00 vette overheating
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
00 vette overheating
Hi, my mom came home today and said that the gauges said somthing like coolant temp high, I check it out the thing is at 255f (so says the digital gauge, the analog is in celsius). I was like holly ****, So I turn it on and the cooling fans are on and the temperature lowered to about 148 and wouldent really go any lower, so I shut it off and letting it cool of this way. My first guess is that the thermostat is fubared/stuck because the temp wouldent lower with the coolant flowing. How should I go about fixing this? I can drain the coolant and replace the thermostat, but Should I test stuff first or could it be the water pump or such? When the car was running I could see coolant pouring in to the tank on the top (overflow tank?) Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,583
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From: Erwin, NC
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 5
From: Stark County Ohio
If the thermostat is stuck a small amount of water may flow, but not enough to cool.
Are the fans working? Both fans? Turn on the air-conditioning; this should cause both fans to run continuously at normal engine temps.
If the coolant is old that could be the cause or at least contribute to the problem.
Yes debris accumulates between the radiator & condenser AND in the fins of both. If this is determined to be true, you can remove the upper radiator support (after removing the intake above the radiator) to get a better look of what’s in there. Smaller debris will be difficult to see as that type can hide in the fins themselves. GENTLY flush water and/or compressed air back through the fins (engine compartment out towards the front) to remove most of the debris.
Wear safety glasses, especially if using compressed air. Work carefully so as to not damage the radiator or condenser.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 11,710
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Not to scare you but when mine started running hot I had a blown head gasket.
But check the simple stuff first. If you cannot track it down, have someone take a sample of the coolent and take it for a gas analysis. That's how they found my problem.
But check the simple stuff first. If you cannot track it down, have someone take a sample of the coolent and take it for a gas analysis. That's how they found my problem.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Went out and bought a thermostat, and am gonna try that even though it seems the coolant is flowing. Also when I start the car the top little tube that looks to be coming from the radiator to the top of the coolant tank is always pouring into the coolant tank even when cold, but I dont know if thats normal or not, but I checked identifix and most people reported trying thermostats and it eventually being the water pump.
Also im gonna check in between the rad and condenser, see if theres crud in there like you guys said.
Also im gonna check in between the rad and condenser, see if theres crud in there like you guys said.
Last edited by geforce6688; Jun 30, 2009 at 07:57 PM.
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Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Ok, looks like there was a good amount of crap in there, like pollen and grass and ****, so I hit it with air as best I could but the fan shroud is in the way so I cant blow it towards the front of the car. You sure it would be ok to flush it with water? I think I am gonna go to harbor freight and see if they got like a 2 ft long blow gun to get between the fan shroud and radiator.
Last edited by geforce6688; Jun 30, 2009 at 09:00 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Yes, you can use water. I created a real simple water wand with 1/4 inch copper tubing and a hose to tube adapater from a home store. Works real nice and costs next to nothing.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Cleaned out the radiator, drove it around and it hit 245 again, I felt the bottom hose coming from the thermostat and it wasent real hot like the top hose was, so im going to be replacing the thermostat tomorrow, will post results.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
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Ok, drained the coolant at the pet **** on the bottom of the radiator, about a gallon and a half came out, replaced the thermostat, filled it up with about another gallon and a half, runs at 190-195 now. Seems to be all fixed, and now I dont have to worry about the radiator being clogged up for a while now.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,470
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
Ok, drained the coolant at the pet **** on the bottom of the radiator, about a gallon and a half came out, replaced the thermostat, filled it up with about another gallon and a half, runs at 190-195 now. Seems to be all fixed, and now I dont have to worry about the radiator being clogged up for a while now.