|
|
92 Camaro w/ built 358 cooling problems.. need help!
|
|
|
| |
|
|
octane358
Novice
Dec 21, 2008, 7:56 AM
Post #1 of 8
(1379 views)
|
|
92 Camaro w/ built 358 cooling problems.. need help!
|
Sign In
|
|
1992 Camaro RS heritage edition
built 358 vortec heads holley 650 comp xr270 cam 10.5:1 compression 400hp
stock 700r4 and gears for now..
Since my new motor installation it has always ran at 160-175. My cooling system is actually over efficient, it will drop down to 130 after the thermostat opens in cold weather. I recently had a problem with my dual core jegs radiator, it would randomly piss coolant out so i replaced it. I also changed the thermostat, and after racing my buddy my fuel pump went out so i replaced that also. my motor will go from 160-210+ after 20 minutes of driving. and EVERY TIME it has overheated the radiator would be cool to touch, maybe 50-80 degrees. So that triggers to me that it could be 3 things.
- thermostat
- water pump
- air in system
I've replaced the t stat, bled the air out of the system, and when i did bleed the air out you can see the water pump working fine, i have a stewart stage 2 pump so it works great.
What other possibilities could it be? could the water pump be working too fast for my rad? Could the water pump randomly quit pumping? Could i have a small head gasket leak? I have no smoke and no coolant in the oil and nothing soupy in the valve covers or pcv valve.
Please guys help me out.. its frustrating
Note: I also noticed some steam coming out of the overflow.
(This post was edited by octane358 on Dec 21, 2008, 7:58 AM)
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 21, 2008, 8:16 AM
Post #2 of 8
(1376 views)
|
|
Re: 92 Camaro w/ built 358 cooling problems.. need help!
|
Sign In
|
|
There are probably other issues with this but anytime engine runs cooler that the rating of the thermostat you blame the thermostat for not shutting tightly. You may have one that allows some flow when shut and that might be too much for it. OE should still be fine for this IMO,
T
|
|
| |
|
|
octane358
Novice
Dec 21, 2008, 8:23 AM
Post #3 of 8
(1373 views)
|
|
Re: 92 Camaro w/ built 358 cooling problems.. need help!
|
Sign In
|
|
Well I have dual electric fans and its very cold outside so thats why during nights or cold days it can drop that low.
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 21, 2008, 8:43 AM
Post #4 of 8
(1367 views)
|
|
Re: 92 Camaro w/ built 358 cooling problems.. need help!
|
Sign In
|
|
No - feel the upper radiator hose - it should be stone cold till engine is at thermostat's temp. If even a small amount of coolant gets by thermostat it will be warm. Some thermostats use a "jiggle" valve or "V" notch to allow for purging air out better and maybe this one is excessive?
Ok: If that checks then is heater capable of overcooling the whole engine? They can but a ridiculously low temps. Air over outside of engine is almost never enough to cool an engine. Look at the extremes an air cooled engine goes thru to cool it from the outside....
T
|
|
| |
|
|
octane358
Novice
Dec 21, 2008, 10:39 AM
Post #5 of 8
(1357 views)
|
|
Re: 92 Camaro w/ built 358 cooling problems.. need help!
|
Sign In
|
|
Your cooling system always flows coolant, a thermostat doesnt restrict/ block flow. The thermostat opens to allow more flow. The only point of a thermostat is for heat in the winter and to regulate emissions for a narrow operating temperature. Try taking the cap off sometime and watch how much it flows before and after the thermostat actually opens.
But i'm going to try purging the air system at the intake which is the highest point of the system. If you guys have any other ideas let me know.
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 21, 2008, 11:29 AM
Post #6 of 8
(1352 views)
|
|
Re: 92 Camaro w/ built 358 cooling problems.. need help!
|
Sign In
|
|
WRONG! Thermostat is plug shut when closed - and stays that way. Coolant is pumped all the time and flows thru the bypass system for the water pump to continually mix the coolant inside the engine to keep it an even temp. Some folks will take thermostats out to make an engine run cooler to cover a problem which only opens the metered port opening of a thermostat beyond specs and water pump will just cool the front (or that end as applicable) and the far end will overheat and not be noted by gauges or idiot lights but can even boil far away and frequently can cause head gasket failures due to uneven temps with relatively large metal blocks like heads, manifold and block.
GM engines are routinely used as marine power and salt/raw water cooled with a whole ocean of cold water and would never warm up or run right if so much as a trickle got by thermostats.
Ok: At ambient temps of -20 or more I'll allow for airflow over engine to make a difference. It does take the entire engine longer to warm up but it still gets to the same temp inside at -20 and 100F - SAME!
Not sure on this Camaro but heater core may be used as the bypass to mix engine coolant while waiting for thermostat to open and flow always constant. Heat request temp may be diverted air rather than diverted hot coolant.
When the bypass system is defeated for any reason it has to be re-engineered to continue mixing coolant or there will be hot spots that may just show up at random speeds and could also make cold spots do that as well.
Put a thermostat in a pan and watch the thing. It's a plug! Some are damn near air tight and only open when warmed which is a problem with tons of vehicles to purge out air when coolant has been lowered for any reason and needs refilling.
Allowing an engine to run at various temps all the time is a sure bet of early failure. Without even temp the fuel wouldn't atomize evenly and cause loss of efficiency first and other problems as well. Fuel must evaporate - it doesn't "combust" to get you power as a liquid!
Plenty of GM small and big block engines are used and don't have a heater but must have thermostats. Dragsters don't bother with even water pumps and just let the dang things explode and redo the whole thing every couple miles - different objectives.
As said - this engine's upper hose should remain cold till thermostat starts to open. If you feel heat in that hose especially as far as the radiator it's slipping by and shouldn't.
The idea: Coolant always flowing but only to radiator thru thermostat thru upper hose to radiator to be cooled and returned thru lower hose to engine. When a heater is involved it gets a shot at usually an overwhelming amount of heat an engine makes and they still engineer where that comes from and returns so as to not allow for hot and cold spots within the block of the engine. Uniform internal temp is a must.
Some thermostats are a pest to install and can get bent/fall out of exact place when installed and will overcool the engine and sometimes don't leak at the housing. New or not - if coolant is actually 130F and can stay there then the thermostat must be letting it cool and that's wrong.
Some GM water pumps are directional for counter rotating engines! That could be a problem in reversing the direction of water flow and confuse a thermostat.
Some trucks and most dual engined marine (right side) engines spin opposite way using the same looking parts at a glance but are internally reversed. If you have the wrong water pump on this is could be the whole issue or a big part of it,
T
|
|
| |
|
|
Jeff Norfolk
Enthusiast
Dec 21, 2008, 12:05 PM
Post #7 of 8
(1345 views)
|
|
Re: 92 Camaro w/ built 358 cooling problems.. need help!
|
Sign In
|
|
Awsome!! You are the grand daddy of cooling system guys! Great post!
Jeff
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 21, 2008, 2:34 PM
Post #8 of 8
(1339 views)
|
|
Re: 92 Camaro w/ built 358 cooling problems.. need help!
|
Sign In
|
|
Thanks - especially coming from you - a pro yourself.
Surprised you read that much of my crap as I'll never learn how to be concise
T
|
|
| |
|
Auto Repair Home
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
mdma pills for sale : WhatsApp +33758633852
Drive Shaft Repair
2006 Toyoto Camry XLE Driver Side Electric Window Trouble
Grounding Cable, 2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk
equipment
