Temp question again...but different..or something....
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,320
Likes: 4
From: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
Temp question again...but different..or something....
Anywho....
So I replaced my water pump and then my fan motor because it went dead too. Well, now my temps are about 7-10* higher then before and the fan doesnt seem to be able to keep it at 200* and below (ECM changed to have fan come on at 200*). The temp just slowly keeps climbing. Ive cleaned the front of the radiator VERY recently, like within the last 2 months. What might be the cause of this? I know the temps are still within operating specs, but it is higher than before h2o pump and fan motor change. Insight? I dont want to go with an aluminum radiator because the car wont see 160* during the winter if I do. How can I keep better control over the temp? Should I consider a dual main fan setup and replace my current main fan? Could my pre-cats possibly cause this change? Ive been suspecting that the 90k pre-cats are getting a little clogged.
So I replaced my water pump and then my fan motor because it went dead too. Well, now my temps are about 7-10* higher then before and the fan doesnt seem to be able to keep it at 200* and below (ECM changed to have fan come on at 200*). The temp just slowly keeps climbing. Ive cleaned the front of the radiator VERY recently, like within the last 2 months. What might be the cause of this? I know the temps are still within operating specs, but it is higher than before h2o pump and fan motor change. Insight? I dont want to go with an aluminum radiator because the car wont see 160* during the winter if I do. How can I keep better control over the temp? Should I consider a dual main fan setup and replace my current main fan? Could my pre-cats possibly cause this change? Ive been suspecting that the 90k pre-cats are getting a little clogged.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,525
Likes: 1
From: Sarasota, FL
Re: Temp question again...but different..or something.... (VetteNoob)
My best guess would be that the new water pump was defective if the fans are in fact coming on at the right temp. Is your cooling system purged of all air?
Good Luck.
Good Luck.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,320
Likes: 4
From: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
Re: Temp question again...but different..or something.... (BobMachus)
Yeah, all the air was burped out. In the evenings, the car runs just fine. On my way home just now in 83* temp, no sun, it was running at 185 oil and 180 coolant. I wonder if the ground is just getting that hot down here. Still, Id like to be able to cap the max coolant temp at around 200* without affecting winter performance.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, WV
Re: Temp question again...but different..or something.... (VetteNoob)
It's possible for that car to run that hot in the heat you guys have down there. I wouldn't suspect a water pump being the problem because they just leak. The only other thing would be a bearing gone out. In the old days there were some pumps that had fiber impellers that would come loose but the chevy pumps are metal so if the belts hooked to it and the engine's running it's pumping. I have however heard of some pumps having reverse rotation but I think your engine would be hotter than that if that were the problem. Is the air dam intact? What t-stat are you using? :confused:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
Re: Temp question again...but different..or something.... (VetteNoob)
On my way home just now in 83* temp, no sun, it was running at 185 oil and 180 coolant.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,320
Likes: 4
From: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
Re: Temp question again...but different..or something.... (vettmech)
I have a 160* stat. On my way into work just now, my climate control indicated it was 94* out and my car got up to 210* with the fan set to come on at 200*. the main reason Im even concerned is that if I had to sit in traffic for an extended time, I dont think the temp will stop rising.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: woodinville, wa, USA
Re: Temp question again...but different..or something.... (VetteNoob)
i'm having same problem with my 87 vert.new Edelbrock Victor waterpump,radiator,160 themostat, optional front fan,stock switches. both fans on and continually climbs to whatever(have had to pull over) above 85 degree outside air temp and stop and go traffic.climbs to 220 on hills. tried low temp switch but fans just keep running.in morning commute it stays at 180-190.this aint texas this is Seattle!.found out today that lower radiator hose is different for convertibles and coupes (goodyear) maybe pump is collapsing hose? :nopity
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, WV
Re: Temp question again...but different..or something.... (LT4Dan)
yes in traffic they will heat up even with both fans on and a 160 stat...... I get nervous about mine too but when I get out on the open road it cools back down so I know mine's ok ........ one other thing to check is dirt between the rad and the condensor ............ they pill pick up everything from leaves to cigar butts and candy wrappers.......... I do mine every spring and fall.......... OH by the way if you do this make sure it's someplace where the dirt that comes out wont matter to anyone ........sometimes it gets nasty :yesnod:
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Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 2
From: The Motor City
Re: Temp question again...but different..or something.... (vettmech)
VetteNoob,
Your symptoms sound alot like mine before I realized what the real problem was. During early morning or late evening drives the car's temps where fine. But if I where to drive around mid afternoon, the temps would continue to climb slowly. And the car never overheated at idle either. I did the typical things - changed the t-stat, the rad cap, upper and lower hoses, and cleaned the rad. But it was no good. As it turned out, it was the VERY early symptoms of a bad head gasket.
I hope I'm wrong in your case, but for your own peace of mind take the car and have a pressure test run on the cooling system before doing anything else. If it is the early stages of a bad head gasket, then now is the time to do something about it. If not, then at least you know what it isn't. And who knows, maybe the test will reveal something else.
Good luck with the car.
Your symptoms sound alot like mine before I realized what the real problem was. During early morning or late evening drives the car's temps where fine. But if I where to drive around mid afternoon, the temps would continue to climb slowly. And the car never overheated at idle either. I did the typical things - changed the t-stat, the rad cap, upper and lower hoses, and cleaned the rad. But it was no good. As it turned out, it was the VERY early symptoms of a bad head gasket.
I hope I'm wrong in your case, but for your own peace of mind take the car and have a pressure test run on the cooling system before doing anything else. If it is the early stages of a bad head gasket, then now is the time to do something about it. If not, then at least you know what it isn't. And who knows, maybe the test will reveal something else.
Good luck with the car.