Radiator help please?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Roseville CA
Radiator help please?
My '97 C5 is overheating and I received some advice to clean the radiator. I removed the fan shroud and see that there is quite a bit of debris, from small weeds to big bugs. Can anyone please tell me the steps to remove the radiator and where the thermostat is located, and how to remove that and check? Thanks for any help,
Robber
Robber
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 0
From: Size Does Matter CA
First the directions to removing pretty much is available at LS1howto
You don't need to remove the radiator to clean it well, its a pain to do so, but you can.,
Also your thermostat might be the problem, do you hear your fan go on? It should at about 230 degrees or less.
The thermostat can be removed without removing anything. SImple process. Check the website out.
You don't need to remove the radiator to clean it well, its a pain to do so, but you can.,
Also your thermostat might be the problem, do you hear your fan go on? It should at about 230 degrees or less.
The thermostat can be removed without removing anything. SImple process. Check the website out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,916
Likes: 1,871
From: Hot Springs AR
How do you know it's overheating? While it's a good idea to keep the rad clear of debris, I'd hate for you to go to the effort and not see any significant results because the engine's cooling as designed.
Have a good one,
Mike
Have a good one,
Mike
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Roseville CA
It is reaching temps of 254 degrees.....im pretty sure that the fans are not running, because when i turn it off after being that hot, i do not hear the fans.....probably my thermostat and clogged radiator.
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
First, does your car overheat when the car is moving on the highway or down the road? If it doesnt the thermostat is fine.
Second, do the fans ever come on when you turn the AC on? It should!
The problem could be as simple as a blown fuse for the cooling fans. There are three fuses to check. Look in the engine compartment fuse center and find:
Coolant Fan #1 MAXI fuse 49, 30amp
Coolant Fan #2 MAXI fuse 46, 30amp
Coolant Fan #3 Mini fuse #14. 10amp
There are also three relays for the fan circuits relay 45, 43 & 44
I would clean the junk out of the radiator and check the fuses and see if that fixes your problem.
Please let me know if I can provide you with any more info. I have the shop manuals for reference.
Bill C
Second, do the fans ever come on when you turn the AC on? It should!
The problem could be as simple as a blown fuse for the cooling fans. There are three fuses to check. Look in the engine compartment fuse center and find:
Coolant Fan #1 MAXI fuse 49, 30amp
Coolant Fan #2 MAXI fuse 46, 30amp
Coolant Fan #3 Mini fuse #14. 10amp
There are also three relays for the fan circuits relay 45, 43 & 44
I would clean the junk out of the radiator and check the fuses and see if that fixes your problem.
Please let me know if I can provide you with any more info. I have the shop manuals for reference.
Bill C
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Roseville CA
Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
First, does your car overheat when the car is moving on the highway or down the road? If it doesnt the thermostat is fine.
Second, do the fans ever come on when you turn the AC on? It should!
The problem could be as simple as a blown fuse for the cooling fans. There are three fuses to check. Look in the engine compartment fuse center and find:
Coolant Fan #1 MAXI fuse 49, 30amp
Coolant Fan #2 MAXI fuse 46, 30amp
Coolant Fan #3 Mini fuse #14. 10amp
There are also three relays for the fan circuits relay 45, 43 & 44
I would clean the junk out of the radiator and check the fuses and see if that fixes your problem.
Please let me know if I can provide you with any more info. I have the shop manuals for reference.
Bill C
Second, do the fans ever come on when you turn the AC on? It should!
The problem could be as simple as a blown fuse for the cooling fans. There are three fuses to check. Look in the engine compartment fuse center and find:
Coolant Fan #1 MAXI fuse 49, 30amp
Coolant Fan #2 MAXI fuse 46, 30amp
Coolant Fan #3 Mini fuse #14. 10amp
There are also three relays for the fan circuits relay 45, 43 & 44
I would clean the junk out of the radiator and check the fuses and see if that fixes your problem.
Please let me know if I can provide you with any more info. I have the shop manuals for reference.
Bill C
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Roseville CA
Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
First, does your car overheat when the car is moving on the highway or down the road? If it doesnt the thermostat is fine.
Second, do the fans ever come on when you turn the AC on? It should!
The problem could be as simple as a blown fuse for the cooling fans. There are three fuses to check. Look in the engine compartment fuse center and find:
Coolant Fan #1 MAXI fuse 49, 30amp
Coolant Fan #2 MAXI fuse 46, 30amp
Coolant Fan #3 Mini fuse #14. 10amp
There are also three relays for the fan circuits relay 45, 43 & 44
I would clean the junk out of the radiator and check the fuses and see if that fixes your problem.
Please let me know if I can provide you with any more info. I have the shop manuals for reference.
Bill C
Second, do the fans ever come on when you turn the AC on? It should!
The problem could be as simple as a blown fuse for the cooling fans. There are three fuses to check. Look in the engine compartment fuse center and find:
Coolant Fan #1 MAXI fuse 49, 30amp
Coolant Fan #2 MAXI fuse 46, 30amp
Coolant Fan #3 Mini fuse #14. 10amp
There are also three relays for the fan circuits relay 45, 43 & 44
I would clean the junk out of the radiator and check the fuses and see if that fixes your problem.
Please let me know if I can provide you with any more info. I have the shop manuals for reference.
Bill C
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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
Thermostst is VERY simple to change and easily accessable! The T stat is on the passengers side of the engine, on the front of the engine block. Follow the radiator hose back to the engine and the T stat is behind the housing. It is NOT like the conventional thermostat that your are use to. You will need to purchase the entire housing. Might as well get a low temp stat.
While you have the T stat out, it would be a good time to flush and change the antifreeze. MAKE SURE you replace the antifreeze with the correct fluid. Only use DEXCOOL or you will damage the cooling system.
While you have the T stat out, it would be a good time to flush and change the antifreeze. MAKE SURE you replace the antifreeze with the correct fluid. Only use DEXCOOL or you will damage the cooling system.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,979
Likes: 5
From: San Diego, CA "leaf" "tee" "e"
It's easy to take out the thermostat. I wouldn't bother reusing it. It's just more hassle and more spilt coolant. The thermostat is directly below the front of the passenger side cylinder head. There 2 or 3 bolts. Remove the bolts and pull the housing off. Replace the thermostat quickly and you probably won't lose more than a pint of coolant. You can test it if you want, but it's $30, and if you have it out, you might as well replace it. I picked up a clamp tool from Pep Boys since the clamps always **** me off, but with the tool, it's as easy as can be.
