coolant temp?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 209
Likes: 1
From: Fords NJ
coolant temp?
I have an 03 ZO6 with a H/C package and some other goodies, i have the stock water pump with no thermostat in it and the fans are set to come on @ 170 deg. My ? is when i'm driving my car in this 90 deg wheather my car constanlty runs 226 deg and over up to 243 with the air on. Also when my coolant temp gets over 220 deg my car starts to stutter when you accelerate hard or under 3000 rpm. anybody have any ideas. i dont think its running rich, since the back of my car and exhaust tips are clean, maybe a little to lean?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 355
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County NJ
I am no mechanic but I do remember reading some posts that claim the coolant temps will actually run HOTTER with no stat installed, I would suggest to install a 160 degree stat and see what happens.
Also make sure there is no debri clogging the area between the radiator and AC condensor.
FYI - my 97 has a 160 stat with fans comming on at 170, drove the car all day yesterday in 100 degree weather, guage never went above 200
Hope this helps, Good luck
Also make sure there is no debri clogging the area between the radiator and AC condensor.
FYI - my 97 has a 160 stat with fans comming on at 170, drove the car all day yesterday in 100 degree weather, guage never went above 200
Hope this helps, Good luck
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 9
From: "Philly" Pennsylvania
Your radiator must cool your coolant when it passes through it. Without a thermostat, it may be passing thru too fast and not getting cooled. Try a 160 degree thermostat to slow down circulation so it has time to cool. If that doesn't work, try removing & cleaning (cooling fin area) debris from radiator and same for A/C condenser (this is done in car, system not broken).
Good Luck,
Good Luck,
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
From: Katy
Originally Posted by tsts
Your radiator must cool your coolant when it passes through it. Without a thermostat, it may be passing thru too fast and not getting cooled. Try a 160 degree thermostat to slow down circulation so it has time to cool. If that doesn't work, try removing & cleaning (cooling fin area) debris from radiator and same for A/C condenser (this is done in car, system not broken).
Good Luck,
Good Luck,
Must have a Tstat. I'd do the 160 like above.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 752
Likes: 1
From: Tulsa OK
Years ago, I was told by some old timers that "you just take the thermostat out if you don't need heat." These are same guys that use motor oil in two cycle engine fuel mix if you catch my drift.
The thermostat serves two functions.
1. It holds the coolant in the motor until operating temp is reached and then opens to maintain a set operating temperature range in conjunction with the fans.
2. It also restricts the coolant flow just enough to hold the fluid longer in the radiator to maximize the cooling efficiency. It would take a larger radiator to cool the fluid in a free flowing system.
If you don't have a thermostat at all, the radiator and system as a whole is not very efficient. It the winter, it will take a long time to get up to temperature and in the warmer seasons, as you have found out, it will run real hot.
Get the thermostat for the temperature range you need and you shouldn't have any more problems.
The thermostat serves two functions.
1. It holds the coolant in the motor until operating temp is reached and then opens to maintain a set operating temperature range in conjunction with the fans.
2. It also restricts the coolant flow just enough to hold the fluid longer in the radiator to maximize the cooling efficiency. It would take a larger radiator to cool the fluid in a free flowing system.
If you don't have a thermostat at all, the radiator and system as a whole is not very efficient. It the winter, it will take a long time to get up to temperature and in the warmer seasons, as you have found out, it will run real hot.
Get the thermostat for the temperature range you need and you shouldn't have any more problems.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 209
Likes: 1
From: Fords NJ
i put the 160 power stat in and its perfect again. my electric water pump took a crap on me about a week ago and i put the stock water pump back on but i couldnt find the thermostat and i had to order one, but the car was running fine until it go hot out, then it ran real hot. Well problem is fixed now, thanks again for the input
