GSX is over heating

[Super16G]

Over Heating issues with the GSX
That's right...It keeps over heating. I put a C&R aluminum radiator with a spal fan, I installed a 170 degree thermostat and when I drive on long stretches of road like the highway it gets hot and spews coolant out of the over flow. Now in town driving its fine but as soon as I run it on the highway it gets warm ????
Any suggestions?

 

[Benji]

Depending on your thermostat of course. At a 190 thermostat you shouldn't temps over 200-205 degrees!

 

[Super16G]

Since we raised the compression should I use a higher torque setting the 62 ft pd ?????????

 

[Benji]

Originally posted by Super16G
Since we raised the compression should I use a higher torque setting the 62 ft pd ?????????

I think the head bolts torque specs are 65-72ft lbs. Tighten them to 72. Also, If I was you, I would put in a stock thermostat, 190 Degrees.

If I am wrong, someone should correct me.

Also, when you torqued the head bolts, after about 5 heat cycles of the car, retourqe the head bolts if neccesary.

 

[Super16G]

We have the stock T stat back in and my old man told me I should torque it down after the motor was warm so I'm gonna prolly drive it around and then torque it down and go from there...Unless anyone has any red flags to throw up.....

 

[XSuROsISX]

I had the same problem along with about 2 other guys that live in AZ as you. My problems were that I have a front mount and the extreme heat was making my car run 3/4 hot in the day. I built an air dam that attached to the cross member that basicly pushes air up into the radiater. Don't listen to these guys telling you that you have a bad head gasket.

 

[Super16G]

I wish that it was just that simple...I made an airdam and it did not work...Also I was adding some coolant when it was at idle and ......OH No bubbles. So there is air in there some how...I checked the oil and it had no coolant in it and I checked the coolant and there was no oil in it.....I did run a compression test before and it came out 180 across all cyls but now I'm not sure about that head gasket

 

[XSuROsISX]

Dude if there is no coolant in your oil and vice versa and have perfect compression all the way across do not waste your time pulling the head, it's not the problem. Datalog to see what the real temp of your car is.

 

[Super16G]

Datalog temp 206-210...What do you think it is??????

 

[Zex4g63]

Does it get hotter than 210?
210 is not hot.
That is within normal range for 99% of the cars on the road.
There are cars sold now that have 205 t-stats
T-stats only keep the temp above a certain degree. If you have a 190 t-stat it mean your car won't run below 190 not run at 190. T-stats are used to warm the car faster. Engines make optimum power at temps above 175 degrees because the oil needs to be at a certain temp and engine temp also effects emmisions. The radiator cap has to hold pressure because it raises the boiling point of your cooling system. When making more horsepower you make more heat. You should upgrade your cap to a higher psi when you mod. Ever see a NASCAR rad cap=22lbs. NASCAR engines run 190 degrees and up. If your boiling at 210 you need a bigger cap. Don't run your car without a t-stat because that makes the coolant move to fast through the engine and it cannot transfer heat then. It needs to be a controlled flow. Are you running antifreeze? What mix ratio? If you have to much antifreeze your car will not cool well. The more antifreeze you have the worse your cooling system will run. Water is the ultimate coolant, it's just not feasible in most areas. 50/50 mix should be fine for you.
As for the compression test, you can't check a blown headgasket by doing a compression test, you must do a leakdown test.
I live in central PA and have logged my car at 205-206 in traffic on a 30 degree day.
Will your car make as much power at 210 as it will at 190-no
Hope this info helps.

Tim

 

[teg21]

About the torquing of the head studs if you are using stock studs which I wouldn't reccomend I would torque them to 100 ft pounds. If you are going to pull your head I would have it checked to see if it is warped and I would also go with arp head studs a lot lot better than stock (reusable as well). I would not use reuse the stock head studs. I did that once and I broke the first one I torqued at only about 50 ft pounds. I got look and it broke above the block so it wasn't a huge deal. anyway if anything is wrong I would say you have a warped head so I would get that checked out if you are going to have it off anyway.

 

[Super16G]

With advice coming from someone talking about nascar Then I'll pass.........I am going to do a run tomorrow to try to burp the system ..Considering I went to add coolant and got bubbles ( ) after that we will be pulling the head..........If you wanna give advice then read the whole thread........

 

[Zex4g63]

Your right! I should know better than to chime in on a thread that has a dozen problems listed in it and the rocket scientist that started it is still having the same problems almost two months later. Have fun! I hope it gets expesive for you.

 

[Super16G]

Well at least I can READ all of the suggestions and try them out instead of just spouting out some crap that has already been covered. You cant fathum what expensive is with this car..That's why I'm trying to resolve any other possible issue that it could be BRAIN TRUST..

 

[Zex4g63]

I apologize for my outburst Super. I had a stressfull day and your post dug me the wrong way. I know you don't want to pull the head if you don't have to. If you can find someone in your area with this itemhttp://www.leitenberger.de/atg_e/cooling_systems/co2-leak-detectors.htm- they can tell you if you have a head gasket leak. It has a dye in it that changes color when it senses combustion gases in the cooling system. If you can't find one and don't want to buy one I can loan you mine. I'll ship it to you and you can ship it back. If you already pulled the head than I'm too late. I'm sure my info was usefull to somebody because there are an awful lot questions and answers in this thread. My first reply wasn't totally directed at your initial questions because there are few people on this thread who don't totally understand the concept of the things they were telling you. By the way is the car still overheating on the highway because I can probably give you a fix for that if you need it.

Take care,
Zex

P.S. I only said Nascar because it was the first thing that came to mind, I hate Nascar, The things I stated apply to rally or scca.

 

[teg21]

Originally posted by Zex4g63
As for the compression test, you can't check a blown headgasket by doing a compression test, you must do a leakdown test.

I don't agree with this totally, I think you can check for a head gasket problem with a compression test. I don't think you can pinpoint bad compression with a head gasket problem and a leak down test should be done after the compression test to make sure it is the head gasket. But, I would not do a leak down test first I would say do a compression test and if that comes back back then you do a leak down test. But everyone has their own way of doing things.

Super16g, I hope once you pull your head you get this problem taken of hopefully doing that will fix it, just make sure you take your time and do everything right. Good Luck

Dave

 

[teg21]

Originally posted by Zex4g63
As for the compression test, you can't check a blown headgasket by doing a compression test, you must do a leakdown test.

I don't totally agree. I think bad compression numbers should then lead to a leak down test to figure out why you are getting the bad numbers. I think a compression test should be done first and then a leak down test in order to tell you more about what is giong on. But everyone does things differently and a leak down test nevertheless is important to do if the head gasket is suspected.

Super16G, good luck on the head pull hopefully this will fix everything. Take your time and make sure you do everything right. good luck

Dave

 

[Super16G]

I should tell yah that we replaced the pistons and rods and bearings just before we had the pros so when we replaced the pistons and rings um...That would be the ? with the leak down?????? I'll look into the exhaust gases into the coolant test thing when I'm sober...And thanksss for understanding...I've said it before we appreciate ALL the help and rule out nothing .....I'll get back with you tomorrow....Springfield haas the fastest mile Dirt track for Flat track and a bunch of bikers are in from outa town and my Triumph LOVES Harleys smothered in oil

 

[Super16G]

I've got the shop cleared out for next week or if anything gets cancelled this week. So lets hope that these will remedy the problem.

 

[Defiant]

Run a smog sniffer over the coolant, see if you have exhaust in there. Seems inevitable, from all I've read so far. I wonder if it's a crack.

Best luck to you...

 

[teg21]

Originally posted by Defiant
Run a smog sniffer over the coolant, see if you have exhaust in there. Seems inevitable, from all I've read so far. I wonder if it's a crack.

Best luck to you...

could you explain this more. where would a crack be that would cause exhaust to leak into the coolant? also could you give some simple instructions on how to do this or a link? Thanks

 

[Defiant]

If you have a leaking head gasket, or a crack in a cylinder wall or the head adjacent a water jacket, combustion pressures will force exhaust gas into the coolant. Using a smog sniffer, put it over the open thermostat housing (or wherever you're seeing bubbles) and test for hydrocarbons. Any smog mechanic should be able to do it for you.

 

[Super16G]

That's good info...

 

[stevetrbp]

Im having the same probs, I have a fluidine radiator spal fan and a overflow tank, and Im 99% sure its that stupid aftermarket overflow tank. I never had any probs till I stuck that thing in, my buddy has a turbo neon (97) and his overflow tank does the same sh&t. Im switching it back to stock and see how that works out.

 

[Super16G]

Alright guys and gorillas we finally got the problem fixed and to all that said it was the head gasket all along you can officially say "I TOLD YOU SO" We pulled the head off and sure enough the sucka looks like it failed so now with the metal HG and the ARP's we should be in there like swimwear...I actually learned alot from this experience and hope that I never have to go through it again...Thank you ALL for your insight...It was very very helpful

 

[teg21]

Glad you got it fixed not going to say I told you so just glad you are up and running again. I have actually been having a similiar problem for the past few weeks now and I think I am going to have to pull my head again. Hopefully I'll have as much fun as you did .

Thanks for replying back with your results and if you need help in the future feel free to PM me.