my bust.
97 vette overheating issues. Please Look!
Thread Starter
ISIS SUCKS FAT CHOAD
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,124
Likes: 53
From: Earth, United States
97 vette overheating issues. Please Look!
The car is a 97 with about 101K on the clock. I noticed while driving the car will get hot. (230-240 ish) upon pulling over and popping the hood, I noticed coolant coming from the suge tank. I read there may be issues with this. Does anyone have a surge tank thats good? How much for a new one? How do I tell if mine is bad? im leaving tomorrow morning on vacation. once I get back I will inspect the rest of the cooling system and make sure it isnt caked with debris. would a bad thermostat cause my issues?
Last edited by MVP'S ZO6; Apr 30, 2009 at 10:09 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,470
Likes: 1,170
From: Dyer, IN
The car is a 97 with about 101K on the clock. I noticed while driving the car will get hot. (130-140 ish) upon pulling over and popping the hood, I noticed coolant coming from the suge tank. I read there may be issues with this. Does anyone have a surge tank thats good? How much for a new one? How do I tell if mine is bad? im leaving tomorrow morning on vacation. once I get back I will inspect the rest of the cooling system and make sure it isnt caked with debris. would a bad thermostat cause my issues?
Thread Starter
ISIS SUCKS FAT CHOAD
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,124
Likes: 53
From: Earth, United States
I did recently just do an intake swap and during that swap I lost some coolant. Is it possible tthat Sometime between loosing coolant and refilling the system I could've got air in the system? That would cause some issues wouldnt it?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
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From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Radiator; try the upper RHS small ports, they are most likely clogged
Had this happen on a car that sat for awhile
tstat would be a good/cheap start if no foreign objects blocking rad
also, the lower shroud will cause overheat if missing
Had this happen on a car that sat for awhile
tstat would be a good/cheap start if no foreign objects blocking rad
also, the lower shroud will cause overheat if missing
Thread Starter
ISIS SUCKS FAT CHOAD
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,124
Likes: 53
From: Earth, United States
I will check that out thanks.
Just some FYI and added information for those trying to help me out
This issue just began. The car was fine and I didnt have the problem before I swaped over to the LS6 Intake.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
Likes: 227
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
did you swap out the coolant line w/ the LS6?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
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From: Waldorf MD
230-240 F doesn't seem that high, check this out:
C5 Cooling Fans Operation
The low speed cooling fan is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches 108°C (226°F). It is turned off if the coolant temperature lowers to 104°C (219°F). The high speed cooling fan is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches 113°C (235°F). It is turned off if the coolant temperature lowers to 108°C (226°F). When the A/C is on and the coolant temperature reaches 85°C (185°F), the low speed cooling fan will be turned on at vehicle speeds less than 56 kPh (35 mph).
When you have "cooling problems" always check the radiator for foreign material (grass, leaves, plastic bags, etc.), since these C5s are bottom breathers, they act as road vacuum cleaners.
Be careful, with a leak, if air gets in the radiator, Dexcool turns to a muddy, thick brown and can foul up the cooling system.
C5 Cooling Fans Operation
The low speed cooling fan is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches 108°C (226°F). It is turned off if the coolant temperature lowers to 104°C (219°F). The high speed cooling fan is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches 113°C (235°F). It is turned off if the coolant temperature lowers to 108°C (226°F). When the A/C is on and the coolant temperature reaches 85°C (185°F), the low speed cooling fan will be turned on at vehicle speeds less than 56 kPh (35 mph).
When you have "cooling problems" always check the radiator for foreign material (grass, leaves, plastic bags, etc.), since these C5s are bottom breathers, they act as road vacuum cleaners.
Be careful, with a leak, if air gets in the radiator, Dexcool turns to a muddy, thick brown and can foul up the cooling system.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,470
Likes: 1,170
From: Dyer, IN
Thread Starter
ISIS SUCKS FAT CHOAD
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,124
Likes: 53
From: Earth, United States
Thread Starter
ISIS SUCKS FAT CHOAD
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,124
Likes: 53
From: Earth, United States
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 340
Likes: 19
From: Royal Oak Michigan
Start with a new tank cap. I recently had mine go bad and it caused coolant to slowly boil off until the car was low on coolant. Then refill the cooling system and perform the GM air bleed procedure (available on the Forum, just search for it). Check for any hose leaks. If none of that helps, then look into your intake installation.
Best of luck!
Best of luck!
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
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From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Too much!
Thread Starter
ISIS SUCKS FAT CHOAD
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,124
Likes: 53
From: Earth, United States
Start with a new tank cap. I recently had mine go bad and it caused coolant to slowly boil off until the car was low on coolant. Then refill the cooling system and perform the GM air bleed procedure (available on the Forum, just search for it). Check for any hose leaks. If none of that helps, then look into your intake installation.
Best of luck!
Best of luck!
Thread Starter
ISIS SUCKS FAT CHOAD
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,124
Likes: 53
From: Earth, United States
well thermostat is fine replaced the cap with a new one a few days ago.* the* the car is better (not pissing coolant out after running on the interstate anymore) but shes still running a bit hotter then I would like.* after a highway run she kicks up to about 230ish and then the fan kicks on and brings here back down between 217-220 in 6th gear at 70 MPH shes just below 220.* it dont seem to get hotter then about 233.* the next thing im going to do is spray off the radiator with a hose.* theres no road debris in front of the radiator but maybe theres some dirt between the fins or something. i may also add some watter wetter.* id like the car to run at between 205 and 210 on the interstate.
Last edited by MVP'S ZO6; May 31, 2009 at 01:27 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,526
Likes: 20
From: Santa Fe TX
In addition to the other items people mentioned:
There is a small overflow line running from the top of the surge tank to the top of the radiator. My nipple was broken off at the radaitor.
Check that nipple.
You could also have a surge tank cap that doesn't seal.
Anything that allows the system to loose the 5-8 psi pressure it needs will lower the boiling point and allow it to heat (slightly).
on another note I feel these cars run to hot from the factory-- not unusuall to see 235 on a hot day in traffic.
I'd recommend and 180 degree thermostat + adjust cooling fans to come on earlier. low speed on at 190ish high speed on at 205-210.
Keep the temps around 190 instead of 210+
There is a small overflow line running from the top of the surge tank to the top of the radiator. My nipple was broken off at the radaitor.
Check that nipple.
You could also have a surge tank cap that doesn't seal.
Anything that allows the system to loose the 5-8 psi pressure it needs will lower the boiling point and allow it to heat (slightly).
on another note I feel these cars run to hot from the factory-- not unusuall to see 235 on a hot day in traffic.
I'd recommend and 180 degree thermostat + adjust cooling fans to come on earlier. low speed on at 190ish high speed on at 205-210.
Keep the temps around 190 instead of 210+
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
The surge tanks are about $50 for new ones depending on where you get it from. The nipple line on it will crack over time therefore the system will lose coolant and pressure. Where was the coolant coming from on the tank? Cap or other place such as the nipple line?