over heating HELP!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
over heating HELP!
I have a 97 C5. The car was over heating and I paid the local garage $700 to install a new water pump. Today was the first chance I had to drive it out on open road and to say the least, I was dissappointed. The car seems to run ok in traffic at low speeds and sitting and idling. However, once the car is on open road running at speeds of 65mph and above it starts to over heat. It heats up to 260 and above rather quickly. I had to pull off and let it cool down 6-8 times in about 30 miles.
I don't understand. someone please help.
I don't understand. someone please help.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Be patient Biker, I am just a novice troubleshooter and dont want to make a fool out of myself trying to trouble shoot your cooling problem, The guys here who are the REAL trouble shooters will see your post real soon and will get you going in no time flat.
But I Do have a question for you. This shop you are talking about that has your $700. Did you take your Vette to them and say my car is overheating and to please fix it OR did you take it to them and instruct them to specifically install a new water pump because your car was overheating? Now this I can help you on if you need that kind of help.
But I Do have a question for you. This shop you are talking about that has your $700. Did you take your Vette to them and say my car is overheating and to please fix it OR did you take it to them and instruct them to specifically install a new water pump because your car was overheating? Now this I can help you on if you need that kind of help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,736
Likes: 7
From: Redding CA
Something is not right. DO NOT RUN THE CAR OVER 245...PERIOD!
These engines are all aluminum...you don't want to warp anything serious. First things to check that are super easy would just be LET CAR COOL COMPLETELY!!!!!!! Check coolant level, burp for air in the system. If those two are good, go drive it...see if the burping fixed it. If it gets hot..(over 240) pull over immediately..check for leaks. I would make your first drive, heading towards that 700 dollar water pump guy..
Just keep stopping and waiting till it cools till you get to his shop and scream WTF
These engines are all aluminum...you don't want to warp anything serious. First things to check that are super easy would just be LET CAR COOL COMPLETELY!!!!!!! Check coolant level, burp for air in the system. If those two are good, go drive it...see if the burping fixed it. If it gets hot..(over 240) pull over immediately..check for leaks. I would make your first drive, heading towards that 700 dollar water pump guy..
Just keep stopping and waiting till it cools till you get to his shop and scream WTF
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Falls Church VA
Man that sucks. The most likely cause is low coolant.
Just so you know to maybe not go back to that garage...
I just replaced my water pump, a $100 part, in about an hour. Even with the markup in parts price, they still way over-billed you for hours.
Just so you know to maybe not go back to that garage...
I just replaced my water pump, a $100 part, in about an hour. Even with the markup in parts price, they still way over-billed you for hours.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Something is not right. DO NOT RUN THE CAR OVER 245...PERIOD!
These engines are all aluminum...you don't want to warp anything serious. First things to check that are super easy would just be LET CAR COOL COMPLETELY!!!!!!! Check coolant level, burp for air in the system. If those two are good, go drive it...see if the burping fixed it. If it gets hot..(over 240) pull over immediately..check for leaks. I would make your first drive, heading towards that 700 dollar water pump guy..
Just keep stopping and waiting till it cools till you get to his shop and scream WTF
These engines are all aluminum...you don't want to warp anything serious. First things to check that are super easy would just be LET CAR COOL COMPLETELY!!!!!!! Check coolant level, burp for air in the system. If those two are good, go drive it...see if the burping fixed it. If it gets hot..(over 240) pull over immediately..check for leaks. I would make your first drive, heading towards that 700 dollar water pump guy..
Just keep stopping and waiting till it cools till you get to his shop and scream WTF
except for the screaming and cussing part
(No Offense Don). Biker, if you did not diagnose your over heating problem and simply took it to that local shop to get it fixed, well, like I said, you have some civil options that I could discuss with you if he wont make it right for you. If you diagnosed your own problem and instructed them to make specific repairs there is nothing that can be done but to start over and find the real problem.
Here is some advice I have had to learn the $1200 Hard way (CLB). ALWAYS, ALWAYS, BEFORE you take your Vette anywhere for any problem, Post and check your problem here FIRST. Good Luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,736
Likes: 7
From: Redding CA
You don't have to cuss..it really maybe an easy fix but if you just had your cars water pump changed out by this guy...he had the radiator out probably and the car should have been brought up to operating temp.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: Exit 105 New Joisey
I have replaced both my water pump and my radiator and neither one required me to touch the other during the swaps. bikerman55, you need to buy some tools and learn how to DIY, my friend. My water pump cost me $140.00 plus my time (2 1/2 hours) and I replaced both my A/C belt and serpentine belts and my thermostat housing in that time. First time, no garage, in 34 degree weather! LOL 
Today I removed my leaking radiator and put in a brand new AC Delco OEM replacement for $209.00. It took me less than 2 hours.....with hand tools, by myself, in the parking lot of my apartment complex.
Now if you've got more money than time, that's another story....
Today I removed my leaking radiator and put in a brand new AC Delco OEM replacement for $209.00. It took me less than 2 hours.....with hand tools, by myself, in the parking lot of my apartment complex. Now if you've got more money than time, that's another story....
Last edited by MrHiPerf; Aug 8, 2010 at 01:45 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
I have replaced both my water pump and my radiator and neither one required me to touch the other during the swaps. bikerman55, you need to buy some tools and learn how to DIY, my friend. My water pump cost me $140.00 plus my time (2 1/2 hours) and I replaced both my A/C belt and serpentine belts and my thermostat housing in that time. First time, no garage, in 34 degree weather! LOL Today I removed my leaking radiator and put in a brand new AC Delco OEM replacement for $209.00. It took me less than 2 hours.....with hand tools, by myself, in the parking lot of my apartment complex.
Now if you've got more money than time, that's another story....
Today I removed my leaking radiator and put in a brand new AC Delco OEM replacement for $209.00. It took me less than 2 hours.....with hand tools, by myself, in the parking lot of my apartment complex. Now if you've got more money than time, that's another story....
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: Exit 105 New Joisey
Since I knew my fix wasn't working I had ordered the replacement which went in yesterday.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,736
Likes: 7
From: Redding CA
Just seeing these...you are correct. I was tired last night when I posted the response. I've had both out but thought I did them at the same time cause I had to...I guess I just had to get the radiator on mine all cleaned out and decided to pull it when I did the water pump
edit: what I mean is...he WOULD NOT HAVE had to take the radiator out at all to swap the pump.
edit: what I mean is...he WOULD NOT HAVE had to take the radiator out at all to swap the pump.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,484
Likes: 2
From: Dayton, OH HAWG: "this is Off Topic...it can get a bit north of care bears and strawberry shortcake in here"
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
My money is on air in the radiator. I had the same problem, had a thermostat go out, and decided it was time for a water pump as well. Took me a long time to get the air out, and we had to get creative with it. The burping process didn't work for crap.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
Just for starters: Have you checked for debris in front of the radiator / AC Condenser? It is easy to get all kinds of trash up there - a plastic bag will stop a lot of air flow.
You need to get in front of the car, get down under the bumper and look UP at the front of the radiator/condenser.
You need to get in front of the car, get down under the bumper and look UP at the front of the radiator/condenser.
