Third Gen cooling issues? Solutions?

[deeznuts94]

Does it run hot on the highway or just in traffic?

Just in traffic. On the Eway it runs about half the gauge, 220 degrees.

[deeznuts94]

If you want an upgraded Michigan made radiator let me know.

I will, thanks Brian. What kind of prices are we talking? 3 core?

[SOPES]

I upgraded the water pump on my last toy and that alone made a nice drop in temp

[deeznuts94]

When you have the infared temp checker do-hicky check the trans pan to get an idea of where the fluid temp is. Lots of variables here but try this stuff first. Do you have a stock water pump ?

Yeah everything on the motor is stock. I am running AC still too, cant let it go.

[SOPES]

LOL I cant blame ya on that, I dont have it in my 2 other cars so when its hot and muggy i treat myself to some A/C. Depending on how much the radiator is, I might also look into a high flow water pump especially for idle situations. Then do the heater core back flush since its free and then the t-stat. She should be much happier in stop and go. Its a beautiful car you have !

[deeznuts94]

Thanks man! The paint is starting to get pretty rough on it. I didn't have a garage last summer so it sat outside. The sun beat it up pretty bad. We are planning on building a motor for it this year so I may just throw a radiator at it and see what happens. That SS vert is pretty killer too, and what is that in your album? A Catalina or a Bonneville?

[SOPES]

Thanks! That is my find of a lifetime, Its a 65 bonneville, I am the 3rd owner and I am huge into old school pontiacs. I like the GTO's but The big ones to me hold a special place, I grew up listening to my dad talk about his 65 2+2 and have always wanted one but they are too hard to come by

[Gregs_gsxr]

have you thought about replacing the fan motor even thought it comes on and moves some air, it may not being working at 100% this was the case on my brothers car

[hoogiesngrinderz]

My 89 would run 220 nomally, these third gens were intended to run warm to meet emissions.

I don't pass 185 now with a low thrermostat and decent tune I flashed

[ruckusz28]

Start with the most simple thing before you start dishing out money.

Is it possible that you installed the stat upside down? That will cause similar problems.
Start there, then flush the system.
Might also be worth checking your fan sensor to make sure the fans coming on. Its in the passenger head just below the #6 plug.

[hoogiesngrinderz]

Start with the most simple thing before you start dishing out money.

Is it possible that you installed the stat upside down? That will cause similar problems.
Start there, then flush the system.
Might also be worth checking your fan sensor to make sure the fans coming on. Its in the passenger head just below the #6 plug.

Not sure about single fan setups, but in dual fan third gens that is the high temp sensor which controls the secondary fan. Primary fan is ECM controlled.

[ruckusz28]

Right on. Just going off how my car is set up. Lots of things changed over the years.

[SOPES]

I like the changes that only happen for one year.... Thats a GM staple there lol

[WMCC Gary]

Is the black air deflector still attached to the bottom of the Radiator support?

It should look like this...


Is the cooling fins in the radiator plugged?

When was the last time you pulled the radiator and cleaned all the crap out from between it and the air conditioning condenser?
These cars are notorious for sucking crap(leaves, paper, etc.) in there and plugging up the cooling fin on the radiator and condenser.

[SOPES]

Is the black air deflector still attached to the bottom of the Radiator support?

It should look like this...


Is the cooling fins in the radiator plugged?

When was the last time you pulled the radiator and cleaned all the crap out from between it and the air conditioning condenser?
These cars are notorious for sucking crap(leaves, paper, etc.) in there and plugging up the cooling fin on the radiator and condenser.

Good Call Gary ! We had a diesel truck come in for service last summer and thats all it needed was a good old fashioned clean out