New build. Coolant circulation issue? Overheating
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,547
Likes: 210
From: Huntersville, NC
mmm not good. Time to pull the plugs and have a look-see. It is frustrating when you go so deep in a build and you have to chase a problem like overheating. Be sure to pull the dipstick and look for foam, a sign a bit of coolant got in the oil too. A head gasket will swap fluids in a blink.
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 255
Likes: 8
From: Cedar Rapids Iowa
mmm not good. Time to pull the plugs and have a look-see. It is frustrating when you go so deep in a build and you have to chase a problem like overheating. Be sure to pull the dipstick and look for foam, a sign a bit of coolant got in the oil too. A head gasket will swap fluids in a blink.
Still worried about the puff of smoke but I'm hoping it's just a bunch of extra fuel. I have 25% extra fuel over what the last time was.
Already in the air and I will fix the pump and pull the plugs tomorrow.
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 255
Likes: 8
From: Cedar Rapids Iowa
Okay update time. I have the car in the air. Fuel pump and fuel level sensor have been replaced with a racetronix setup. I pulled the plugs. They are all pretty black but nothing crazy (I have to replace two because I cracked them on the way out). I also put and endo scope in all 8 holes and did not see any standing fluids in the engine. #3 had one mark on the cylinder wall but nothing terrible.
One ne thing I did notice was coolant leaking down with the nose of the car in the air but when I got the back up the leak stopped. It is on the front of the engine just off center on the passenger side. All the water pump bolts are torqued and no loose hose connections. Do these pumps have weep holes that I might only be seeing at that angle? Seeing it under pressure?
One ne thing I did notice was coolant leaking down with the nose of the car in the air but when I got the back up the leak stopped. It is on the front of the engine just off center on the passenger side. All the water pump bolts are torqued and no loose hose connections. Do these pumps have weep holes that I might only be seeing at that angle? Seeing it under pressure?
Last edited by AtlasInTheGym; May 10, 2017 at 04:25 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 255
Likes: 8
From: Cedar Rapids Iowa
Coolant leaking is not good. You mentioned you had a NEW pump. Should NOT weep unless it were bad around the bearing.......
Check your local parts store to see if they have a radiator pressure testing device for loan (usually a fully refundable deposit when you return it). Pump the system up to 18 lbs and get the car back in the air. You may be able to see or hear a leak with pressure on the system cold. Pressure should hold at 18lbs for hours at least. IF not then that would definitely be a reason for over heating. Remember 3 degrees per pound of pressure is what you loose on coolant boil point as pressure goes down. Once the coolant begins to boil (it does this first at the contact surface between the metal and coolant) the issue spirals very quickly causing the overheating.
Check your local parts store to see if they have a radiator pressure testing device for loan (usually a fully refundable deposit when you return it). Pump the system up to 18 lbs and get the car back in the air. You may be able to see or hear a leak with pressure on the system cold. Pressure should hold at 18lbs for hours at least. IF not then that would definitely be a reason for over heating. Remember 3 degrees per pound of pressure is what you loose on coolant boil point as pressure goes down. Once the coolant begins to boil (it does this first at the contact surface between the metal and coolant) the issue spirals very quickly causing the overheating.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 255
Likes: 8
From: Cedar Rapids Iowa
You mentioned a new water pump was installed. Did the original T'stat and T'stat cover get reused on the new pump?? The original design for the LS1 water pump has not been available for 10-12 years. A newer design that requires a different T'stat and T' stat cover is the replacement. While the pump itself is bolt onto the block, the T'stat and its cover are very different. If the old T'stat and cover were used on the new pump it is impossible to seal the system. Here is a thread about this issue:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-opening.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-opening.html
looks like I will be pulling that apart too.
Last edited by AtlasInTheGym; May 10, 2017 at 08:42 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 255
Likes: 8
From: Cedar Rapids Iowa
Okay got the water pump replaced. Temps are at 205 on the freeway and the highest I logged was 221 on surface streets at low speeds/ in traffic. But much cooler, now I need to get it tuned because drivability sucksssss
