ok, here we go again,
1995 formula, 113k miles
the engine has a problem with getting warm, a few months back the temp gauge maxed out and coolant spewed out of the resevoir. i figured the thermostat was sticking so i let it cool overnight and the next morning i changed out the thermostat.
it ran fine until about a month later, the same thing happened, except no fluid spilled out. so i changed the thermostat again.
i inspected both thermostats and neither have any gunky buildup on them.
now, when the car warms up and it idles, it sits at about 240 +- about 15 degrees as to where before it would always sit at 160 no matter what. once the car starts to move the temp will go back down to 160ish and when the car is idle, it goes back up.
im thinking the fans are going out or maybe something else is at play...any thoughts?
Full Version: lt1 gettin hot
Paul,
Sorry to hear of the cooling problems. If your LT1 engine is stock, then the fans are turned on by the oomputer program at 242F and off at 221, unless the A/C is on, then the engine will run much cooler--generally around 195 to 205F. If nothing has been done to the computer program, the engine will generally run at just above the thermostat rating on the hwy and it will turn on the fans, in town or idling at 242 and turn them off at 221. So, a 180 thermostat is called a 180, becuz that is when it STARTS to open--it is fully open by 205 give or take.... A 160 thermostat starts to open at 160 and is fully open around 185 give or take a few degrees.
That's the background info. However, if the engine was running "normally" before and isn't now, then you should suspect the fan turn on solenoids (located in that black plastic box on the left fender liner) or the fan motors. The fan motors do wear out and 113K is probably old age for a fan--senility is setting in and it would be a good idea to check for draggy bearings. You can check the solenoids by substituting a headlight solenoid for the various (I think your car has three of them) fan solenoids and see if that helps. Also, there are two temp senders on the engine--one at the waterpump and one in the left hand head. I believe the one in the head furnishes info to the temp gauge and the one in the waterpump sends info to the PCM (computer). If the sender in the waterpump was removed and lubricated with anything, it probably isn't sending correct info the PCM. It should be removed, cleaned and re-installed. If that doesn't work, then it should be replaced--do not lubricate the threads with anything.
Hope this helps.
Sorry to hear of the cooling problems. If your LT1 engine is stock, then the fans are turned on by the oomputer program at 242F and off at 221, unless the A/C is on, then the engine will run much cooler--generally around 195 to 205F. If nothing has been done to the computer program, the engine will generally run at just above the thermostat rating on the hwy and it will turn on the fans, in town or idling at 242 and turn them off at 221. So, a 180 thermostat is called a 180, becuz that is when it STARTS to open--it is fully open by 205 give or take.... A 160 thermostat starts to open at 160 and is fully open around 185 give or take a few degrees.
That's the background info. However, if the engine was running "normally" before and isn't now, then you should suspect the fan turn on solenoids (located in that black plastic box on the left fender liner) or the fan motors. The fan motors do wear out and 113K is probably old age for a fan--senility is setting in and it would be a good idea to check for draggy bearings. You can check the solenoids by substituting a headlight solenoid for the various (I think your car has three of them) fan solenoids and see if that helps. Also, there are two temp senders on the engine--one at the waterpump and one in the left hand head. I believe the one in the head furnishes info to the temp gauge and the one in the waterpump sends info to the PCM (computer). If the sender in the waterpump was removed and lubricated with anything, it probably isn't sending correct info the PCM. It should be removed, cleaned and re-installed. If that doesn't work, then it should be replaced--do not lubricate the threads with anything.
Hope this helps.
I would definitely check the fans & switches. Does one fan come on with the A/C?
QUOTE(Tyler @ May 28 2010, 01:02 AM) 
I would definitely check the fans & switches. Does one fan come on with the A/C?
just a helpful hint and something easy, my LT1 did the exact same thing and it was easy as a new radiator cap
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