CamaroRS_92

Ok guys, I have a 92 RS 305TBI. I've had older GM's before, but this is my first 3rd gen. I bought the car in February. When I first bought it, the cooling system didn't build good pressure due to a leaking radiator. So I put the radiator in, to find that with good pressure the intake leaked too. After doing both, the car ran around 160-180. Now that it's warmer out now, she likes to run around 220 at idle. I pulled the thermostat tonight, it had a 195 in it. For good measure, I put a new stat in (another 195). While driving, it'll hold around 180-195. Once it starts idling stationary, the temp climbs to 240, the fan comes on and it cools it to 220. My question is could this be normal? Without being too familiar with these, it's been driving me up a tree. I'm also wondering if I have an air pocket in the heater core perhaps, when I did the rad and intake, I ran the car with a bleeder funnel on it but tonight I didn't since my funnel's at work. I've heard the air pocket theory is a myth, but I've seen it happen on Chryslers at work. And just so I covered all the bases, the car has 150K on it and the water pump doesn't look very new. I'm trying to avoid spending money, so I'd like to hear that other Camaros out there behave the same way, lol.

lonestar7

iTrader: (1)

I have a 350 TPI, not a TBI, but those readings are very similar to what I get in hot weather. I think I read somewhere the fans don't turn on unless the temp is past about 230* for most 3 gens in stock configuration.

wishoradream

That's not TOO radical, as long as you are running antifreeze in it, if you're running water in it (straight water) it's boiling. But, I know they make "water wetter" and products like that, that will drop coolant temps by up to 20 degrees, if you were interested in giving on of those a shot. I don't own a tbi or tpi, just wanted to throw my .02 in there

CamaroRS_92

Yes, I have read somewhere that 230* is when the fan will kick on, my car has a single fan btw. I am running a 50/50 mix so my boiling point should be round 265. I'm ruling out a head problem right away seeing as I don't blow any smoke whatsoever, including blue smoke on idle which is pretty good considering the valve stem seal issues on 305s. And I have no blow-by at all. I'm going to bleed it right tomorrow night and see if it does anything. I have used water wetter in the past and might use it again. I threw in a bottle of BG super cool I had in the garage, but it does more for rust protection than cooling.

wishoradream

As long as you're below boiling point, (that 265 should go up with it being pressurized, I forget the exact detail/equation) and you're not seeing any water in your oil or vice versa, AND no smoke out the back. I'd say you're fine. Another thing is, sitting and idling brings the temps up pretty quickly in about anything, due to the lack of air flow from moving down the road.

lonestar7

iTrader: (1)

I've also read that the factory intended the 3dr gen engines to run a little on the warm side for fuel economy and emission reasons. a range of 200 to 220* is about what you will see under normal driving conditions.

CamaroRS_92

Exactly what I was thinking. My wife had 4 3rd gen camaros in the past and she remembered her v8 ones running hotter than other cars. Not to say I didn't believe her, she's not car stupid, I've just always suffered from car parannoia and go creating issues in my mind lol I'll see what happens the next few days, but u guys settled me down for tonight