runnin a little hot

[91CamaroRS]

Got stuck in traffic today on the GSP... I watched the temp gauge go up to about 240. That's a little hotter than I'd like it to run. Any tips on how to keep the 3.1 at 200-220? I know my brother had a therm put in.. not sure if it's 160 or 180*. A friend of mine suggested changing the coolant/water mix to a 2:1 ratio of coolant to water. My dad told me to make sure the fan was working and replace the motor if it's not... Any other thoughts to add anyone?

[mgews]

Changing the thermo is a must. I would go with a 180 degree. The 160 is good, but in cold weather the car has trouble warming up. When you do this, make sure to take the time and backflush your radiator too, that can make a huge difference. Also, I have heard of people putting their fan on a toggle switch so that it runs all the time. this can be good and/or bad. hope this helps

[Phoenix]

How long ago was the thermostat put in, it could be sticking and that would cause your car to run hot when stop and once you were up and going it would cool back down.

[3.4 slow to go]

make sure your fan is working, temp shouldn't get above 220*, especially w/those pukes that have grills. somethings wrong.

[91CamaroRS]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by mgews:
Changing the thermo is a must. I would go with a 180 degree. The 160 is good, but in cold weather the car has trouble warming up. <hr></blockquote>

I already have an aftermarket thermo. Im not sure if its 160 or 180, but I know its not stock. As for having trouble warming up, I don't really need to worry about that as Im moving to Florida soon. Jersey's gettin' warm, so it'll warm up nice and quick... I just need to cap it at 220 somehow.. Im going to check to see if the fan's working, and I'm going to have my thermo and coolant system checked out.

[Colin]

F.Y.I. the 160* thermos don't work with the 3.1L V6 unless you have a chip upgrade. 180's will, but the 160's will give you all kinds of problems and errors due to the fact that the computer gets all kinds of messed up data and won't let it open at 160. Just some food for thought.

P.S.--if you're really runnin' hot after a thermo change, try a fan switch.

[ April 18, 2003: Message edited by: Colin ]</p>

[91CamaroRS]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Colin:
the 160's will give you all kinds of problems and errors due to the fact that the computer gets all kinds of messed up data and won't let it open at 160.[ April 18, 2003: Message edited by: Colin ]<hr></blockquote>

One day I wanted to find out that exact thing so I popped the hood and turned the car on... felt the big hose where coolant flows through from the radiator and when I could tell coolant was runnin through I checked the temp guage... 160*. I don't wanna sound snobbish, but what do you say to that?

[Red94Camaro]

In my IROC I have a 160 thermostat. Thats about what the temp stays at, usually 160-180. Runs great on it. And when I use the air conditioning it only goes to about 200 at highest on a hot day.

[3.4 slow to go]

thought of this a few days ago how old is coolant in system?

[91CamaroRS]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by 3.4 slow to go:
thought of this a few days ago how old is coolant in system?<hr></blockquote>

Radiator was changed in February 2002, and new coolant went in that. I've added some (some 50/50 mix and some coolant w/o water) since because it seems to like to disappear (can't smell it burning and can't see it leaking - what the hell?)

[SVD]

You might want to check underneath the front of the car. I think there is an air deflector which routes air into the engine compartment. Something might be damaged or missing.

Also, look for plastic bags or other road debris. My car ran hot for a few weeks. It turned out to be 6 feet of bubble wrap blocking the radiator. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ April 21, 2003: Message edited by: SVD ]</p>

[Colin]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>One day I wanted to find out that exact thing so I popped the hood and turned the car on... felt the big hose where coolant flows through from the radiator and when I could tell coolant was runnin through I checked the temp guage... 160*. I don't wanna sound snobbish, but what do you say to that?

<hr></blockquote>

Well, all I know is what I hear, and I hear the 160*'s give 3.1's problems, but as far as the gage reading what it did, I saw in another post on this site that the temp gages aren't worth crap and might as well have "cold and hot" on 'em. If 160*'s work, super, but for some people I guess it doesn't.

[Phoenix]

How are you suppose to read our guages anyway? Unless the needle is sitting on a number it's just a guessing game. The numbers don't give a constant sweep, the low side reads a lot more degrees than the high side. I can't remember where the gauge starts at I think it's 100 then the next number is 200 then 240, so you can't judge what half way in between is suppose to be. Does anyone know for sure?

[Colin]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Unless you get a digital monitor of some sort, so long as it's to the left of the "210" or "220" (whatever it is) you're okay. Usually, when it hits that range, the fan'll kick on. If it doesn't, or if the gauge keeps slippin' to the right, you're in for some good times.

[91CamaroRS]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Colin:
I wouldn't worry too much about it. Unless you get a digital monitor of some sort, so long as it's to the left of the "210" or "220" (whatever it is) you're okay. Usually, when it hits that range, the fan'll kick on. If it doesn't, or if the gauge keeps slippin' to the right, you're in for some good times.<hr></blockquote>

Well thats the thing.. top dead center of my gauge is 220. I saw it go about halfway between that and the high mark of 260.