fires155

Alright, Im going to take it from the top. Tell me what yall think.....

69 Camaro. LS1 out of an 02 Vette.

5 days ago, my temp shot up to 250 (gauge is a 100-250 scale). Since I have owned the vehicle, it averages 180-200 driving, 210 at idle. So I FREAKED. I pulled over and all of my coolant came gushing out. Took it to my mechanic. Fortunately, it was a small problem. The guy that owned it before me just stuck a cheap rubber cap over the end of the hose coming out of the bottom of the radiator (right side). And the fan disconnected itself. New coolant, new cap, BOTH fans running, no problems. I left with the vehicle and it went up to 250 in about 5 minutes. Mechanic asked me what temp Im usually at. I told him the 180-200 range. He says thats too cold and this engine needs to average 215-225. We drove it around for awhile and it averaged 215-225. FIRST QUESTION - Why did my temp range change? Im glad it did because apparently I was running too rich, but what would cause it to change?
I go on....
Now, after the engine has been cold all night, I take off in the morning and after about 20 minutes, it goes up to 250. It stays there awhile.....then runs like **** (laggy acceleration). It does that for maybe 10 seconds......then drops to the 215-225.

Ummm......WTF?


Sorry its long winded, I just want to be detailed.
Ok LS1Tech, yall have steered me right numerous times before....work your magic!

RARON455

iTrader: (35)

I dont see you mention the thermostat, You did replace it right,,that would be step one,,Are you sure the fans are working,,What are you using to control the engine systems, a factory setup or a standalone system. My car does not run that hot, mines always right at about 200

fires155

I didnt replace the thermostat. Think thatd be a good idea?
The engine isnt getting that hot. Im able to grab the radiator hose without much discomfort.

The fans are definetely working.

Im not sure what you mean by 'control the engine's system'.

Thanks!

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

be sure to bleed all the AIR out of the system........when it has air in it it does not cool

fires155

Is that when you open the radiator cap, pour in fluid, then let it burp it all over the pavement?
Did that.

fires155

Now the fan is out. This is just wonderful....

highgear

If you run at 250 degrees, you have a problem. Maybe your temp gauge is off??
I run at the standard factory Thermostat at 186 degrees. I also have a manual Fan switch for when the PCM does not kick the fans on.

nwalton29

iTrader: (7)

had the same problem in my 5.3 truck, had to replace the radiator.

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

takes more than opening the cap to bleed the air.........i undo the hose by the throttle body.....fill the rad till coolant comes out of it........top off.........run engine.....til hot......put rad cap on and drive it to op temp.............cool down and top off again......2 or 3 times will get all the air out

RARON455

iTrader: (35)

what I meant by what are you using to control your engine is this, You state that it is in a first gen camaro, To make the engine run you have to have a computer, when doing swaps, some folks scab in a factory ecm setup, and some use aftermarket standalone systems, This is important because if it was a factory system anyone with tuning software who is familiar with the GM system can hookup and see whats going on with your engine. With a standalone system it may not be that easy. YES a sticking thermostat can cause this exact kind of problem. and Yes air in the coolant system can cause this kind of problem. I would put a new thermostat in the car, then jack the front of the car up so the radiator neck is the highest point in the cooling system, fill it with coolant and make sure that it is full. You can run the car till the thermostat opens, then make sure the system is full. Then see why your fans wont work. hop this helps