My car really heats up with the air on.(I live in Florida, today it was 80) I've had temps around 240-260, when I have the air on, so lately I haven't been running it. But here in about 3-4 months it'll be unbearable in that car.(April/May) Do any of you guys have any ideas why it's running so high?


Syxx

 

I dislike you! Just kidding we had a whopping 42 deg hight today.

When was the last time you flushed the radiator or replaced the thermosate? You might want to try these I had the same problem this summer 2 weeks after it was close enough for me (215) my radiator popped.
Is your fan working?
If yours radiator does pop I suggest you get a 3 core $130. cTell the parts people you have a V8 so they dont hassle you, If it happens.
Good luck.
SSC

 

Is your air dam underneath the bumper on?


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

 

The air damn is on and is still rigid. I replaced the stock fan with an electrical one. The radiator is a little over a year old, so I don't think it would be that. I might need the thermostat replaced but that couldn't be it either. When i run the car without the air on, the temp is around 200(195 T-stat), so that it's the case either... I'm at a loss really.


Syxx

 

Do you have the PROPER shroud and fan combo?
Your AC Condensor generates heat, which is why you are getting "hotter".
What about freeway speeds, etc.
Hell, it got to high 30's here out in the hills of Los Angeles, last night.
Love it!

------------------
Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

At highway speeds it all depends on the time of day, I went out this morning and drove on the highway the temp was about 200-205. if i'm driving at night the temp is cooler..obviously

Syxx

 

With those temps and avarage air temp of Florida I see no reson why you should not run a 180* thermostate and a more water oriented coolant mix. That should get the temp perfect. I would also check the connections on the fan to make sure that its pulling air instead of pushing. If all else fails try some water wetter.
Good luck!
SSC

 

I have water wetter in the coolant. I also know the fan is pulling rather than pushing, it was one of the first things I checked..

 

Replace your thermo, flush the system, use more water and let us know what happens.

 

I take it you have an 82-84 (you said you added an electric fan)? Did you use a stock f-body fan from a junkyard? Did you rig the fan to always be on, instead of coming on at 230 degrees (by using the junkyard car's fan switch)?

How fast does the car get up to operating temp w/out the air on?

Is there anything stuck between the a/c condensor and the radiator?


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

 

I have an 89, I have the fan on a switch, I can shut it on or off. Normal operating temps without the air running is 205-220(heavy traffic).

 

220 is not that bad, but I would gues your fan is not big enough or fast enough. Go to a bone yard and pull a stock setup, that should work better. Your new fan may not be far enough off or have a big enough shroud too.

 

I had this problem and I think its the gauge.
I did all the things recommended on this page and still had the problem.
Watch you gauge when you turn on the AC, mine would start to rise as soon as AC was ingaged and fast by leeps and bounds. I removed the thermo and it ran a little cooler. I check the engine heat by holding my hand over the engine and also for a boilover condition nothing was noticed unusual. That's why I think it may be an electrical problem between the AC and gauge.

 

Be careful because an overheating AC can cause alot of problems. My brother had a few problems occur, so dont use the AC until its fixed! My borthers radiator fan went out because of a shorted out wire and him continusing to use the AC with the car running hot. I worked as a tire guy, but we had mechs there he diagnosed the problem.I replaced the fan,shorted fuseable wire, and the coolant sensor, since it could have been dmaged.