Overheating Problem
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Stuart Florida
Overheating Problem
Hi Guys,
Yesterday while driving my car overheated for no reason, it has no leaks but upon looking at the expansion tank I see air going to it and bubbling within the tank. There is no steam coming out the exhaust or coolant in the oil, but it heats up very fast from cold startup and stays at about 230 for a while and will gradually work up to 245, does anyone have any ideas hoping its not a head gasket and it will be something simple likw a stat or pump.
Car has Heads Cam and numerous Boltons
2001 C5 Vert/
DP
Yesterday while driving my car overheated for no reason, it has no leaks but upon looking at the expansion tank I see air going to it and bubbling within the tank. There is no steam coming out the exhaust or coolant in the oil, but it heats up very fast from cold startup and stays at about 230 for a while and will gradually work up to 245, does anyone have any ideas hoping its not a head gasket and it will be something simple likw a stat or pump.
Car has Heads Cam and numerous Boltons
2001 C5 Vert/
DP
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: 500HP FRC feels really good... NY
If you see air in the tank, that would do it. If the coolant retained it's red color with no trace of oil / turning brown, it's prob not head gaskets (I had that happen, you'd know it instantly). Have you tried "burping" the system to see if air continues to develop? If that isn't it I think you're on track with the stat and pump, prob not a big deal hopefully! 
Thread Starter
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From: Stuart Florida
Thanks for the reply.
Coolant is not brown at all but like i said I can see air coming into the expansion tank right at the tee fitting on the bottom of the tank like a little air pump.
tried starting it and removing the cap, coolant level stays right at cold but it still heats up rather quickly as opposed to what i'm used to seeing.
think i'm going to check stat and fan operation first but still dont know why the air is so consistent going to the tank.
If I dont see any problems with stat and fans think I'll do a comp. test and keep my fingers crossed. LOL
Really hope its not a gasket, dam..
DP
Coolant is not brown at all but like i said I can see air coming into the expansion tank right at the tee fitting on the bottom of the tank like a little air pump.
tried starting it and removing the cap, coolant level stays right at cold but it still heats up rather quickly as opposed to what i'm used to seeing.
think i'm going to check stat and fan operation first but still dont know why the air is so consistent going to the tank.
If I dont see any problems with stat and fans think I'll do a comp. test and keep my fingers crossed. LOL
Really hope its not a gasket, dam..
DP
Last edited by silverzip; Oct 2, 2008 at 09:27 AM.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Kennesaw GA
St. Jude Donor '10
Mine did the same thing a while back and it was a simple fix. Take off the air bridge and top shroud and get a long brush and clean out the radiator. You'd be amazed how much stuff gets between the condensor and radiator. After cleaning it all out it dropped my temps by about 30 degrees. Also found a difference in what the gage said and the DIC.
Thread Starter
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From: Stuart Florida
Something else I just thought of, when I installed Heads/Cam never retorqued heads after couple hundred miles, thinkin this leak is very small and with the Cometics maybe I should retorque and see if that fixes the problem, Anybody...
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
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From: Flagstaff Az.
Easy way to find out if its head gasket is to go to auto parts store and get test kit for CO and CO2. Take radiator cap off and stick paper in the tank. Color will tell if you have a gasket leak. 
Melting Slicks
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From: Tampa Bay, Go BUCS!!!Go Rays!!!Go Lightning!!!
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
JMHO
Good luck
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Thread Starter
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From: Stuart Florida
Thanks Guys,
Well I removed the thermostat to see if it would flow checked the waterpump by disconnecting top hose to see if i had flow and purged the system again and I'm still seeing bubbles which leads me to believe I have a small leak in one of the head gaskets dammit man, I'll do a comp. test as well as CO2 and see what I find but it looks like a head gasket to me ...
It heats up way to fast even from cold start which again comes from air entering the system.
Looks like a bustin knuckle weekend for me LOL
DP
Well I removed the thermostat to see if it would flow checked the waterpump by disconnecting top hose to see if i had flow and purged the system again and I'm still seeing bubbles which leads me to believe I have a small leak in one of the head gaskets dammit man, I'll do a comp. test as well as CO2 and see what I find but it looks like a head gasket to me ...
It heats up way to fast even from cold start which again comes from air entering the system.
Looks like a bustin knuckle weekend for me LOL
DP
Last edited by silverzip; Oct 2, 2008 at 03:46 PM.
Race Director
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From: Out of Site...Out of Mind. Corvette: anything else is just transportation.
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Mine did the same thing a while back and it was a simple fix. Take off the air bridge and top shroud and get a long brush and clean out the radiator. You'd be amazed how much stuff gets between the condensor and radiator. After cleaning it all out it dropped my temps by about 30 degrees. Also found a difference in what the gage said and the DIC.
Race Director
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 136
From: Out of Site...Out of Mind. Corvette: anything else is just transportation.
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Stuart Florida
Thanks guys,
No debris at all just had it out about 2 months ago also when I did heads/cam, just a small leak into my coolant system, the air is allowing it to overheat so I'll do a comp. test and let you guys know what I find .
DP
No debris at all just had it out about 2 months ago also when I did heads/cam, just a small leak into my coolant system, the air is allowing it to overheat so I'll do a comp. test and let you guys know what I find .
DP