Overheating questions

[ivan12]

I have a couple of questions regarding overheating. First of my water temp gauge doesn't work, I dont know what's wrong it if it's the gauge itself or the sending unit. My car is almost stock, with a couple of bolt-ons which are x-pipe no cats, flowmaster, CAI, comp cam (sorry don't know what model), Everytime I run hard let's say over 4000 rpm, once I stop it it starts overflowing coolant. My water pump was recently replaced as well as my thermostat, so I'm hoping it's not that. Another thing, when I do run it that hard Sometimes I hear a pinging noise from the engine usually a sign that the coolant is coming, any ideas? I haven't taken it to a mechanic because I always get your guys' input first.

 

[topless95]

Make sure your cooling fan is working properly. Mine was running a bit hot and it turned out to be my fan.

 

[CC'S95GT]

Make sure your cooling fan is working properly. Mine was running a bit hot and it turned out to be my fan.

agreed
-When you try to pull codes, the first thing you should hear is the fan run on low for a couple of seconds followed by the hi speed. That will only confirm the fan and wiring is working properly. It doesn't confirm the temp sending unit is functional, which by the way the 5.0's have 2 temp sensors. 1 for the pcm and 1 for the guage.
-As for the pinging when hot, what is you timing set at? you might need to back it off 1/2 a degree on your timing or increase the octane in the gas your using.
-overflowing coolant, that sounds like the head gasket is leaking by at hi rpm's.

 

[ivan12]

My fan turns on by itself but I also have a switch to turn it on high from inside

 

[birel21y]

Sounds like a head gasket to me. If you coolant has oil in it, or if your oil is white or peanut butter color.. There ya go. Also, if its pinging, you need to retard your timing. Its most likely doing it because the engine is hot.

 

[ivan12]

I checked my oil and it's clean, any other signs of a gasket?

 

[CC'S95GT]

I checked my oil and it's clean, any other signs of a gasket?

Napa sells a kit to detect exhaust gases in the coolant

 

[ivan12]

I've got a stock short block from a 92' I guess I'll just throw that in now, I blew a head gasket a while back, with the time and money I'll spend on the one that's in now, I can spend on putting the fresh on in. Any problems I can run in while doing this?

 

[ivan12]

This is probably a stupid question but I think I still have to ask it, would a small leak in the radiator cause it to overflow after I run the car?

 

[CC'S95GT]

Well a leak in the rad wouldn't allow it to pressurize correctly. and therefore run hotter. and with the thermal expansion of the water it could overflow.
Changing the whole engine is a lot of work when it might be just a bad rad. especially when you planning to upgrade the rad anyway.

 

[94kingcbra]

Did you test the cap? It wouldn't hurt to throw a good one on there and see if it keeps pressure. Also, make sure you have a good mixture of antifreeze and DISTILLED WATER, and ensure that you burp the cooling system completely. It also wouldn't hurt to do a good flush on the cooling system. Good Luck!

 

[ivan12]

Thanx I appreciate the help, I just ordered a mishimoto and hope it doesn't leak, happy holidays to all and again thanks for the help

 

[ivan12]

Can you guys give me a good ratio for the coolant and antifreeze mix

 

[T-5 Killer]

Can you guys give me a good ratio for the coolant and antifreeze mix

50/50 if you live in a warm place 70/30 if it gets real cold in the winter where you are at.

 

[ivan12]

I'm sorry I meant the ratio of distilled water and antifreeze

 

[ivan12]

Btw I live in San diego, pretty hot all year long

 

[kyle94gt]

check your fan often as well. I have mine wired just like yours and found out one day that my car was running on the hot side and i had the manual switch on and it wasn't doing anything so I stopped and opened the hood and the fan wasn't running. I tapped the motor housing of the fan and viola... it fired up. So I just bought a new fan and it's worked perfect ever since.

 

[ivan12]

I installed a mishimoto rad, and also replaced the temp sensor so my gauge works (after 3 years). My car seems to be running fine but my temp gauge reads hot. When I turn my fan on or mess around with the lights the gauge reads even hotter. I'm just going to get an aftermarket gauge so I can get a correct reading. What do you guys like more electric or mechanical? I've read the sticky on installing the gauges but was wondering which ones are more of a pain to install