Topic: Certified corvette mech
in Forum: C4 General Discussion
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TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA - USA
Joined: 9/26/2014
Posts: 6
Vette(s): 1989 purchased a few months ago. Looking to bring it back to excellent condition.
To my fellow vette enthusiasts, does anyone know of any legit certified vette mechanics in SoCal( palms springs area)? To be more specific the issue I'm having with the vehicle is rising temps of 250deg. Read alot of the forums and it seems to be a problem with this model and year in general. Please advise. Thanks
|UPDATED|9/26/2014 11:25:16 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
|UPDATED|9/26/2014 11:25:16 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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Joined: 3/20/2009
Posts: 611
Vette(s): Black 1979 L-82
Black 1996 LT1
Black 1999 Coupe
Is it stock?
Engine specs?
Previous service/repairs?
I cant help with the mechanic info...but the forum has knowledge on repairs...you just gotta provide enough info.
good luck
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TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA - USA
Joined: 9/26/2014
Posts: 6
Vette(s): 1989 purchased a few months ago. Looking to bring it back to excellent condition.
It's stock with no mods. In regards to engine work, nothing major. Replacement of wires, thermostat, and fluids
I am going to "assume" that you checked the obvious things such as radiator fans are working, and the radiator is in fact not leaking, water pump pumping, etc.
The space under/behind the front bumper is where the cool air comes in and this space acts like a vacuum cleaner and sucks in all kinds of road debris in addition to air.
You need to periodically check the front of the radiator for garbage, etc., obstructing the air flow, and clean it out so that you can in fact get an air flow into and through the radiator for any cooling process to work.
I mounted a screen across the opening to limit the debris from entering the area. My mechanic did it for me from stuff we purchased at Home Depot or other type places like that. We used a kind of chicken wire, and some spray paint to match the color of the car. It has been in place for over 6 years now, with the only incident being last month where my original (1985) lower radiator hose blew out on me. Of course the hose had NOTHING to do with the longevity of non-heat related issues due to the screen allowing for the radiator to breath.
|UPDATED|9/28/2014 3:16:28 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA - USA
Joined: 9/26/2014
Posts: 6
Vette(s): 1989 purchased a few months ago. Looking to bring it back to excellent condition.
Thanks for the input. There are no leaks but I did not check for debris. The car does stay cool when it's not idiling or running over 35mph
Do you have the Aux fan on your model? Maybe that is not running. Is the heat problem when the A/C is on, or off, or does not matter?
Semper-Fi
Myself: ex-SSgt USAF (SAC)
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TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA - USA
Joined: 9/26/2014
Posts: 6
Vette(s): 1989 purchased a few months ago. Looking to bring it back to excellent condition.
Right now the fan is set for key on stay on. Semper fi
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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.
Are you SURE the coolant temp is getting that high? Just because it shows that on the read-out doesn't mean it is correct. Sending units can go wonky at any time and give erroneous readings. You should really get/borrow an infrared(non-contact) thermometer snf see waht the actual engine coolant temp is, and compare to what the read-out is showing.
At 250f, you should have signs of coolant puking into the reservoir. My '85 will run 235*/240* in traffic, or around town, which is normal for these cars. It does cool down once it gets moving, and there is air flow thru the radiator.
At 250f, you should have signs of coolant puking into the reservoir. My '85 will run 235*/240* in traffic, or around town, which is normal for these cars. It does cool down once it gets moving, and there is air flow thru the radiator.
Joel Adams 
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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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TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA - USA
Joined: 9/26/2014
Posts: 6
Vette(s): 1989 purchased a few months ago. Looking to bring it back to excellent condition.
The coolant was spilling out big time. My courses of actions are flush again and change fluids. If that doesn't work I'll purchase a new coolant system.
Donnie,
I can't recommend a mechanic in the 29Palms area but I CAN tell you what I'd do. Pull that recently replaced thermostat and put it in a pan full of water, with a thermometer. Heat it on the stove,it should be fully open at 195 degrees if it's stock. I have a 160 degree thermostat in my '90. I recently replaced all the hoses and flushed the cooling system. Never have had an overheating problem since new in 1990.
Spent 17 years in SoCal after getting out of the Air Force SSGT (SAC) Missile Communications VAFB .
Mick
|UPDATED|10/8/2014 4:00:28 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
I can't recommend a mechanic in the 29Palms area but I CAN tell you what I'd do. Pull that recently replaced thermostat and put it in a pan full of water, with a thermometer. Heat it on the stove,it should be fully open at 195 degrees if it's stock. I have a 160 degree thermostat in my '90. I recently replaced all the hoses and flushed the cooling system. Never have had an overheating problem since new in 1990.
Spent 17 years in SoCal after getting out of the Air Force SSGT (SAC) Missile Communications VAFB .
Mick
|UPDATED|10/8/2014 4:00:28 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
in Forum: C4 General Discussion
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