I did a search on overheating and found not much on the subject. I had overheating problems with my previous engine and after a new one was installed i have have had no problems. BUT going up some hills i noticed that the temperature got right below the RED mark which is i believe about 260. Is this normal? I was a little worried it would move into the red as it was right on the borderline, but it never did.
Just curious as to if anybody ever gets right below the red and if thats ok to do.
ALSO... Do you guys use DEXCOOL coolent as I think i am suppose to use that but i am using regular coolant now. Will DEXCOOL make a significant difference in the cooling of the engine?
First I would get a real temperature probe to actually make sure your gauge is accurate. It should run in the 195 degress range if you have a stock thermostat. The fan kicks on pretty high with the stock chip, and I think it's around 220 degree but I could be wrong as I don't have the bin file on me right now to look it up. Anyways, I would just check to make sure tha gauge it right before you try fixing a problem that might not be there. I know my one TGP reads high as in around 30 degrees high. A new temp sender might cure the problem if the gauge is off.
Do not use Dexcool in any vehicle you have, even if it came with it. Dexcool works OK, but when the system is not bled of air it turns acidic and eats gaskets. :shock: . That's why GM only used it for a couple years then switched back to a regular glycol type(green). I've actually heard that Dexcool is not as efficient as regular glycol(green) when it comes to heat transfer, but I've never looked into it much. I would just flush your system a couple times. If that doesn't work, I would look into getting your radiator recored as that's probably the problem. :)
I second everything skalor says! 8)
And I third it!!! Just an interesting extra thought, the overflow tank has air in it, which turns the Dexcool bad as you say but also turns it into a granular substance, that all gets sucked back in the rad when the overflow refills the rad after cooldown, its bad all around like you said. From the TGPs I have worked on, his also sounds like a plugged radiator core, you can pull off the upper rad hose on the rad end tank and look inside with a flashlight to see the ends of the rad core tubes, should be plugged up, check it out!!! And good luck!!!!!
Jeff M
Something else I thought of while working in the garage, since the fans are set to come on as follows; Fan 1/behind radiator On=216 degrees F, Fan 2/in front of radiator On=219 then if you are indeed getting this hot, then stop and pop the hood and check these 2 fans are running, this to first confirm the fans are working and one is not dead but also if both are running then you are hotter than at least 219 degrees!
Good luck and I hope you get a fix soon!!!
Jeff M