have changed the intake seal to stop leaking coolant, i put a new 180 t-stat in, i flushed the cooling system on the car (flushed the block out, fluched the radiator out). I cleaned away all the debree in front of the radiator, i have fresh coolant and coolant is full.......
I drive the car for 20-30 min and the temps go to OIL Temp 230, Coolant temp 227.... for real
. what am i doing wrong what do i need to do................
I drive the car for 20-30 min and the temps go to OIL Temp 230, Coolant temp 227.... for real
. what am i doing wrong what do i need to do................
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 3
From: Conowingo Maryland
So you are driving down the highway lets say 65 mph. Fans are not in play. If I have a 160 stat in my car it will run about 160, If I have a 180 it will run right around 180. and the same for a 190 if the stats do not regulate temp how is this happing???? 
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 535
Likes: 0
From: CA
jacked the front of the car up in the air and "burped" the system. I drove it around for a few minutes after and no low coolant light so we will see. as far as running hot it seems i may have to check out the radiator as a culprit
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 290
Likes: 5
From: Winona MN
The purpose of a thermostat is help your engine heat up faster by closing and making the coolant only flow inside the engine. Once the coolant reaches the temperature rating of the thermostat it opens and allows coolant to flow through the radiator to keep your engine from overheating. The rating on a thermostat is the degree where it is fully open and flowing its maximum amount of coolant. So yes if you have a very efficient cooling system it will effect your temperature but only if your cooling system can keep the temperature that cool. So whether you have a 160, 180 or a 195 once they are open they are all the same so if you are running 200 degrees it will not effect your temp at all because they are all open fully. The confusion surrounding thermostats has gone on forever and people just can't understand that it's job is to heat your engine quicker and has very little to do with operating temp because the cooling system can't keep up.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 3
From: Conowingo Maryland
The purpose of a thermostat is help your engine heat up faster by closing and making the coolant only flow inside the engine. Once the coolant reaches the temperature rating of the thermostat it opens and allows coolant to flow through the radiator to keep your engine from overheating. The rating on a thermostat is the degree where it is fully open and flowing its maximum amount of coolant. So yes if you have a very efficient cooling system it will effect your temperature but only if your cooling system can keep the temperature that cool. So whether you have a 160, 180 or a 195 once they are open they are all the same so if you are running 200 degrees it will not effect your temp at all because they are all open fully. The confusion surrounding thermostats has gone on forever and people just can't understand that it's job is to heat your engine quicker and has very little to do with operating temp because the cooling system can't keep up.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 290
Likes: 5
From: Winona MN
Not at all what I said. I said that if your running 200 degrees they are all open and will not effect your temperature. I also said if you had a efficient enough cooling system to keep your engine cool they would then make a difference but most if not all factory cooling systems can not do that. If you have a 195 degree thermostat and your car never goes above 195 then you would probably notice a difference but once it goes past 195 then the thermostat isn't doing a thing but sitting wide open.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 933
Likes: 383
If you think that you are running hotter than normal, I suggest removing the radiator and cleaning the fins out. Just removing the debris in front is not enough. You can use a pressure washer, but very gently with the wand on a fan spray. You will not believe the dirt that will come out of there. You can also by a adjustable fan thermostat to wire your main fan to, they have a little bulb that sits in the radiator hose. Then the fan will come on at any temp you want.
Blow the air conditioner condenser fins out with compressed air when you have the radiator removed. Getting the dirt etc. out will allow more air to move through to the radiator.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 101
Likes: 1
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
The thermostat sets the minimum or lowest operating point. As said, it also allows the engine to come up to operating temperature faster.
Once it is opened, then the system cooling efficiency comprising of the radiator, pump, engine, fluid flow, air flow, etc including ambient temperature will set the upper operating temperature or point.
I usually run at 195. But when it is 100* + air with a hot road, I run a bit hotter due to the ambient air temperature. Perhaps about 10* hotter depending on traffic and speed.
My oil runs under 200 around town but 215 on expressway after a while.
Once it is opened, then the system cooling efficiency comprising of the radiator, pump, engine, fluid flow, air flow, etc including ambient temperature will set the upper operating temperature or point.
I usually run at 195. But when it is 100* + air with a hot road, I run a bit hotter due to the ambient air temperature. Perhaps about 10* hotter depending on traffic and speed.
My oil runs under 200 around town but 215 on expressway after a while.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 3
From: Conowingo Maryland
so all you guys saying once it is onen it job is done. so how does it know when to close again?? The thermostate regulates the temp of the engine. If what some of you want to think it just controlls mim temp think amot this. unhook the fans in you car put a 160 stst in go down the highway i bet you unless you have other problems your car is going to run around 160. do the same with a 180 then a 190 the temps are going to be close to what stat you have in there. what causes this? same car only difference is the stat. or try this let the car sit the stock fans kick on at 228 but if you notice if you have a 190 stat in there the engine temp will only drop to 190 no matter how long the fans run. put a 160 stat in there again fans kick in at 228 engine temp will pull down to 160 no matter how long the fans run
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 951
Likes: 3
From: Placerville CA
Replace the stock radiator, with a new stock radiator $100 and will guarantee a drop in temps
Yup. Once the radiator is good and crudded flushing alone will not open up its nasal passages.I solved my LT1's overheating problem this way:
1) total flush, meaning removing knock sensors, surge tank, overflow tank, and running water through everything (including heater core) until all the Mississippi River mud in there was gone
2) new OEM radiator
3) new thermostat (190)
4) new coolant (of course)
5) new radiator (OK, surge tank) cap
6) several burps at the surge tank, running the engine at moderate rpms and filling the tank as the bubbles emerged.
After that it runs at a steady 185-188 on the highway and at moderate speeds. In traffic or stopped the temps still rise, so I put in two manual fan switches.
Now my baby will never see 215 again, much less the so-called "normal" highs of 227-235. It's a great relief not to have to fear traffic jams any more, watching that gauge creep up toward disaster.
OK, a little dramatic there.....
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 290
Likes: 5
From: Winona MN
so all you guys saying once it is onen it job is done. so how does it know when to close again?? The thermostate regulates the temp of the engine. If what some of you want to think it just controlls mim temp think amot this. unhook the fans in you car put a 160 stst in go down the highway i bet you unless you have other problems your car is going to run around 160. do the same with a 180 then a 190 the temps are going to be close to what stat you have in there. what causes this? same car only difference is the stat. or try this let the car sit the stock fans kick on at 228 but if you notice if you have a 190 stat in there the engine temp will only drop to 190 no matter how long the fans run. put a 160 stat in there again fans kick in at 228 engine temp will pull down to 160 no matter how long the fans run
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 290
Likes: 5
From: Winona MN
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 3
From: Conowingo Maryland
Providing your cooling system is capable of keeping the temps that low that is true but most if not all factory cooling systems can't do that. I have new radiator, water pump, belt, hoses, and 180 degree thermostat in my 88 it runs perfect and the fans are set to factory temperature settings. I see an operating range of around 197 to 225 depending on the conditions because the cooling system isn't capable of keeping it at 180 degrees. So if I change to a 160 or 195 guess what? No change because it is already over the 195 degree mark. The point many of us try to make is that if your car is overheating it isn't because of the thermostat unless it is faulty.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 535
Likes: 0
From: CA
The thermostat sets the minimum or lowest operating point. As said, it also allows the engine to come up to operating temperature faster.
Once it is opened, then the system cooling efficiency comprising of the radiator, pump, engine, fluid flow, air flow, etc including ambient temperature will set the upper operating temperature or point.
I usually run at 195. But when it is 100* + air with a hot road, I run a bit hotter due to the ambient air temperature. Perhaps about 10* hotter depending on traffic and speed.
My oil runs under 200 around town but 215 on expressway after a while.
Once it is opened, then the system cooling efficiency comprising of the radiator, pump, engine, fluid flow, air flow, etc including ambient temperature will set the upper operating temperature or point.
I usually run at 195. But when it is 100* + air with a hot road, I run a bit hotter due to the ambient air temperature. Perhaps about 10* hotter depending on traffic and speed.
My oil runs under 200 around town but 215 on expressway after a while.
WOW... what did you do to get your cooling system to run at such cool temps even in traffic? aftermarket radiator???
I also have C5 that heats up just like my C4... i checked with GM and they say its "normal" SUREEEEE aluminum parts LOVE heat
I think GM built these cars like this so they run hot and prematurly wear out components and parts and therfore might need service more offten or at least prematurly (in GM's eyes people take their car to the Dealer when it needs service and not to the back yard). how hard is it to remove the radiator?
Last edited by 69SSC5; May 13, 2011 at 01:28 PM.