HELP Overheating issue

[vert]

Yesterday as I was driving in town my car heated up fast to 210* fans kick on and the temp kept climbing to until I shut her down at 220*. I changed the thermostat (put stock one back in), drove the car on the highway and temps hung at the 205-210* range. When pulled into the driveway I let the car idles for less than 2 minutes and the temp climb 227* with fans on high.
I took it to the dealership today and they are telling me it is normal for the temp to climb to 230* while idling. Service tech said it is within the optimum temp range. I told him no way, it has never ran that high.

My question is, isn't that too high and what are the fins in the water pump made from?

The reason I ask is had a car once that acted this way and the fins in the pump was broken off, so at idle it overheated but moving it stayed borderline.

[GRRRR8]

Make sure both fans are working. Make sure the system is full and the heat blows hot. These cars are very easy to form air pockets if not filled correctly.

[vert]

Make sure both fans are working. Make sure the system is full and the heat blows hot. These cars are very easy to form air pockets if not filled correctly.
I thought I burped it correctly, but the thing I forgot to do was run the heater as I filled the rad. up. I shall look into it tomorrow.

[Crazy Paul]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/Instructions/G8-cooling1.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/Instructions/G8-cooling2.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/Instructions/G8-cooling3.jpg

[vert]

Thanks CP, looks as if 228* is a normal temp, never thought you would want it to get that high. I never watched my temps until after I got my tune and dashawk and my fans kick on high at 210*
Car is back to normal. I had an air pocket and I pulled the heater hoses then refilled while I ran the car without the cap.

[TomPierce]

Make sure both fans are working. Make sure the system is full and the heat blows hot. These cars are very easy to form air pockets if not filled correctly.

Can someone post the correct procedure to fill (refill) the cooling system?

The owners manual says "This service can be complex; you should have your dealer/retailer perform this service"

AllData says "Fill the cooling system with a mixture of 50/50 Dex Cool and water until full, wait several seconds and "top up" if level drops. Start engine. With engine idling top up coolant until full, wait for several seconds and "top up" if level drops."

Doesn't sound very 'complex' to me - it must be missing something...

Thanks
Tom

[vert]

From what I gathered, you should have the car running with the heater on and continue filling until the radiator is full. I did not run the heater so I assume I got air in the heater hose or core.

[Scott McDonald]

Speaking of having to put in more coolant, I've been smelling coolant on and off for a few weeks and decided to check my coolant level. It was low and I had to put in about a quart to fill the resevoir. Anybody else run into this? Is this normal? I've got 29K on the car now with no mods - yet.

[vert]

Speaking of having to put in more coolant, I've been smelling coolant on and off for a few weeks and decided to check my coolant level. It was low and I had to put in about a quart to fill the resevoir. Anybody else run into this? Is this normal? I've got 29K on the car now with no mods - yet.
Some have had issues of the reservoir leaking around the neck/ hose area. Might check that area out first.

[TomPierce]

From what I gathered, you should have the car running with the heater on and continue filling until the radiator is full. I did not run the heater so I assume I got air in the heater hose or core.

There is something here that I don't understand.

Back in the day, you adjusted the temperature of the heat by opening and closing a valve that regulated the amount of coolant that was flowing through the heater core. The valve was usually under the hood with a cable for the adjustment that ran to the dashboard.

From what I understand is (now in these modern times) coolant runs through the heater core continually, and the heat is controlled by controlling the amount of air that flows over the heater core and into the cabin. No more valves under the hood to rust or leak, and no mechanical cables to fail, and the modern controls are all vacuum driven and can be computer controlled.

So, whether the heater controls are on or off, the heater core should still have the same amount (volume) of coolant running through it.

I'm not doubting your experience with refilling the system, I just don't understand why the heat would need to be ON to refill the system. It seems that should not make a difference.

Undoubtably, there is a super-secret eyes-only mechanics-special procedure to fill the radiator - let's just hope that someone on the forum will spill the beans...


Tom (keeping my cool) Pierce

[vert]

There is something here that I don't understand.

Back in the day, you adjusted the temperature of the heat by opening and closing a valve that regulated the amount of coolant that was flowing through the heater core. The valve was usually under the hood with a cable for the adjustment that ran to the dashboard.

From what I understand is (now in these modern times) coolant runs through the heater core continually, and the heat is controlled by controlling the amount of air that flows over the heater core and into the cabin. No more valves under the hood to rust or leak, and no mechanical cables to fail, and the modern controls are all vacuum driven and can be computer controlled.

So, whether the heater controls are on or off, the heater core should still have the same amount (volume) of coolant running through it.

I'm not doubting your experience with refilling the system, I just don't understand why the heat would need to be ON to refill the system. It seems that should not make a difference.

Undoubtably, there is a super-secret eyes-only mechanics-special procedure to fill the radiator - let's just hope that someone on the forum will spill the beans...


Tom (keeping my cool) Pierce
Maybe the grrrr8 one will chime in.

[-Ray-]

according to the GM manual, you fill the radiator with the bleed hose removed. Wait a few seconds, then top off until it spills from the bleed hole. Reattach hose. Start engine and fill as necessary. shut off engine and top off. Then fill overflow tank.
That's it.