LT4 Way too hot!!
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 57
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From: Florida
LT4 Way too hot!!
We recently had our 96 LT4 in the shop for an oil leak,it turned out to be a bad seal or worn shaft bearing?We went out the next night to look at Christmas lights,you have to drive fairly slow in these neighborhoods 10 to 15 mph or so.Within minutes the temp gage was up to 240 degrees,the outside temperature was cool 55 degrees,I dont beleive I have ever seen it over 210.So we went home,checked the radiator resevore,it was bone dry,let it sit over night still dry.My guess is that when they removed the water pump to do the repairs then put it all back together they didnt replace what coolant was lost during the repair?what do you think?Also what should be an average running temp on this vehichle,our manual is not clear on this.Also shouldnt there always be some level of coolant in the resevore? Thanks guy's Chuck and Sue :confused:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,535
Likes: 2
From: Rochester NY
Re: LT4 Way too hot!! (bronctwo)
Look like they forgot to fill the coolant and get the air out. That is a bad shop. I would not take the car back there ever again.
Unless you have a big leak? then you would have known because it would smell coolant.
Bruce
Unless you have a big leak? then you would have known because it would smell coolant.
Bruce
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,306
Likes: 242
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Re: LT4 Way too hot!! (bronctwo)
There should be a line on the expasion chamber for fluid level cold and one for hot. If they didn't bleed the air out of the system you could have developed an air lock.
I'm not familiar with the cooling system on a LT4 but if there is a cap on the rad did you open and take a look inside ?
Your main cooling fan should have come on before you got that hot so the chance of low fluid and/or an airlock could be possible.
Did you hear the fans running ?
I'm sure someone with a LT4 will chime in and set you straight.
Good luck
:cheers:
I'm not familiar with the cooling system on a LT4 but if there is a cap on the rad did you open and take a look inside ?
Your main cooling fan should have come on before you got that hot so the chance of low fluid and/or an airlock could be possible.
Did you hear the fans running ?
I'm sure someone with a LT4 will chime in and set you straight.
Good luck
:cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 3
From: Clearwater FL
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: LT4 Way too hot!! (bronctwo)
240 is definately too high. Mine gets to 232 before the 2nd fan kicks on and drops the temp. There is a procedure for bleeding air in the system on the thermostat. I'm not sure what it is exactly, but if no one chimes in with it, I live close to you and have the shop manual and I believe it is easy to do. Regardless, i'd fill the expansion tank to the correct level asap. :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
Re: LT4 Way too hot!! (bronctwo)
There's a brass bleed valve near the top of the waterneck where the upper radiator hose connects. Crack the bleeder open while filling the coolant reservoir tank (where the radiator cap is). You'll hear the air escaping from the bleed valve while you fill. When the system is full, you'll get a little dribble of coolant out of the valve. FWIW, I always lay a towel around the valve to prevent coolant from running down the front of the engine onto the Opti. Idle to operating temp, let cool, and then recheck the coolant level. Top off as necessary (usually little to none).
If the shop removed the waterpump....
If it still overheats after filling with coolant, they may have forgotten to reinstall the collar that goes between the waterpump driveshaft and the waterpump. If they forgot the collar, the waterpump isn't spinning and no coolant is flowing. Everything has to come apart to install the collar if they forgot it.
If the shop removed the waterpump....
If it still overheats after filling with coolant, they may have forgotten to reinstall the collar that goes between the waterpump driveshaft and the waterpump. If they forgot the collar, the waterpump isn't spinning and no coolant is flowing. Everything has to come apart to install the collar if they forgot it.
