I know what the problem is, I dont have the airdam on right now but it just seems backwards. I have the fan wired to run all the time at an idle it wont heat up but as speed increases so does temp. Why wont the fan pull the same at high speeds as it will at an idle. Is some kind of low pressure created where the fan cant pull as much air?

 

I don't have a airdam on my firebird either, but mine don't get hot. However I did have this problem last summer and I found a blown HEAD GASKET it was pumping air back into my cooling system, I would suggest going and getting a carbon monoxide check done also known as a block check, you can get this done at any local shop and will cost around $20. My car would stay cool at a idle but get hotter than hell when going down the road the faster I went the hotter it got. Hope I Helped


I DRAG 2

 

I've seen this happen when the coolant flows too fast throught the radiator.

It doesn't have time to cool correctly.

Is the thermostat stuck open?? Maybe missing??

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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

R.I.P. #3
My favorite quote about D.E. "He can see air"

 

I have a 180 stat I dont think it is sticking its new. The waterpump is a edelbrock.

 

once you put that air dam on youll see a huge difference

 

I had the same happen to me when I replaced the cooling fans. I thought the fans where not pulling enough air. Well, during the rewiring I got the wires backward and the fans were trying to push the air forward. So the faster I drove the hotter it got.
If you did rewire your fans to run all the time, check to make sure they are flowing in the right direction. This might seem dumb but it happened to me.

 

You do have it backwards!!!!

The air dam is a spoiler. It disturbs the high pressure air going UNDERNEATH the car
and creating a high pressure spot between the motor and the radiator. The high pressure point winds up behind the motor.

Also your fans being wired all the time become a restrictor for the incomming air.
The fans only push enough air to equal 35-40
mph. They are not like a mechanical fan that will move a TON of air when the clutch fan kicks in.

 

A partialy clogged radiator will also give the same symptons. Just enough flow to cool at slow speeds but not enough when speeds increase.

Steve

 

Fans being wired to be on all the time IMO isnt the best idea... That aside, check your lower radiator hose. There is supposed to be a spring in there, and it probably is corroded/missing and the hose is collapsing.

 

Your main problem is that your air dam isn't on like was said before!! When the car is sitting still the fan is able to suck the air in through the radiator..... at high speeds the air is flowing so fast from the front of the car to the back that it leaves very minimal air for the fan to pick up and therefore you don't get the amount of air you need to cool the car!!

However, you could also have a weak or back thermostat! Just because it's NEW doesn't mean it's good!! I've had my fair share of "stuck" thermostats straight from the box! Not to mention many other parts that were bad straight from the parts store!

 

I had this problem one time, but it turned out to be a plastic bag that had gotten sucked up in front of the radiator. You just never know!

 

Uh oh, here we go again


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

I finally found some screws to put the airdam back on. The lower Hose dosent Have a spring. Its time for new hoses anyways My old hoses are getting bloated and mushy. I also have a CSI Water Temp Fan controller That I will put in.

Thanks everbody Ill let you know what happens

 

Did I miss something Tom??

I have had that happen...put a 180 in it (the thermostat was missing) and away it went. I think that they had the wrong radiator in it to begin with. I don't know.

The most likely suspect is the rad being plugged a little or the air dam missing here.

------------------
ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

R.I.P. #3
My favorite quote about D.E. "He can see air"