Help needed on overheating problem!!!
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2
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Help needed on overheating problem!!! Hello, I'm new to ls1 tech, but I've used it for years. I'm having an overheating problem with my 98 camaro ss 6 speed. It all started when the power steering pump cooler failed and contaminated my coolant system. I deleted the cooler and did a very thorough flush of the system. I used a flushing chemical too and flushed it two times after that with water. A week later my temprature gauge suddenly gets above its usual sweet spot that it normally sits at. I haven't had the temp in the red yet, but I know if I left it running it would probably get there. First thing I did was another flush and I checked to see if there was flow from one side of the radiator to the other. Then I verified fans worked, even though it would over heat BOTH sitting still and driving. Then I replaced the T-stat and housing, and the water pump. After that I ran the motor while filling the radiator to eliminate air in the system, but I only used like 3/4 of a jug and it started overflowing. Replaced the cap and it STILL overheats! I'm really stumped on this one guys, any help would be greatly appreciated. Oh also there's no leaves or debris blocking airflow. No leaks either.
Thanks,
Edge
Thanks,
Edge
TECH Addict
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,189
Likes: 123
From: Portland, Oregon
Welcome to the forums.
You have covered all the immediate points:
Flushed the system
Properly filled (no air in system)
Verified flow through radiator
Verified the fans are working
Replaced the T-stat and water pump
Clean airflow path
If it is overheating sitting and driving, it might be a head gasket. You can buy kits that test your coolant for byproducts of combustion. Could be totally coincidence that it happened around the same time as your power steering cooler failing.
By the way, you must have been using a liquid-to-liquid power steering cooler in order for there to be any cross contamination upon failure. Don't use those coolers. For one, they offer the opportunity for cross contamination upon failure. Secondly, the water is for cooling the engine, that's it. It is not for cooling the engine and the transmission and the oil and the power steering fluid. Keep cooling circuits dedicated to what they are supposed to be cooling, don't over tax the engine cooling system by piggy backing more coolers into the engine water circuit.
You have covered all the immediate points:
Flushed the system
Properly filled (no air in system)
Verified flow through radiator
Verified the fans are working
Replaced the T-stat and water pump
Clean airflow path
If it is overheating sitting and driving, it might be a head gasket. You can buy kits that test your coolant for byproducts of combustion. Could be totally coincidence that it happened around the same time as your power steering cooler failing.
By the way, you must have been using a liquid-to-liquid power steering cooler in order for there to be any cross contamination upon failure. Don't use those coolers. For one, they offer the opportunity for cross contamination upon failure. Secondly, the water is for cooling the engine, that's it. It is not for cooling the engine and the transmission and the oil and the power steering fluid. Keep cooling circuits dedicated to what they are supposed to be cooling, don't over tax the engine cooling system by piggy backing more coolers into the engine water circuit.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Welcome to the forums.
You have covered all the immediate points:
Flushed the system
Properly filled (no air in system)
Verified flow through radiator
Verified the fans are working
Replaced the T-stat and water pump
Clean airflow path
If it is overheating sitting and driving, it might be a head gasket. You can buy kits that test your coolant for byproducts of combustion. Could be totally coincidence that it happened around the same time as your power steering cooler failing.
By the way, you must have been using a liquid-to-liquid power steering cooler in order for there to be any cross contamination upon failure. Don't use those coolers. For one, they offer the opportunity for cross contamination upon failure. Secondly, the water is for cooling the engine, that's it. It is not for cooling the engine and the transmission and the oil and the power steering fluid. Keep cooling circuits dedicated to what they are supposed to be cooling, don't over tax the engine cooling system by piggy backing more coolers into the engine water circuit.
You have covered all the immediate points:
Flushed the system
Properly filled (no air in system)
Verified flow through radiator
Verified the fans are working
Replaced the T-stat and water pump
Clean airflow path
If it is overheating sitting and driving, it might be a head gasket. You can buy kits that test your coolant for byproducts of combustion. Could be totally coincidence that it happened around the same time as your power steering cooler failing.
By the way, you must have been using a liquid-to-liquid power steering cooler in order for there to be any cross contamination upon failure. Don't use those coolers. For one, they offer the opportunity for cross contamination upon failure. Secondly, the water is for cooling the engine, that's it. It is not for cooling the engine and the transmission and the oil and the power steering fluid. Keep cooling circuits dedicated to what they are supposed to be cooling, don't over tax the engine cooling system by piggy backing more coolers into the engine water circuit.
). Now it actually runs cooler then ever, like 180 on the highway lol. Oh by the way that power steering pump was factory stock and I had no idea they were notorious for failing until I opened my rad cap and saw brown lol. Thanks again! 
