Artic White

I have a 92 RS that will get hot when I run the air and it's about 80 degrees outside. I've tried to clean the condenser and in between the condenser and the radiator.

I think I might have a slightly stretched serpentine belt, could this be a cause? The car will stay at just below 220 without the a/c on when it was a 100* in San Jacinto, I don't live here just frequently visit.

The car will stay cool on the freeway in the heat. Ie below 220. Just does it in stop and go.

What the car does have:

160* thermo
A radiator that may have 20% blocked off
A cooling fan that stays on all the time when the engine is running, bought the car like that.
128,000 miles.

Any suggestions as to what might be the cause? I'd rather just replace a smaller part then the radiator if need be.

Guro 305

I can only be a bad thermo, bad fan or bad radiator.

Are you 100% sure the fan is ON all the time? Did you check to make sure with the key turned but engine off? 160 degree thermo? I would heat that sucker up to 180 but hey, that's just me.

You said the car is getting hot, but not overheating correct? When was the last time you gave the radiator a good flush. I mean, from what I'm reading from your post it sounds like the car is fine. It's not unusual for them to get warm, but as long as it isn't overheating then you are fine. Start with the basics. Check your fluids, make sure your fan is working, etc.

Artic White

Well I guess I'm just to scared to get it too hot. I will shut off the a/c if it gets above 220*.

How can I verify if the fan is on constantly? It is on when the key is put into the run position so I know that for sure.

The coolant was flushed when the tanks on the radiator were done about 2 years ago. Also I don't think that the radiator cap has ever been replaced.

Also what problems would I run into if I continue to run a 160? Versus a 180?

Guro 305

Well it's not that strange to see it get that hot with the A/C off. I'm not exactly sure at which point the fans are supposed to kick on to cool the radiator off but I believe it's between 220-235 with the A/C off.

These were designed to be on when the A/C is running and turn on when the radiator reaches a certain temperature. In regards to the fan, it's real simple. If it's on all the time like mine is, then you will hear it kick on as soon as you put the key in. Just stick the key in and turn it but don't start the car. If you can hear the fan spinning with the key turned over but the engine off, then it's running all the time.

The only negative I have read to the thermo being 160 is that the cars thermo's factory operating temp is 190-195. At 160 the engine is getting cooled quicker and more constant so some say it hurts gas mileage.

Reid Fleming

iTrader: (2)

The 160 vs 180 is a moot issue unless you drive the car in winter time near freezing temperatures. When I lived in British Columbia, driving at anytime at all late spring-early fall, the car would sit on 175° (160 stat and 1st fan on at 172, off at 165.....the fan would never shut off. Wouldn't get cold enough)

When I switched to the 180 stat and 1st fan on at 190 off at 185, the car started running at 180. The 1st fan would turn on and off every so often. But not all that much.

In California/Florida weather, you'll never see 160. Even 180 is considered good.

Nasphreak29

From everything I read...your car is fine. GM made their engines to run hot EI: 210-220. Now once and if you start hitting 230-240 then you should really start worrying.

And from the sounds of it your car only has a single fan setup? Unlucky you, if you want to get it to run cooler You should maybe look into a dual fan set up as well. The first fan will kick on at about 220ish and the second one with the AC on, or when the temp hits 240 or so. Meaning if your afraid and think its running to hot, just flip the AC on and it should start cooling down.

and from what I have seen about the 160 vs. 180 some people like the 160 some people like the 180. If you don't think one is working right, try the other. And if you still don't feel right. Either go back to stock(195) or try out one of the 170s

Guro 305

Correct. Never seen better then 180.

Artic White

Well it will get over 220 and start to head toward the 240 mark really quick so I get nervous and turn it off. I didn't drive the car today to see if it would overheat and quite honestly I'm worried about doing so.

Even if my single fan runs all the time, is it possible for it to not do so when the A/C is on?

Also I don't live where the temps are above 80 usually it's just when I visit my girlfriend in the summertime.

My new concern is that when it started to get really up there in temp, the a/c was on MAX and it started to get a little warmer. So could that also be a sign of the compressor not spinning fast enough due to a stretched serp. belt?

sailtexas186548

iTrader: (2)

i have the same problem, im in houston, so its gets HOT and HUMID , with a zz4 and HSR i'm running a stock radiator w/ stock twin electrical cooling fans, and a 180* thermo, i see 150 moving w/ the a/c off, 170 sitting a/c off (amazing for the summer i know, the car is tuned VERY well), and i see 180 exactly when goin 60mph pplus, but sloer than that or in stop and go it climbs to 220 then i shut the a/c off, i have both fans on all the time, clean cooling system, i think the a/c in alot of heat just is too much for the stock radiator. but to answer your question , the a/c will get warmer when the car gets hotter, more heat = less coldness, mine does it like clockwork when the car gets too hot, so its not a stretched serpt belt

Artic White

Well the problem is it will climb over 220 and start to head toward 240 so I think there is something wrong.

I did buy a 180* thermo and a new radiator cap to try to see if that could help me at all

Reid Fleming

iTrader: (2)

How are you getting 150° with a 180° thermostat?

In Houston the humidity plays more of a factor in cooling performance than the temperature. Hard to exhaust heat into a muggy day. All the concrete in the city makes for hot road temps too. I imagine lowering a car would just make it run hotter.

FWIW, those BC temperatures I mentioned above were 75°, 30% (summertime ) conditions, no traffic. Even then, 175° was the best it got driving around town with the 1 fan on all the time....On the highway I actually did see the temp gauge swing all the way down to 160 only to bounce back and forth between 160 and 175. But that was at night on an empty freeway with about 65-70° ambient temperature, no humidity.