jeremyb1988

Hey guys...I know this answer is probably already on here somewhere. I took my car to my mechanic...had a busted radiator (87 IROC 305) and it has the 2 fans on it. The one must be hard wired bc it comes on as soon as you turn the key. My question is when driving around it stays between 180-200ish...but I stopped at a fast food place in line and it climbed up slightly over the 220 marker...I'm thinking around 130-140ish??? Id say it was it was 1/3rd over the 220 marker to the 160 part...if that makes sense.

I did not have my AC on...I was wondering though is this normal when there sitting on hot summer days in NC? Or do you guys think there is a problem. I would also note, they flushed the system, put a brand new 205 thermostat in he said, and also replaced the tempearture sending unit I do believe....

TylerSteez

iTrader: (3)

the stock thermostat should be a 195* not a 205*. I would swap the thermostat out for a 195* and see where that keeps the car at.

these cars were designed to stay around 220*.

jeremyb1988

So the 195 would make it run cooler then???

jeremyb1988

It does stay around 220 riding around thru town or lower on freeway....but just when it sat during the fast food line it started to creep up to 130...140 maybe? But it didn't continue to rise. Is that okay, normal?

TylerSteez

iTrader: (3)

Yes, it will open the thermostat at 195 instead of 205.

You should also verify that the second fan is coming on when it gets up to temp. Drive the car around until it's at it's normal operating temp and then pop the hood and see if it's spinning. Don't put your hands anywhere near the fans though

jeremyb1988

Well the one left fan is hardwired into the ignition...bc everytime I turn the key it cones on...i was told the other fan only comes on when the a.c. is turned on??? I have not had the car long

TylerSteez

iTrader: (3)

I have no experience with dual fan thirdgens so maybe someone else can chime in on when the second fan kicks on. It's pretty common with these cars to have the fan hard wired to the ignition, not necessarily ideal but doesn't hurt anything really.

as long as it's not climbing too far from 220 then you'll be fine, just keep an eye on it when you're stopped for extended periods of time. id put the 195 stat in just to be factory correct and rule that out since it's cheap and easy to swap out.

jeremyb1988

Thanks man...well I usually drive in highways and not a lot of traffic...i may just cut it one flip the ignition so the fan runs and start up if I get in certain situations like that...ill change the thermostat tho

jeremyb1988

Well I felt good at least bc it wasemt climbing...its like it got to that point and stopped...so that made me feel okayish lol

jeremyb1988

Other question...when the fans come on are they meant to bring the temp down...or just keep it at the same temperature and keep it from climbing???

GeneralDisorder

iTrader: (1)

Ideally they should bring the temp down and shut back off. But that depends on how efficient the fans are, how many of them are running, ambient conditions, and so forth.

What's the ambient temperature?

GD

jeremyb1988

Its pretty hot here in NC...I bouht the car in April...temps were much coolers...but like I said...even back then the fan came on when you turned the key...even when I watched the YouTube video of the car from Gateway classic cars, the fan came on inside there climate controlled warehouse...so I assume its hardwired...I looked at my receipt mechanic gave me, and IT IS A 195 THERMOSTAT...just fyi

Bob88GTA

iTrader: (2)

Somebody in past hardwired the left fan. It should come on around 220 ish. The right side fan should come on when the AC is on and when the temp gets to around 238 ish. Then they both run till it brings temp down a little. They will cycle on and off.
Highway speed the air dam will do the job deflecting air to cool until you drop below 35mph. Then the left would normally come on as needed.

jeremyb1988

Thanks! Well as far as I'm aware the cooling system has been gone thru head to toe. I think it just needs to stay away from sitting at idle in this heat...it runs around 180 on freeway...around town between 200-200...and sitting creeps up and stays planted at 130-140...not 150 that's for sure...

Bob88GTA

iTrader: (2)

It may have been gone through from head to toe. But with a stock setup, the Left fan(primary) is controlled by a switch screwed into the pass. head. When the temp gets to 220*ish, it signals through a relay to kick on.

So, if its working, good deal.

ploegi

Primary fan (left, or, drivers side) is controlled by the ECM. Secondary fan, (passenger side) is controlled by the switch in the passenger side head.

Bob88GTA

iTrader: (2)

thanks ploegi....sometimers kicking in!

jeremyb1988

Hey guys...okay...I may have figured out the issue...so I'm not expert mechanic...but long long story made short...just bout the car in April...and just got it back from the shop like 2 days ago. I got a lot of work done to it. So I noticed there was coolent on the thermostat housing...not around the seal...but like puddled on top a bit. So I was like that sucks...all that money and yeah, now this. Anyways I thought, well maybe its leaking from the line...so I tightened the line...I took a socket to the clamp and got some good turns on it. Well I also noticed the reservoir was basically empty (I think they never filled it back up?). I did not check the radiator its self for fluid...like I should have. Anyways...drove it to work in some light traffic, then the highway (25miles)...came to work and it appeared it was not leaking around the housing...also to note, it seemed to stay much cooler...it never crept up to 220 really at all at lights, and highway it was well below...and its also hot outside like yesterday too.

ploegi

Just depends on where you are standin'.

Not holding pressure will make it run warmer..... I think once it cooled good, I would check level in the radiator.....

jeremyb1988

I waited a couple of hours...of course it was still warm...but the radiator seemed to be full of coolent...as well as pressure. You could hear the reservoir make a gurgle sound when I un did the cap...so I assume that's good...I'll continue to monitor it...it looks like my mechanic used something other than a gasket to seal the thermostat housing though ...I wonder A why he would do that and B...if that's the problem...like I said will have to monitor it is all.

jeremyb1988

Could having a bad cap on the reservoir make it not hold pressure? That thing looks like it needs to be replaced badly...its nasty inside of there lol

TylerSteez

iTrader: (3)

The resevoir itself isn't under pressure so no, but the radiator cap can cause pressure loss which would cause it to run hot. Radiator caps are a cheap and easy thing to rule out

jeremyb1988

What would be signs of a failing water pump by chance? Or when those fail you know it?

TylerSteez

iTrader: (3)

A small drip out of the weep hole of the water pump itself (looks like the bottom of the water pump is dripping coolant and running down the lower radiator hose) or it whines. you can also watch the coolant flow by starting the car with the radiator cap and looking in through the opening when it gets to operating temp. Just be looking in it when the thermostat opens. Obviously observe from afar so you don't get hot coolant in the eye.

jeremyb1988

I may try that...cant hear it or see drips...man it's weird...drove home from work. I live in Raliegh nc...and have to get on I-40 . Well I put the car thru the worst case scaniro with rush hour traffic...it did really well until this one section like 15 miles down the road...then it started getting hot past 220...tha k God the traffic cleared up bc I was this close to pulling over, got moving and it cooled down. So idk...i almost feel it's the gauge in the car being intermittent...seems to really go to the extreme...and not consistent on how fast a car cools down. It seems like sometimes I wonder man that cooled down fast and when I say fast it's like 230 to 180 in a matter of a short time...idk...i feel like it either needs a bigger fan or something...but as long as u keep it out of HEAVY traffic it does great! 180-220 all day long

TylerSteez

iTrader: (3)

Makes me wonder if there's air in the system, have you checked the radiator since the last time it was low?

jeremyb1988

Went outside after it cooled down...yupp.same. as this morning...leaking around the thermostat housing...looks like it's around the entire top area...but the bottom looks dry...from what I can tell...theres definitely something wrong...i tightened the line as well

jeremyb1988

Would tho make sense if it is cracked? It seems like it's around the front bolt...right under where it makes the 90 degree turn...would this make the thermostat not operate properly and be the reasons for the things I mentioned? Does a cracked housing damage the thermostat at all as well???