LS1vazquez

I'm trying to diagnose whats going on with my 95 LT1 Buick Road Master.

The heater core went out on it back in April, I ran a bypass and continued driving it. Finally got around to replacing the core. Now the car will not hold temperature, she'll get hot but won't actually go into the red.

So far we've replaced the core, the thermostat and the pump. The hoses are new and the systems been flushed with dexcool. Both fans operate properly and the Ac works just fine.

Still, when idling in traffic or stop and go, she'll start creeping up tot he 75% mark on the gauge and just kinda hover there.

The only other thing were thinking is that the radiator could be junk. It was supposedly switched out in December when the factory one cracked but it could have been a refurbished or old unit.

My mechanic who helps me with the work thinks the engine is pretty strong and doesn't think there has been any heat related damage, but it's taken a few too many trips into the hot zone and I really don't care to test it out more then it needs to be done, so any advice would be appreciated.

djjab57

iTrader: (17)

Thats sounds about right for normal, And may still have some air in the lines

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

If the car is getting up to ~230* and hovering there while in traffic or at a stop, that is normal. The stock fan programing turns the fans on at 226* and 235* for the low and high speed fans respectively. You could have your computer reprogrammed to turn the fans on sooner or install a manual fan switch. But if the temp is at where I stated, then you are fine.

LS1vazquez

Are you sure, I could have sworn this car ran a lot cooler back when I first drove it.

It's hard to tell because the temp gauge is just an idiot one with no actual markings on it so I can't really tell what the indicated temperature it.

djjab57

iTrader: (17)

Yes, all that info is correct.

LS1vazquez

totally stupid question but do you think I could rig up a purge valve from a nitrous kit to spray on the condenser and radiator to aid it in cooling when stuck in traffic?

djjab57

iTrader: (17)

I would get a 160 thermo and get a piece of crap hypertech to turn the fans on sooner before doing something like that

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

Exactly. OP, don't do something silly like that.
There really is nothing wrong with having the engine operate at that temp. But if you insist on lowering it. A 160* stat and reprogrammed fans are all that you need to do to keep it running cooler.

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

The engine is designed to run that hot. It's perfectly normal.

ls2pontiac

iTrader: (1)

i suggest getting a 160* SLP tstat and a PCM tune to lower the fan turning on point to 180 degrees. It'll run a hell of a lot better and when you shut it off on a hot summer day and turn it back on, you wont get heat soak. I used to hate that so much with my goat

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

Maybe the first thing you should do is actually verify what temp your engine is reaching. You can verify it with a scanner.

Quick94LT1

iTrader: (4)

So do lt1's overheat as much as 5.0 mustangs? My 331 95 has ran hot since the day I bought it bone stock. It's tuned to turn the fans on early with a 180 stat. Have not ran the camaro in the 100+ heat yet

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

LT1's don't overheat unless there is a problem. It's only, for lack of a better term, ignorant people that think their LT1 is overheating just because the temps get to ~235*. That's the way it was designed, nothings wrong. Yet I see thread after thread asking, "Why is my car overheatting?"