Hi guys,

Just picked up a 89 camaro rs with a rebuilt 350 and the car has aftermarket gauges and the water pump temp was reading 220/230 and I know that's high, what should the temp always be at?I know 212 is boiling.

Cars radiator was 3/4 full had to add water to make it home.

Thanks in advance.

 

Then you "know" WRONG.

212° is indeed the boiling point of PURE water, at ATMOSPHERIC pressure. PERIOD. Under ALL OTHER conditions, the boiling point is something else.

The boiling point of a 40% anti-freeze mixture under 15 psi is about 270°.

In these cars with electric fans, the fan DOESN'T EVEN COME ON until the coolant temp reaches about 235°. In other words, as far as the factory was concerned (not that I'm crediting those guys with knowing how cars are supposed to work or anything radical like that; just using their design of millions of cars as a point of reference) the engine DOESN'T NEED ANY COOLING AT ALL until at least that temp.

The car should be able to sit there idling; temp creep up to 235°; fan comes on; temp drops to 210° or so; fan turns off; temp creeps up to 235°; and so forth. Should be able to do that for hours, until it runs out of gas.

Sounds like your temp is completely normal and perfect, working fine.

Fix the coolant leaks. Make sure it has at least 30%, but no more than 50%, anti-freeze in it, AT ALL TIMES.

 

The fan runs at all times.

I should have been more specific.(I was refering to water, not coolant.)

Just did a coolant flush and put in dex-cool...running great.

 

mixing Dex-cool and ethololine glycol make a nice brown goo, The only way I would do the switch would be with a brand new cooling system and engine.

 

So what is your recommendation? I don't want to have to.mix it with water.

 

I have no idea if the ethylene glycol penetrates your hoses I'm sure with scale build up its not a good idea to mix the two. Its done now with live with the consicuences if any or flush it and go green.

 

Ok, I'll just flush the system again and go get the 50/50 green coolant.

I was reading reviews and it sounds like people say to stay away from dex-cool, I have only ever owned gm vehicles and have always used dex-cool and never had any issues, so I suppose I will just switch it up and see what results I'm left with.

Thanks.