96' Overheating today...sorry

Rain · 03-24-03, 11:41 PM

Sorry to post this knowing there are at least another dozen in the archives. Reading them all tell me to check the fans. Are they coming on at high temps. Test the thermostat in a pot of boiling water. See if the water pump is weeping and needs replacing.

But just to give me a bit of direction, here is what happened today.

Have had this 96 for a bit over a week. Today took it out on a house hunting trip. Maybe a bit more stop and go traffic than typical for the MS Gulf Coast. Did hit some school zones and bus stops.

Noticed the Oil Temp was up between the next two lines above 215, and the Coolant temp was up near the 2nd line above 185.

Both dropped when I would be moving. Oil eventually returned to normal. Coolant would climb sometimes to nearly the grey area at a stop light and then return to "center" when moving.

Going in for an oil change this week and a general "look over". Those of you who are not shadetree or pro mechanics, do you go to the local Chevy dealership or has your local Vette Club turned up a trustworthy indy expert to do your work???

Thanks and again I aplogize for the repeat post... Guess with warmer weather on the way, others will repeat this post....

Rain
MS Gulf Coast

wx briefer · 03-24-03, 11:47 PM

analog gauge is off of the block sensor on the passenger side of the block near the rear. The digital comes from the head sensor. fans come on around 230 without a/c on, sooner with a/c on. Sounds normal to me.

sumoboy · 03-25-03, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by wx briefer
analog gauge is off of the block sensor on the passenger side of the block near the rear. The digital comes from the head sensor. fans come on around 230 without a/c on, sooner with a/c on. Sounds normal to me.

I AGREE

Temps seem high but is normal.

vetfever · 03-25-03, 09:35 AM

My 96 runs very similarly to what you described. I just had to replace the radiator due to a leak, and did not see any change. I'm told that this is normal as others seem to think. By the way, mine is a daily driver in south Louisiana and in my driving in and around town, the coolant temp runs from 195 - 210. As you accelerate and move around a bit, the coolant temp drop and oil pressure rise with acceleration. - normal responses. I would continue to watch it and have a trusty mechanic check the system and possibly flush the coolant in case it sat up for a while with the previous owner. Good Luck.... enjoy the warm weather - we are fortunate as vette owners in the South!

CKA_Racing · 03-25-03, 09:39 AM

Yup, reading the temps you state and then thinking back of where i see mine. I'd say those are pretty low temps in those driving conditions. I've seen my oil temp go to 240 and water temps go up and down between 223 and 216 in rush hour in mind summer.

FYI - These radiators tend to crack at the upper front passenger side. They develop a crack there for some reason. Mine had a big crack but the car did not over heat until it got really bad. But still at idle I did not see it leak until i stood at the engine and rev the engine. I could see a huge spray of water shooting out from that crack.

Also check for weeping under the water pump shaft area using a small mirror. If you see signs like a water stain trail, it's time for a water pump change.

Vettelt193 · 03-25-03, 09:41 AM

Use the digital readout, they are much better. (I have been told by my corvette mechanic to not use the analog oil temp gauge at all) With the digital, the coolant temp is normal up to 230 degrees... you should notice it drop off after that to about 215. With the A/C on, the temp should be much less volitile, and hang in the 215 degree area max, but don't get surprised if it still gets close to 230 in stop and go. Hope this helps

sumoboy · 03-25-03, 10:28 AM

With the A/C on the second fan should kick in but it will still get hot since the condenser for the A/C in front of the radiator will get hot to cool the freon down to keep the head pressure for the A/C system low and that hot air passes through the radiator from the fans.

RubyDropTop · 03-25-03, 10:32 AM

The temps that these cars run at can make you very nervous if you are not used to it. Your experience reminds me of the first time I took my car out for a ride after I purchased it. I also thought that I was overheating and can home right away and flushed the system. I later found out that the temps I was seeing were normal for the car.

Your car will reach 228 degrees before your fans kick on, and then once it reaches 217 degrees they turn off. You can do things to alter these temps more toward the lower side, such as reprogramming your computer (a benefit of the later model computers) and putting in a 160 degree thermostat. The factory stat is a 180 degree.

I have a 160 stat in mine with a different chip. You may want to consider making the changes to lower the temps. It's up to you.

03-25-03, 02:14 PM

On the open hwy going say 65mph at 80 degrees you should get a reading around 195-200 degrees on the digital dont depend on the needle. In stop and go traffic your temp can go as high as 230 before the fans come on (usually between 228-230). This does not apply when the AC is on however the fans should run all the time and temp should not ever rise above 225 dergrees. The 1996 is unique because the fans are 2 speed units, you will rarely see/hear them in high mode with the AC off.

Rain · 03-25-03, 04:30 PM

Thanks guys

Not as worried as I was yesterday.
Drove it again today. Some stop and go. City traffic.
no prob on the temps.
Changing air filter today and probably find a place to do the oil this week.

Assuming most of you either do the oil yourself or go back to the dealership???

rain

RubyDropTop · 03-25-03, 04:54 PM

Change the oil myself. That way I know what was done and that it was done correctly.

Don't forget to reset your "Change Oil" light after an oil change. And if you take it to a Jiffy-Lube type place (cringe) make sure they know how to properly lift your car without damage, and that they use synthetic oil only.