Topic: my 1990 runs above 230 degrees
in Forum: C4 Cooling and Heating Systems
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 2246
Vette(s): 1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine.
1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.
Chipmonks?!?! ? 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
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BATaylorEsq said:
C4 were designed to run over 200, even 215-220 isn't really "hot" for them, but a normal system will run 195-205 on the road, 10-20 higher in stop+go traffic (or Arizona summer, or in Death Valley, same difference...). It looks scary, but it seems to be OK, within those limits. Unfortunately, our air dams suck leaves, dead birds and chipmunks, and other road kill/debris, along with air, which assaults the front fan, dents the fins in the radiator, and gets between the radiator and condenser, so they can't breath (or cool your engine).
After you get both fans working, or replaced, plus relays, then make sure the leaves and feathers and crud between the radiator and condenser are cleaned out, or replaced, as mine had to be, then you should put a screen between the road and your fans+radiators to keep the road kill from killing your cooling system, again. There is at least one cheap solution to this problem, which is a problem common to all C4s, which is to go to Home Depot or Lows or 84 Lumber and get a piece of leaf guard gutter screen and screw+zip tie it across the opening, so the air dam can still suction air, without the damaging debris.
Just saying....
Nice Solution Taylor -- I like it.
Colin.
the screen is a good idea,i use regular window screen,very easy to clean.mid America and ecklers sell fan sw and relay to bring the fans on earlier and lower your temp.the dirt under the radiator has to be real bad to effect the temp.they normally run hot.get the kit and you will be happy.
I've heard a little about this extra "fan switch" that can be installed to control the fan(s).
I"d like to install this but know nothing of what to buy and where it installs.
Can someone explain please. I have a reasonable understanding of mechanics and electricals (have many tools) so I'm not completely in the dark.
Thanks,
Colin.
I"d like to install this but know nothing of what to buy and where it installs.
Can someone explain please. I have a reasonable understanding of mechanics and electricals (have many tools) so I'm not completely in the dark.
Thanks,
Colin.
The Coolant fan relays are on the drivers side of the radiator (2). 1 wire from each is the ground which turns the fan on. On 90's the primary fan ground is light blue with black and the secondary fan is dark blue with white. Strip some insulation from each wire and wrap some # 16 wire on each separately and run to two toggle switches you have installed somewhere convenient inside car (knee bolster?) Run one or two wires to ground. I use the horn ground. You can turn on either or both fans and the ECM will still turn them on also.
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longwood, FL - USA
Joined: 11/5/2013
Posts: 11
Vette(s): 1995 and 2002 red convt
stacking fans can be tricky, and my car had a plugged bleeder tube, the one that comes off of the top of the radiator (one the dealer I bought the car from couldn't figure out) I used speedo cable and a drill to clean min out and it fixed the cars over heat issues. NEXT I installed a mechanical thermostat for the fan, have been doing this for years on most all of my cars, the fan is hooked up to run at set temp and runs when car is shut off, lowering engine compartment temps. the trick is to install the thermistor at the bottom of the radiator, this allows the fan to run for about a minute after the car is shut off. installing it around the top of the radiator is not a good idea.
also I hear that the temp sensor is on the head, and should be on or around the stat itself, the head location gives bad readings. i have got the new 3 wire temp sensor but have not installed it yet, I would like the wiring diagram or how to, if someone has it ?
found the bucket grommets for my 2002 headlights on ebay
What is the best way to get at any debris that might get between the condenser and the radiator? Do you have to pull the units all the way out or can you get at it and clean it out while on the car? I live in Texas and the summers get HOT and humid. My '92 Vette does as some others have said here. On summer days at 103-105 degree temps the car runs about 200-207 on the road and at a stop light it gets up to close to 230+! Oh yes I do hear the fans coming on and always when the air is on.
Any help here would be appreciated.
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longwood, FL - USA
Joined: 11/5/2013
Posts: 11
Vette(s): 1995 and 2002 red convt
never gets that hot here in florida, I use commercial condenser cleaner. that can be found at Grainger, and Ice32 a additive that seems to lower head pressure,
now I installed one of these on my 90 gm 4x4 1500 truck and it has preformed very well with 134, but have not used one on my vette yet, it's got 120,ooo miles on her now and this summer I will be installing a new compressor, and will install one, at that time. you must make sure your ac is working at peek performance, as this is a significant heat source that can cause RUN HOT issues (driveability)
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you can only do so much, before a total dissemble is required to remove and get like new clean,
Remember you have a emergency radiator, it's called a heater core and has saved me many times in all sorts of vehicles, just crank up the heat and set the blower fan on high, not much fun but beets a overheat situation. best of luck hope I was of some help. Jay .. 95 convertible, top down and ac crank'n baby 
found the bucket grommets for my 2002 headlights on ebay
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longwood, FL - USA
Joined: 11/5/2013
Posts: 11
Vette(s): 1995 and 2002 red convt
what I use is a electric fan thermostat control, the relays are on the drivers side of the radiator, and I have been doing this for years with all of my vehicles here in florida, it allows me control of the fans, and I hook it up so when the car shuts off the fan can run and cool the engine compartment off,(runs for about 2 minutes) just remember to install the thermister (probe,bulb) LOW on the radiator. If you install it on the top of the radiator, I will guarantee a dead battery is in your future.
this is a cool trick that has served me well for 30 years in central florida.
Top down ac blast'n baby .. jay .. florida
.. jay .. floridafound the bucket grommets for my 2002 headlights on ebay
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edgewood, NM - USA
Joined: 6/20/2015
Posts: 4
Vette(s): 92 lt-1 6 speed 163000 miles prior about 12 to 15 vettes
I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I INSTALLED A NEW CHAMPION RADIATOR FROM PERFORMANCE RADIATOR. ALL ALUMINUM 3 1 INCH CORE AND VERY REASONABLE. PROBLEM IS SOLVED.
in Forum: C4 Cooling and Heating Systems
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