Running Hot
Running Hot
After driving for about 10 min, not real hard, the temp goes above the 220 mark and when i'm sitting the electric fan doesnt go on untill its a little ways above the 220. I'm running a 350 with Headers and intake. What should i do first???
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Joined: Jan 2001
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Car: 99 Formula
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 342
Is this motor the original from the factory. If so then, I wouldn't worry because they were designed to run warm. Unless you get into the red range. If you don't like it running that warm, get yourself a lower stat, maybe a 180*.
I just noticed your screen name and take it that's the car you have? Then the motor isn't factory.
Does it only get warm in traffic? or highway, both?
Check your lower radiator hose, radiator cap, and air dam.
I just noticed your screen name and take it that's the car you have? Then the motor isn't factory.
Does it only get warm in traffic? or highway, both?
Check your lower radiator hose, radiator cap, and air dam.
Last edited by Mark A Shields; Feb 17, 2002 at 07:23 PM.
A common mistake that is made in these cars is assuming that they are running hot, when in fact they are made to run fairly warm to reduce emissions. If you don't like how warm it runs you can do a few things:
1. replace the thermostat with a lower temperature one
2. run a higher concentration of water instead of coolant, or add water wetter or a similar product
3. replace the fan switch with one that activates the fans at a lower temperature or make a manual fan switch
As is, these cars turn the fans on at about 230 degrees to cool the car down. They come from the factory with a 195 degree thermostat. I'll admit that 220 after ten minutes is a rather quick warm up, my car takes double that to reach 160. You may have some obstructions infront of the radiator, a thermostat that does not fully open, air pockets in the cooling system, or a worn water pump. Since you aren't overheating I'd rule out the collapsing lower radiator hose.
The first thing I would do if I were you is check the air dam and radiator for problems, then replace the thermostat with a 180 degree one while flushing the cooling system. Then I would run a 50/50 mix of water and coolant. Hope that helps.
1. replace the thermostat with a lower temperature one
2. run a higher concentration of water instead of coolant, or add water wetter or a similar product
3. replace the fan switch with one that activates the fans at a lower temperature or make a manual fan switch
As is, these cars turn the fans on at about 230 degrees to cool the car down. They come from the factory with a 195 degree thermostat. I'll admit that 220 after ten minutes is a rather quick warm up, my car takes double that to reach 160. You may have some obstructions infront of the radiator, a thermostat that does not fully open, air pockets in the cooling system, or a worn water pump. Since you aren't overheating I'd rule out the collapsing lower radiator hose.
The first thing I would do if I were you is check the air dam and radiator for problems, then replace the thermostat with a 180 degree one while flushing the cooling system. Then I would run a 50/50 mix of water and coolant. Hope that helps.
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