chevy91z28

These last few record setting hot days my fans have not been cooling my z28. it'll stay at 190 all day on the freeway just replaced air dam and k&n filters. i think my fans are not working at full capacity. their both on a 20 amp toggle to the battery. i know the fans draw 15 amps each and my switch isn't good enough, but also the stock 100 amp alternator has been taken out for a 60 amp (wasn't me).

i went to echeck today and it was at 210 when they finally got me in their and i had my fans and their big fan on and when i got back in it was at 235!! i let it sit for 20 mins with the hood open b4 i left my blood pressure was about to explode.

sound like a problem here? are my fans not working at full power?

Coyote850

iTrader: (1)

Silly question here. Before we had these record hot days did you notice it running hotter? Whats you mixture of water to coolant?

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

235 isn't to bad,the fan turns on at 230.Now when it hits 260 that's when you worry!!!

chevy91z28

when i got the car april 3rd it had lots of problems and overheated till the heater core blew. since i've put 1200 (heater core was 230) into it and i'm just cautious since its been overheated before.

i just drained coolant for stop leak (pin hole) and ended up putting to much coolant in its probably 70/30

when im driving around ill turn on the fans at 210 and if i'm at a light it'll climb in about 75F cool weather

TreeFiddy

There's been a lot of these threads lately, as people discover their cooling systems are only marginally working and the unusual heat is overwhelming them.

For starters this sounds like a recipe for slow fans. Especially with TPI, which has greater electrical demands.

chevy91z28

yeah, i haven't even needed my fans till this last week. they sound pretty fast but i guess not, i cant wait to get that little alternator out of their.

TreeFiddy

Also add a couple of relays up front to switch the current for the fans, you're probably dropping a bit of voltage running the full fan current thru the cabin, switch and back.

Use your toggle to switch the relays at the very least, or ideally get some kind of automatic fan controller. Sounds like the factory fan controlling is long gone?

Dakota W.

Did you follow the directions on the stop leak EXACTLY? It is good at plugging stuff up. also check your connections in the wiring, make sure they're clean and making good contact.

chevy91z28

when i bought the car one fan was wired constantly. we did follow the stop leak directions i dont think its that its been using up coolant good, driven a good 500 miles this week (new exhaust). the wiring harness is hacked all over, lot of wires that are grounds and 1 or 2 live ones that dont go anywhere (taped.) also fuel pump, ignition, and fans where wired to one 30 amp fuse under the hood? the fans now has its own fuse under the hood, plan on replacing lots of stuff come winter.

treefiddy - when i go get my autometer tach and kickdown cable fixed ill have those relays put in.... and get at least a 50 amp toggle?

im 19 so im just getting started on my camaro journey

TreeFiddy

Sounds like nasty wiring - was this a lazy engine swap by the po? Running all the critical functions through 1 fuse = stupid idea.

If you are sticking with the toggle switch for fan control, you can just use the same one. That's the point of the relays, to handle the heavy current rather than the switch.

chevy91z28

the guy i got it from was obviously cutting corners and trying to do stuff himself he really shouldnt of been doing.

i woke up this morning and thought id do some laps on the highway i do 2 laps pull in the driveway and go to the bathroom...then my girlfriend is screaming for me and steam is pouring out the hood. the main radiator hose to the block sprung a holeafter the car was off for about a full 60 seconds.

man everything is past its miles on this b**** anything that had an indent had a puddle

TreeFiddy

Heh, welcome to the world of 25 year old pos cars! Till you've really gone through 'em, you can't just drive 'em like new ones and not expect the odd problem or two

Dakota W.

Driving it while it's broken isn't going to help...

chevy91z28

dakota - that doesn't make sense... i've put 1200 (only 200 in labor) into it i better be able to drive it, theirs just the occasional cheap fix like a radiator hose.

treefiddy - i can feel that its getting close to being complete i cant wait for winter projects

major problem #1 - been ran up a curb and bent frame by previous owner, also not the right tires because they wont fit from frame damage so speedometer is quite off (has 70r15s 225)

that's the only real problem but theirs a big list for the winter.

Dakota W.

If it's running hotter than it should be, I wouldn't be driving it, that's just asking for trouble man. I'd figure out why it's running hot and then fix it.

Coyote850

iTrader: (1)

This.

Drive it short distances to diagnose the problem. Eliminate things as you go. I know thats what you are trying to do, but you need to dig alittle deeper. Maybe talk to some mechanics you trust to see if they're ran into the same problem.

chevy91z28

coyote - thats all i ever do to be honest since i bought the car i just went in a rectangle through my neighborhood and just recently started doing laps on the highway. my best friends uncle has done a few things for me for 25$ an hour, he normally charges 65 but things are slow and he knows im not that wealthy. im bout to have him put in mechanical tach (stock one is buried past 7) and fix my kick down cable because its not kicking into down gear when i lead foot, i want him to drive with me and do a point inspection.

dakota - i dont really know if its running that hot unless i hit every red light. the problem is the fans are not doing jack but keep it even im getting the relays this weekend with turn signal lights all of the front ones are just missing i dont know why i havent done it sooner.

bowtie1983ss

I have had my 1988 IROC-Z 5.7 for over 10 years. The engine temperature has always climbed in 80° + days and if the A/C is running, forget it! IT's going to climb to the top of the temp gauge! I tried other fans, 180° thermostats, running the heater, etc... nothing worked. Finally, I put a BE COOL radiator in it... and bam! 100° day outside with the A/C running and stuck in stop and go go traffic for an hour.... never hit 220° on the gauge! Get a bigger radiator.... BE COOL to be exact.

bowtie1983ss

Oh... and put a JET-60600 Fan Switch in the passenger side cylinder head! It turns on the Heavy Duty fan at 195° and off at 185° !! The factory doesn't turn on the second fan until the engine hits 230° or more! That is too hot! these cars just weren't properly designed on the cooling. I love my Chevrolet's and my Camaro, but the engineers screwed this one up and you have to take measures to do it right.