Running Hot

[Transam]

This is the first summer for me in my 96 SHO. Do they naturally run a little on the hot side during the summer heat? Mine runs right about the top of the normal temp side in 95 degree weather. Both fans are running. Any advice is appreciated.

T/A

 

[wuzzzer]

My SHO has never been above the 1/2 way mark even in 100+ degree weather.

 

[SHOZ123]

If it is in the upper range of the temp gauge your external radiator fins are clogged with fibers.

http://www.google.com/custom?q=radi...225a8;&domains=v8sho.com&sitesearch=v8sho.com

 

[Transam]

So what is the easiest way to remove the fans and shroud from the radiator so i can clean the fins. I would like to do it with out removing the radiator if possible. Thanks.

 

[SHOZ123]

The fans come out easy. Only one bolt holds each in. The shroud though is an integral part of the front end. There is no easy way.

The only way to clean it in the car is the way on V8sho.com.

I just bought a new one and put it in this spring. The hardest part is getting the trans cooler lines off. If you want to take it out by the book it comes out the bottom.

 

[MilTownSHO]

Paul is probably right, but it could be other factors too... don't rule anything out!

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Could also be a cracked reservoir tank. Presuming everything else is in working order, a pressure test of the coolant system would be the next logical step.

 

[Transam]

Thanks for the replys i removed the radiator from the bottom and sure enough it was caked full of crap. It took 4 hours from start to finish and it runs perfectly now.

T/A

 

[cjaldrich]

My temp is fine in any weather until I turn on the A/C. Usually gets pretty hot when I'm on the highway. I don't know if would actually overheat because I turn the heater on when it gets between 2/3 or 3/4 of the way up on the guage, then it jumps back down within a minute or so. Are the fibers something that are easily visible? I was thinking it could be my heater core, but I never notice an antifreeze smell, just sometimes a musty smell when I hit the A/C. One other thing- Could the fact that I think the A/C needs to be recharged have an effect on the tempurature of the engine? A lot of questions, but I would like to take the SHO down to TX in Sept. instead of our Blazer but I'm not going to risk overheating out in the middle of nowhere.

 

[Transam]

Mine was a similar problem. I would bet that if you removed your radiator u would have a simialar problem. Once the radiator is removed it the fibers are very obvious. I took the radiator to a car wash and blew it out from the opposite side and reinstalled it and it runs perfect now.