My 90 RS (bone stock) with 114,000 on the clock had overheating trouble this summer. I only drive the car from April to August. Two summers ago, I noticed that the car would get hot enough in my commute to work (10 miles in moderate city traffic) to kick on the fan (approx 220F). (this is a single fan setup, correct?). This past summer, the car would get very hot, up into the red area on the temp gauge (260) in the same traffic conditions. This time, I don't believe that the fan was coming on at all. What are the recommendations of the experts? thanks

[This message has been edited by 90RSErik (edited September 14, 2001).]

 

RED AREA????!!!!!!!!! CRAP!!! you could easily have cracked a head or block. Never let it get a line past 220. Pull over or put the hot vent on if you have to

------------------
-Tas
'89 Formula WS-6

305, TBI, auto, 14x3 chrome flat based open element with K&N, Milodon 160* thermo, functional Formula hood, cross-flow Flowmaster, '99z28 rear pipes and tips....

To be installed eventually far far far into the future: Yours if the price is right and I don't have to ship :
Hooker 1-5/8" 50 state legal headers, Dynomax 3" I pipe (PN 44063 and 43248), Catco 3" cat, and injector spacer.

Super GRK_Taz World
F-Body Dual Exaust
EFI & Intake Options
AOL IM: superGRtaz

 

it is not likely that you cracked a head or even lost a head gasket unless yopu are using a lot of coolant. check you water pump, if it is old, the seals may be bad and it may not be working at full volume. one easy thing you cna do is with the car cold, take the cap off of the radiator. start the engine. have someone rev the engine while you look in the radiator. if the pump is working well you will see the water rush and drop down in the end tank. if it stays slow or does not seem to change level, the pump is toated.

hope this helps
later
tim

------------------
91 Camaro RS-LO3,Auto.
14.209@95.46mph
Best 60' 1.917
Check Out The East Coast F-Body Nationals Home Page
www.geocities.com/njspeeder

My MAFB.ORG Home Page
www.mycar.net/mafb/registry/detail.cfm?id=299

DSI Racing Home Page
www.geocities.com/foff667

 

If you want to lower your Fan turn on temp you can get a Fan switch from a 87-89 Grand national. I believe that they turn on at 185* Do a search on the DIY-PRoM board and find out the part number.

-Lars

 

If the fan is not coming on, check your connection at the fan switch sensor (sticks out of the passenger side head). I had to reconnect the wire to my sensor because it came out when i did my headers, didnt find out it was disconnected until my 90 RS overheated. Very easy fix.
If that does not work, ground the wire that goes into the sensor, if the fan does not come on, then you might have to replace the fan motor.
Get a 82-92 Camaro service manual, there is list of about 10 or so things you can do to check what is wrong.

------------------
1990 5.0 TBI
1 5/8" Edelbrock TES headers, 3" Catco hi-flow series cat, 3" Aero-chamber cat-back, K&N 14x3 flat based open element, MSD 8mm Heli-Core plug wires, AC delete

 

Here are your possible culprits:
-bad fan relay switch (located under the block) hence no relay to fan to operate
-stuck thermostat
-fan motor not working. To detemine if the fan is working, put on air conditioner and the fan should kick in instantly. If not the motor need to be replaced.

 

I noticed when I was very low on oil the engine ran hotter than normal, even when on the highway.

------------------
92 Camaro RS, LO3, 5-spd, T-tops

Performance:
K&N Open Air Filter, Edelbrock performer TBI intake, Fastchip Prom, Timing +4 degrees, Centerforce clutch, Xact 8mm wires, SLP 1 3/4" Headers (coated), Flowmaster Catback Exhaust, Z28 Grille w/aftmkt fog lamps, MacEwen white-face guages
Electronics:
Alpine 8030 Alarm System, Valentine One Radar Detector (How did I ever drive without one?), Pioneer DEH 7450 Head Unit w/6-pack CD changer, Pioneer DEQ 7600 Sound Processor, 2 Kenwood KAC-846 Amps powering 2 12" Pro Red subs, 2 Pioneer 6x9 and 2 MTX 4x6 speakers.
NEXT UP: TBI mods, 3.42 gears w/Torsen posi

 

when low on oil the car wil run hotter!! check your radiator too... if it is all rusted (the water passage ways) it will also cause it to run hotter... in order for it to overheat that quick it is most likely one of 2 things fan or thermostat... some of us do had problems with these cars getting hot too!
Shawn

------------------
91 RS 5.0 TBI
14x3 open element.. i liked alot
160*stat... made my car run a lil cooler
msd coil and taylor wires ...not noticed
with ac delco plugs.. i like but not noticed
removed rear hood seal.. runs cooler i liked
accel cap and rotor..not a real mod
coming soon 3.42's with slp posi.. my first big mod!!!
lt1 cam shaft in the mail!! now 2 big mods to do!

Clarion cd player 2 planet audio 6x9's 2 tweeters and one MTX 10" sub in a bandpass all running off 2 separate 200w amps gotta love the f-body trunk, system hits!!!

 

My fan stopped working one day in traffic and the car got to 254 degrees. Ended up not hurting anything, but it was a helluva pressure test for the system!Anyway, I found out that the reason was the connector on the fan switch, (after 220,000 miles) had been subjected to so uch heat for so long (exhaust heat) that it disintigrated! Seriously, all that was left was the wire and the pin, so it fell off.I tie-wrapped it back on and it worked fine.Didn't actually replace the connector until I replaced the motor.

------------------
1992 RS,5 Speed,T-Tops,Eibach Springs(cut), KYB's, Lakewood Trailing Arms and Adjustable Panhard Bar,Posi Disc Rear,3.73 Gears,Summit Rearend Support Cover,
Del-A-Lum Bushings,300 HP Crate Motor,Crane Comp-U-Cam,Edelbrock TBI Intake, Turbo City Ported Throttle Body and Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator,Open Element
Air Cleaner, Ground Control Strut Tower Brace and Caster/Camber Adjusters,SLP 1-5/8" Headers,Flowmaster 3" American Thunder Exhaust,3" Cat,Centerforce Dual
Friction Clutch,Hayes Billet Flywheel,B&M Power Steering Cooler,Big Thumpin' Stereo.