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Cooling issue

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Old 07-13-2019, 04:20 PM
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Default Cooling issue

Just bought another 98 Camaro LS1. Sitting and idling with AC full blast coolant temp was around 215. Driving it down interstate running 70 mph the car was getting hotter instead of cooler. Which is total opposite of what its supposed to do. Once I cut the AC off at 70mph the temp dropped back down. Ideas on what it could be? Thermostat bad? Clogged radiator? Head Gasket, God forbid. Could the fans be kicking off after a certain speed and just not running? They were working at idle with the AC on. TIA.
Old 07-13-2019, 05:03 PM
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Possibly marginal radiator. Measure several places on the radiator core to see if there is uneven temps, if so, replace the radiator.
Old 07-13-2019, 05:42 PM
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cooling systems are sooooo easy a caveman can do it

get a LT1 rad....160 stat......tune so the fans come on earlier

ALL YOU WILL EVER NEED TO KEEP EM COOL
Old 07-13-2019, 05:52 PM
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Originally Posted by sjsingle1
cooling systems are sooooo easy a caveman can do it

get a LT1 rad....160 stat......tune so the fans come on earlier

ALL YOU WILL EVER NEED TO KEEP EM COOL
I may go that route if it is in fact the radiator. I know the LT1 is a thicker radiator. Will it just drop right in on the LS or does it require some fab work? Thanks.
Old 07-14-2019, 10:03 PM
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the LT1 is a drop in
Old 07-19-2019, 11:43 PM
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Did this today. Drained anti-freeze out. Flushed it good with water hose. Didn't appear to have any real build-up or crud in the radiator. Flushed overflow jug also. Installed a 160 stat. Filled with just distilled water. Took for a drive and still doing the same thing. Went down the interstate running 70 with AC on. Car continually got hotter. I cut the AC off once it hit 230. Temp dropped back down to around 208-210. I'm gonna replace the radiator cap and probably even the temp sensor in the head. Its possible the readings are wrong and its not getting as hot as it says. Factory gauge is crap. Not surprising. Gauge says 210, scanner shows 225.
Old 07-31-2019, 04:11 PM
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Every stock computer tune I've looked at did have a fan cut off speed. Most were between 35-65mph.

So to answer your question about them cutting off, it's very possible they are. But at 70mph you should have plenty of airflow. You could always get a local tuner to check and reprogram it.




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