I think it's radiator cleaning time
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
I think it's radiator cleaning time
It's 90 degrees, out right now. Humidity makes it 94.
Driving around for a while, i hit 237*F Coolant and 249*F oil. Time to get her down to 220 or less. The A/C on causes my engine to get sooo much hotter. I turned the A/C off for part of the drive home from errands and I noticed that my coolant temp dropped fairly quickly to about 215-220. I would prefer to never see over 200 if I had the option.
Any other recommendations besides cleaning my radiator, and adding water wetter?
I'm about to consider those fans that pump heat from the engine bay to the wheel well area, but what's holding me back from that doing is that it will heat up my brakes even more.
I have my fans programmed to turn on at 204 and off at 194. I'm going to program them to come on at 180 next time I reprogram.
[Modified by Glock'94, 10:57 PM 6/4/2002]
Driving around for a while, i hit 237*F Coolant and 249*F oil. Time to get her down to 220 or less. The A/C on causes my engine to get sooo much hotter. I turned the A/C off for part of the drive home from errands and I noticed that my coolant temp dropped fairly quickly to about 215-220. I would prefer to never see over 200 if I had the option.
Any other recommendations besides cleaning my radiator, and adding water wetter?
I'm about to consider those fans that pump heat from the engine bay to the wheel well area, but what's holding me back from that doing is that it will heat up my brakes even more.
I have my fans programmed to turn on at 204 and off at 194. I'm going to program them to come on at 180 next time I reprogram.
[Modified by Glock'94, 10:57 PM 6/4/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,411
Likes: 253
From: Little Elm TX
Re: I think it's radiator cleaning time (Glock'94)
That's kind of strange. When you turn the A/C on your automatically kick all the fans on. I've seen my temps go DOWN with the A/C on. Are you sure the fans aren't going bad. I remember you saying one had been squealling. :rolleyes:
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,171
Likes: 1,735
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: I think it's radiator cleaning time (Glock'94)
it does sound weird, did you set the fans to come on earlier while you were tuning it?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
Likes: 1
From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: I think it's radiator cleaning time (Glock'94)
What does temperature do on highway at speed around 60 - 70 mph constant? Where does it settle out after 15 or 20 minutes?
Same question with AC on and AC off.
If left to just idle in the driveway, where does the temperature go?
Same question AC on and AC off.
Do you remember what mix of anti-freeze and water you have, i.e. 50/50, 60/40 ?
Stock pump or high flow pump? Thermostat temp rating, and is it a high flow thermostat?
Same question with AC on and AC off.
If left to just idle in the driveway, where does the temperature go?
Same question AC on and AC off.
Do you remember what mix of anti-freeze and water you have, i.e. 50/50, 60/40 ?
Stock pump or high flow pump? Thermostat temp rating, and is it a high flow thermostat?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,620
Likes: 0
From: 20 forward gears to shift through in MD
Re: I think it's radiator cleaning time (Glock'94)
Curtis, I was having the same problem on my 94 until this past weekend when I replaced the intake manifold gasket, water pump, and radiator (and plug wires and belt). I wasn't sure what (or which) was causing the problem so, rather than take a chance on any one of them, I did them all. The results were outstanding! I have not gone over 186 F since (and that was with the A/C off). My primary fan is programmed to come on at 184 F so a small overshoot was expected. I tested the fix with A/C on max, stop and go traffic, with outside temp around 85 and it was solid at about 182 F. Not that I am recommending all of them to you, but it worked outstandingly for me. And I have 107k miles on mine. HTH
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,928
Likes: 1
From: More cowbell...
St. Jude Donor '04
Re: I think it's radiator cleaning time (PeteL)
Just to let you know, I pulled my radiator on Saturday, bent a bunch of the fins back to where they were supposed to be, and picked out a BUNCH of crap between the fins. I reinstalled the radiator, then drained my system, and ran distilled water through it, until it came out clear.. I then added a cooling system cleaner, and ran it through the car for 15 mintues. Drained again, and ran a bunch more distilled water through it.. Then I filled it up with about 35% antifreeze, 65% distilled water, and a bottle of water wetter..
My crusing temp went down from the 220 region, to around 200.. and my idle temp went from 225-240 or so, down to 205-215.. It mad a HUGE difference!!! :)
My crusing temp went down from the 220 region, to around 200.. and my idle temp went from 225-240 or so, down to 205-215.. It mad a HUGE difference!!! :)
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: I think it's radiator cleaning time (R94 LT 1)
That's kind of strange. When you turn the A/C on your automatically kick all the fans on. I've seen my temps go DOWN with the A/C on. Are you sure the fans aren't going bad. I remember you saying one had been squealling. :rolleyes:
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: I think it's radiator cleaning time (MarkLT1)
Just to let you know, I pulled my radiator on Saturday, bent a bunch of the fins back to where they were supposed to be, and picked out a BUNCH of crap between the fins. I reinstalled the radiator, then drained my system, and ran distilled water through it, until it came out clear.. I then added a cooling system cleaner, and ran it through the car for 15 mintues. Drained again, and ran a bunch more distilled water through it.. Then I filled it up with about 35% antifreeze, 65% distilled water, and a bottle of water wetter..
My crusing temp went down from the 220 region, to around 200.. and my idle temp went from 225-240 or so, down to 205-215.. It mad a HUGE difference!!! :)
My crusing temp went down from the 220 region, to around 200.. and my idle temp went from 225-240 or so, down to 205-215.. It mad a HUGE difference!!! :)
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,411
Likes: 253
From: Little Elm TX
Re: I think it's radiator cleaning time (Glock'94)
That's kind of strange. When you turn the A/C on your automatically kick all the fans on. I've seen my temps go DOWN with the A/C on. Are you sure the fans aren't going bad. I remember you saying one had been squealling. :rolleyes:
Both of my fans turn on at 204*. I'm going to be changing this to 180 next time i program my car.
Both of my fans turn on at 204*. I'm going to be changing this to 180 next time i program my car.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: I think it's radiator cleaning time (Denney)
Curtis, I was having the same problem on my 94 until this past weekend when I replaced the intake manifold gasket, water pump, and radiator (and plug wires and belt). I wasn't sure what (or which) was causing the problem so, rather than take a chance on any one of them, I did them all. The results were outstanding! I have not gone over 186 F since (and that was with the A/C off). My primary fan is programmed to come on at 184 F so a small overshoot was expected. I tested the fix with A/C on max, stop and go traffic, with outside temp around 85 and it was solid at about 182 F. Not that I am recommending all of them to you, but it worked outstandingly for me. And I have 107k miles on mine. HTH
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 0
Re: I think it's radiator cleaning time (Glock'94)
i have a wierd home brew fan switch which came with a thermostat, i can set it to come on at any temp, just pop the hood and turn the ****. my point is if your heating up after the fans come on, it will not help to have them come on sooner. I've tried the lower temp settings. i believe my next move is to clean the radiator.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
From: Denver CO
Re: I think it's radiator cleaning time (Rich_01659)
Cleaning the old one isn't worth the effort. It will most likely develope a leak shortly thereafter. I can get you a new one for 120 I believe. If interested shoot me a line at Zambezipt@aol.com. Gotta love my sales approach!
Cheers,
Robert
Cheers,
Robert
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: I think it's radiator cleaning time (Bob Mosaic)
Cleaning the old one isn't worth the effort. It will most likely develope a leak shortly thereafter. I can get you a new one for 120 I believe. If interested shoot me a line at Zambezipt@aol.com. Gotta love my sales approach!
Cheers,
Robert
Cheers,
Robert
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: I think it's radiator cleaning time (Rich_01659)
my point is if your heating up after the fans come on, it will not help to have them come on sooner. I've tried the lower temp settings. i believe my next move is to clean the radiator.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,620
Likes: 0
From: 20 forward gears to shift through in MD
Re: I think it's radiator cleaning time (Glock'94)
The radiator is the only one there i see that would help with engine temps. Glad it helped you! :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 44,773
Likes: 1
From: 63.8% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
St. Jude Donor '08-'10
Re: I think it's radiator cleaning time (Glock'94)
When I pulled mine the area of the radiator in front of the fans was so full of debris that no air could get through. There was a clog area shaped just like the fans. So it made no difference when the a/c was on. I had no air movement in front of the fans at all. Of course cleaning made a world of difference.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Re: I think it's radiator cleaning time (Denney)
If the intake manifold gasket is leaking (and all of the C4's are prone to this) it will cause the engine to run lean (and thus hot) because the ECM is unaware of the added bypass air and is fooled into thinking it is running rich when examining the exhaust products.
Mine was just pulled and re-done when the dealership fixed the front main seal and the notorious intake manifold oil seepage leak.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 0
From: DFW TX
Re: I think it's radiator cleaning time (Lone Ranger)
Curtis, I have the same symptoms this Dallas spring.
My fans already come on at 180 though. Temp will
stay about 185 till I turn on the AC, then it heads up
the scale quickly. It's gone up to about 227 till I turned
off the AC and the temp heads back down. I'm talking
about slow city traffic. On the highway, it doens't heat
up as much. I've got to clean my radiator out soon too.
I hope that takes care of it.
My fans already come on at 180 though. Temp will
stay about 185 till I turn on the AC, then it heads up
the scale quickly. It's gone up to about 227 till I turned
off the AC and the temp heads back down. I'm talking
about slow city traffic. On the highway, it doens't heat
up as much. I've got to clean my radiator out soon too.
I hope that takes care of it.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: I think it's radiator cleaning time (Denney)
The radiator is the only one there i see that would help with engine temps. Glad it helped you! :cheers:
Actually, any of the three can result in overheating. If the intake manifold gasket is leaking (and all of the C4's are prone to this) it will cause the engine to run lean (and thus hot) because the ECM is unaware of the added bypass air and is fooled into thinking it is running rich when examining the exhaust products. If the water pump is close to worn out, it will have much less effective flow characteristics and it too can result in running warm, this as a result of impeller wear. I can't say the GM stock pump was great, even new, but it works well enough. The radiator, well that of course is a no brainer. Since I had some minor issues with detonation prior to the intake manifold swap, I had to include it in the fix. As I said, this combo cured my problem, I can't say it will cure everyones.
Actually, any of the three can result in overheating. If the intake manifold gasket is leaking (and all of the C4's are prone to this) it will cause the engine to run lean (and thus hot) because the ECM is unaware of the added bypass air and is fooled into thinking it is running rich when examining the exhaust products. If the water pump is close to worn out, it will have much less effective flow characteristics and it too can result in running warm, this as a result of impeller wear. I can't say the GM stock pump was great, even new, but it works well enough. The radiator, well that of course is a no brainer. Since I had some minor issues with detonation prior to the intake manifold swap, I had to include it in the fix. As I said, this combo cured my problem, I can't say it will cure everyones.
I might have a intake leak, but i doubt it (engine just redone). The water pump is less than a year old. The radiator has 138k miles on it and has never been cleaned :). I know which I'm going to do first, hehe.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: I think it's radiator cleaning time (Lone Ranger)
Hey, where is the most common point where the manifold gasket leaks? I'd like to make sure mine's not leaking false air.
Mine was just pulled and re-done when the dealership fixed the front main seal and the notorious intake manifold oil seepage leak.
Mine was just pulled and re-done when the dealership fixed the front main seal and the notorious intake manifold oil seepage leak.