Sound like a T-Stat?

[mholhut]

Just wondering if this sounds like a sticking T-stat, or something more serious... Made for a fun commute to work during a snow storm this week.

1990 SHO with 200,000 miles. Takes a long time for the cabin to heat up. The temp gauge fluctuates constantly. Engine temp climbs pretty steadily from the A in NORMAL , all the way up to the N. The temp then drops like a rock down to the A again. I only get heat for the brief period that the temperature gauge drops.

Thinking it's the T-stat instead of the heater core?

Thanks all, and happy holidays!

 

[Snake2715]

In my experience with SLO's and other cars it sounds more like air in the system or a low coolant problem.

Just because the resevoir might be full doesnt meen the system is full.

One thing I would need to know is how long does it take for the temp to fluctuate like you described? Did it happen pretty fast or no?

If you have a lot of interior (sweet smelling) smoke or a possibly wet floor then I would think its the heater core. It can be bypassed at the firwall to check if you really believe its the heater core.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Mike, I tend to agree that it sounds like you may be air bound, although your rad. cap could be shot, or you may have a hose collapsing which could be contributing to or causing the air.

I think since you've proven to be rare in the past several months that you should take a drive eastbound next week and buy us lunch and we'll be happy to take a look at it for you!

 

[SHOtime2511]

could be air in your lines but im gonna guess your thermostat is sticking,when this happens it wont release the water untill a higher than normal temp.(if it opens at all) in your case when it does open the cooling returns to normal and the temp falls...id almost put my money on it being your thermostat make sure when you go to get your new one you get the second gen or GEN-B thermostat its alot better...while your at it flush out the ol colling system and give her some new 50/50 and she should be all better!!!!!!

 

[mholhut]

Mike, I tend to agree that it sounds like you may be air bound, although your rad. cap could be shot, or you may have a hose collapsing which could be contributing to or causing the air.

I think since you've proven to be rare in the past several months that you should take a drive eastbound next week and buy us lunch and we'll be happy to take a look at it for you!

Sounds like a plan. Tell your deadbeat associate that I'll probably head out there on Wednesday the 29th if you guys aren't too busy. The car was leaking a small amount of coolant... probably from the lower heater hose. I'll see how much fluid is in her before I bring her out to you two knuckleheads.

BTW, when you see Kirk, knee him in the stones for me. :wave:

 

[mholhut]

Well, it was snowing today when I woke up this afternoon to go to work, so I opted to take the SHO over the LS in case it got slick. I checked the coolant level; the overflow bottle was dry and the radiator was low. I filled the rad with 50/50 and put a few splashes in the overflow. I checked it down the road after 5 minutes of driving and it was still a bit low. I topped it off, burped the rad hose, and it seemed to take care of the problem for now. The fluxuation with the temp gauge is gone and the car provides plenty of heat. Gotta be a slow leak in the lower heater hose. Thanks for all the advice folks!

Chris, I'll probably still come out there on Wednesday if you two aren't tied up with anything.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Chris, I'll probably still come out there on Wednesday if you two aren't tied up with anything.

Definitely! I talked to Kirk last night and both of us are looking forward to throwing snowballs at you, uh, I mean, seeing you!

 

[mholhut]

That's nice talk...

I should've said "...tied up with each other." :laugh_ti: