d1drifter

I have a 305 with a electric fan on a key switch. The guy that had my
Car last said he had took a radiator/and electric
Fan out of at 92ish model TA and put it
In my 85 trans am.well it been hitting
The 100s here in good ol Arkansas. My car runs
Normally around 180ish but it been hitting around the 220
Hash mark I the gauge. Is never does that. Last summer
It never hit 220 degrees. I've notice that my overflow stays at the same
Level all the time. Could this indicate bad thermostats.
Last time I check the air dam , it was in good
Condition . My friend says it ok that it runs that hot.
I jut don't want to have premature head gasket
Failure !!!

355sleeper

iTrader: (4)

I would say that 220 for being 100 degrees out is fine. As long as its not boiling over, you are fine

BlueWrath92

iTrader: (1)

Thats wierd mine is doing the exact same thing in Virginia...outside temp has been in the 100's and my car temp always stays 180 and has been 220 even 225. it will cool down slowly when Im at idle or parked....I have a 180*stat and hypertech 195* fan switch..... Its wierd I dunno either. But I just swapped thermostats today for another 180 and its doing the same thing.

355sleeper

iTrader: (4)

If i were you guys i would pull the stat and run without one and when it gets colder put it back in

BlueWrath92

iTrader: (1)

What I dont get is why will it cool down at idle but not while driving? I know people talk about the air dam but mine is fine... could it be something with the intake?

BlueWrath92

iTrader: (1)

d1drifter, you figure anything out? I replaced my water pump its doing the same thing, it wont pass 220* but still hotter than usual. Does your car slowly cool down while park or idle?

BlueWrath92

iTrader: (1)

I was explained that a leak in the collant system will cause the overflow to not be sucked backed into the radiator because pressure is being lossed wherever the leak is. A Bad radiator cap will do the same. Weill im off to find a leak. I dont think its a head gasket the car runs too good.

camaro2

Are you loosing coolant? If not run your car until it gets up to operating temperature shut it off and let it set a couple of minutes. Then put on a glove and give the top radiator hose a squeeze and see if still has pressure. If there is pressure in the hose than you should not have an issue with a leak in your system and it should pull fluid from your overflow tank when needed, if your radiator cap is working properly.

BlueWrath92

iTrader: (1)

How long should the system hold pressure for?

camaro2

It should have pressure until it cools down. Something else I would try. I would put the fan on a relay and get it off the keyswitch. Usually running it off the keyswitch you will get a small voltage drop, that will slow your fan down enough to make a difference. And running the fan off of the key puts a strain on your electrical system. The relay kit power source can come right off the battery. You can buy relay kits for fans pretty cheap. I have even bought relay kits from local parts stores for under $10, you will need a toggle switch to activate it, or a heat activated switch. Another thing you might want to do is wash the fins out on your radiator. I try to do that periodically. The bugs and road grime will add up over time and reduce the efficiency of your system.

Zach/90\irocZ

iTrader: (6)

if its running around 220 thats normal temp for a thirdgen these car naturally run hot i had 305 before and im here in cali and it ran 220 all day and trust me you will know if its a head gasket blown it wont last a week driving it daily depending how bad it is and if it is a head gasket you would prob see air bubbles and your overflow due to piston putting air into the system you can use a colder thermo stat but your fans will turn on still at 220ish you need a chip to turn on fan sooner did you try to flush your radiater system ? but from what you post theres nothing to worry about like i said before these cars run hot and when it overheats it overheats quick lol another option if you that worried is to run fans all the time