High water temperatures

[Kernie]

Have had an ongoing challenge with cooling the superlite here in the south. Previous owner added a supplemental electric water pump and I discovered the fans weren't operating properly (see earlier wiring thread).

Rectified the fans but I'm still concerned about rising water temperatures when the car is standing. When I'm underway temperature stays at a pretty steady 180, but in stop and go traffic the water temp creeps into the 205-210 range.

Have ordered some better coolant that is supposed to help but wondering if anyone else is experiencing the same issue and what solved their problem.

Thanks

 

[Will Campbell]

For an LS engine, that's not too hot. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[David]

What ratio of water to coolant are you running?

 

[Mike]

A set of upgraded Maradyne fans Model TA11A3001 - solved my idling/traffic high temp. run-a-way issue.

The do draw a lot of current so I had to direct wire to battery with a fuse and a relay with no issues since.

My temp gauge at a long traffic light would hit 220* - a throttle induced fast idle would help bring it down some but it was looking like a runaway train while I hoped the light would go green. Under speed never an issue even when the air temps were in upper 90's- summer heat. It's the low idle/slow movement of coolant in summer heat that was the problem.

 

[Alex]

That's normal - fans only come on at 200 or 205 (unless you have them come on earlier). I wouldn't do anything about it unless it gets over 215.

 

[Troy Truglio]

I would watch out on the electric pump in the system. I have been in a race car when they have failed twice in different races. Since we yanked it out and threw it away. I think those temps are also fine.

Also, add a bottle of water wetter and that can help also.

 

[Jim Glickenhaus]

This is an issue in a lot of cars. Heavy duty batteries such as Extreme Odyssey can help but make sure you use their charger when car is resting as they require 14V. This will give fans the voltage they need at idle. Fan Shroud and exit ducting helps. If inlet can exit it's a disaster. Evans zero psi coolant works well but not all tracks allow it. Follow their instructions exactly or disaster. Extra oil cooling and fans on oil coolers lowers engine temp. We use 0-60 Shell helix which seems to run cooler that other oils. (check with engine builder). Bank cool. Before leaving highway have a switch that can manually put on all fans so you can pre drop temps before reaching lights. Put a larger water pump pulley on to overspeed water pump at lower speeds but remember that this is OK for the street but under high track revs may not work as pump may cavitate. Evans cavitates much less. Stay back from traffic at slow speeds as you're sucking in hot dirty air following to close. Offset you car if possible when fowwing traffic slightly so you're not directly behind another hot car. Never tailgate a truck.

 

[Kernie]

Coolant mixture unknown - came in the car already.
I bought 8 gallons on Be-Cool that I am going to replace it with this weekend.

Thanks for all the information and advice. Very beneficial and very much appreciated.

 

[Michael]

Coolant mixture unknown - came in the car already.
I bought 8 gallons on Be-Cool that I am going to replace it with this weekend.

Thanks for all the information and advice. Very beneficial and very much appreciated.

I've also heard that the LS engines normally run in the 205 - 210 range, unless you're running a 180 or 195 degree thermostat.

Is it possible that you might have air in the lines. It could be that you need to "burp" the cooling system.

Just thinking out loud...

Mike

 

[Ken Roberts]

Be careful when you change out your coolant. Try and flush all the old coolant out thoroughly. Some antifreeze is not compatible with other types and if you mix them .....bad things can happen. Dexcool being one of the worst if you accidently mix it with a different type.

Even if you simply drain it pockets of antifreeze still remain in the block.

 

[Kernie]

Be careful when you change out your coolant. Try and flush all the old coolant out thoroughly. Some antifreeze is not compatible with other types and if you mix them .....bad things can happen. Dexcool being one of the worst if you accidently mix it with a different type.

Even if you simply drain it pockets of antifreeze still remain in the block.

Fran hooked me up this spring with a coolant extraction tool. Basically air pressured, plugs into reservoir and creates a vacuum to extract all the coolant. Haven't used it yet, but planning on this weekend.

Will update on the progress.