Please help the unhelpable

[Anuanu]

I have a 1996 camaro Z28 with what i think is a overheating problem. Temp range is 160(cold)-260(Red-veryhot) the middle is 210 and i would say at a idle my car can get up to 240ish. Can anyone help me? This is what exactly happens, when my car hits about 240ish i believe the fan kicks on and the temp comes down to around 210-220 but then goes right back up to the 240ish area. On really hot days i would say it never goes below 225. Any ideas?




Things i have done already:
Replaced Radiator
Put a 195 Termostat in
Flushed system
Replaced anti-freeze

[wrightz28]

Originally Posted by Anuanu

Put a 195 Termostat in

Ahh, what about a matching cap? Either way, rule of thumb, when replacing the stat, replace the cap, a faulty cap causes the system to not pressurize, and the pressurization is what raises the boiling point.

Also make sure there is no air stuck in the system, jack the front end up so that the radiator neck is the highest point in the system, fire it up with the cap off, and I'll lay a couple of bucks on the table there will be asome air pockets coming out.

[Anuanu]

The cap isnt but a couple of months old and i doubt there is any air pockets in it because i had a chevy mechanic replace the coolant about 1 month ago.

The really only things im not realy sure about is that i know there are 2 electric fans on the radiator and not sure if both are running. Is one used for low temp and the other for high temp? also the heater core...not sure if thats a issue also.



EDIT: dont you mean bring the rear end up? consider ing my radiator sits at a angle faceing towards the interior.

[wrightz28]

Doesn't matter who serviced it, it is a very comon issue after the system has been opened.

On the fans, one is for when the a/c is on, (right side normally) and the other is for engine cooling. Should come on around 230 and off at 205-210. one option also is the OCM could be reprogrammed to ground the fan at a lower temp aswell.

On the edit? you jsut want the openin as the highest point in the system which normally requires lifting the front end.

[Anuanu]

Ok ill give that a try. But if i dont see any air pockets what else do you think i should look at? Also is it normal for 1996 camaro z28 LT1 5.7L V8 to run at around 240ish?

[wrightz28]

It's not far out of the range at all. As stated the, fan doesn't come on until after 230.

[Anuanu]

Well i guess the reason why im scared about it is cause if 160 is the lowest and 260 is the highest it looks like the redline starts at 250 and theres a white line right before that which im guessing is either 240 or 250... I have never seen a car go above the middle line. Which in my case is 210. Just yesterday my Overflow tank overflowed which means its getting really hot but i didnt notice any boiling. I dont know what else to say. I love my car and have already put so much money into it to just keep it in great shape. Im just scared that if the engine over heats and frys a piston or something then ill have to give my car up because the repair bill will be to far out of my range

[Anuanu]

Ok i just went out side to mess with my car and there were no air pockets in the system, So i called NAPA up and the guy told me a few things that im actually suppose to have a 180 stat in there but its not bad that i have a 195 because my system still is above the middle 210 mark and he also told me about a flap right under the bumper that directs air up to the radiator , when i went to check that flap it was actually down preventy air from going to my radiator so i ziped tied it up and will later check to see if my engine stays a decent temp. Also he told me that the cap and stat are good maintenance tools so i will go buy some new ones and put them in. If after all that and it still gets hot he told me that the fan may be working but maybe not spinning as fast as it should be spining and would need to be checked out.


If any of you can think of any other ideas what could be wrong and you please let me know so that i may check it.

[Rally Sport]

Wait.. this 'flap' you zip tied it so it doesnt hang down anymore or what? Im confused on that part

The 'flap' which is called an air dam is there to put air up to your engine and cool it off.. so let it hang down, also if is broken or something, that too would cause your engine to overheat a bit.

[Anuanu]

Yes this piece was not suppose to be hanging down there are 3 holes in it where screws look like they use to go and attach to my frame right before the radiator. When i zip tied them up i can so where my air is suppose to goto to my radiator.

[Anuanu]

Here is a better "visual" so you can see what im talking about


Other differance is my car is red


http://img184.imageshack.us/my.php?i...asssideaq6.jpg

[Rally Sport]

Oh I get it.. thats weird, but have you checked yet if that was what caused it to keep overheating?

[Anuanu]

Not yet but in about a hour i will

[wrightz28]

yeah I believe that's just a debris guard to stop gunk (leaves) and whatnot from getting clogged inbetween the radiator and condensor like the 3rd gens.

[Anuanu]

ok i just tested it and its great my temp never go above 210 untill i was at very low speed like 10mph or was at a stop. Now i wonder why is it still able to get that high at an idle. Im thinking that one of the previous owners of that vehicle or maybe a car dealer changed when the fan should turn on/off