Cooling Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 182
Likes: 1
From: Burlington Ontario
Cooling Question
Hey Guys
Here in Ontario we have had some pretty hot and humid days. My C5 does not like that.
The car will heat up as hot as 249F. As all you know, that is just mm away from red line. It never goes above that but it makes me nervous like crazy. I blew the engine in my M3 like that.
My question is,
Can I upgrade the fans or Rad to help the car stay cooler? Currently, everything is in good factory running shape. Ive noticed that some guys recommmend changing the settings so that the fans kick off sooner?
Any input (as always) is highly valued.
Thank you gentlemen for your time.
Rod
Here in Ontario we have had some pretty hot and humid days. My C5 does not like that.
The car will heat up as hot as 249F. As all you know, that is just mm away from red line. It never goes above that but it makes me nervous like crazy. I blew the engine in my M3 like that.
My question is,
Can I upgrade the fans or Rad to help the car stay cooler? Currently, everything is in good factory running shape. Ive noticed that some guys recommmend changing the settings so that the fans kick off sooner?
Any input (as always) is highly valued.
Thank you gentlemen for your time.
Rod
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 1
From: Littleton Colorado
Before changing anything, clean the radiator fins. Do some searches here, there are some good write ups around. Basically, you use compressed air to blow out all the dirt and whatever, blow from the fan side of the radiator and do the same for the AC condensor. You will be surprised how much dirt will come out. This could be your only problem, but be sure to check your fluid level as well. If its low it can cause problems.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
249F is NOT OK. Way too hot. You need to check and make sure that the radiator is not externally plugged up by things like plastic bags, leaves, sticks, stones, sand, grass, etc. These cars are bottom breathers and suck up everything off the road. One member posted a pic of the remains of a large dead frog stuck to the radiator. Clean out the outside from the back with the pressure from a garden hose. Also check and make sure that the fans are actually running. You could have blown fuses, bad relays or one or motors may be bad. The factory setting are for both fans to come on at low speed when the engine reaches 226F and go off at 219F. Both fans come on at high speed at 235 and go off (to low speed) at 226. If you are running the AC the low speed fans come on at 185. At speeds above 35MPH the fans go off irrespective of temp because air flow through the radiator is better with them free wheeling than running.
Check your coolant. If it is muddy brown you need to flush the system. If you are unsure when the last time the coolant was changed, get it changed. Coolant is good for a maximum of 5 years or 50,000 miles which ever comes first. Also make sure the cap on the surge tank is sealing properly. If not replace it.
Check your coolant. If it is muddy brown you need to flush the system. If you are unsure when the last time the coolant was changed, get it changed. Coolant is good for a maximum of 5 years or 50,000 miles which ever comes first. Also make sure the cap on the surge tank is sealing properly. If not replace it.
HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!
8VETTE7 and MATTB are correct That is way too HOT! You can LOOk in the front of the radiator shrowd for trash BUT,,,,,,,,,unless you remove the plastic cover off the TOP of the radiator that covers the AC Condensor and the radiator, you missing a major area that can be colgged. That 1" space between them can become very dirty.
Back flush the radiator coolant fins with a garden hose on direct stream and inspect. If that isnt the issue, change the coolant and thermostat and make SURE that you do NOT exceed the coolant/water mixture required for your area. CANADA doesnt get HOT! What is it like 75 degrees???
BC
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!
8VETTE7 and MATTB are correct That is way too HOT! You can LOOk in the front of the radiator shrowd for trash BUT,,,,,,,,,unless you remove the plastic cover off the TOP of the radiator that covers the AC Condensor and the radiator, you missing a major area that can be colgged. That 1" space between them can become very dirty.
Back flush the radiator coolant fins with a garden hose on direct stream and inspect. If that isnt the issue, change the coolant and thermostat and make SURE that you do NOT exceed the coolant/water mixture required for your area. CANADA doesnt get HOT! What is it like 75 degrees???
BC
8VETTE7 and MATTB are correct That is way too HOT! You can LOOk in the front of the radiator shrowd for trash BUT,,,,,,,,,unless you remove the plastic cover off the TOP of the radiator that covers the AC Condensor and the radiator, you missing a major area that can be colgged. That 1" space between them can become very dirty.
Back flush the radiator coolant fins with a garden hose on direct stream and inspect. If that isnt the issue, change the coolant and thermostat and make SURE that you do NOT exceed the coolant/water mixture required for your area. CANADA doesnt get HOT! What is it like 75 degrees???
BC
I just cleaned my radiator this weekend , was not having your issues, (but my crank bolt came loose and the pulley almost walked off. ) While I was reinstalling my new pulley obviously had to pull the radiator..wish I would have taken a picture for you!! So much crap under there, and I had just cleaned it about a year or two ago.
