DeltaBravo
Retired U.S. Army/Navy
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2014
My GN overheats!…230 degrees is the highest I’ve seen before I pull over and let her cool down.
Lingo- “highway speeds” = 65-70 mph and “city speeds” = 25-35 mph.
Conditions- All temps are referenced from scan master. I live in Southern California by Barstow, temp is 85-95 degrees. Car runs strong, no leaks with mild tune.
History- PO installed a front mount intercooler (F250 power stroke) , an F-body radiator and dual fans.
What I’ve experienced- The fans kick on at 170 and turns off at 162 and will continue this cycle at idle sitting in my drive way. While driving a city speeds, temp lingers around 180-190…if I get on it, the temp does shoot up into the 200 range but does come back down after driving at city speeds.
At high way speeds and flat ground the temps are in the 200 range, usually 205-215. But once I hit a slight uphill grade, the temp slowly start climbing. I will usually slow down to about 40 mph (cruise with the trucker’s) and the temp will hold at 230 until I creese the hill and start coasting on the back side. The temp will drop down to 190 or so at highway speed going down hill.
What I’ve checked- Radiator fluid is clean, coolant/water ratio is about 20/80 respectively. With the cap off and car at operating temp, I can clearly see fluid moving through the three cores of the radiator…so I know my pump and thermostat are working but I don’t know if they are working efficiently…
My theory- So based on the simple fact that like most things, air will take the path of least resistance. Because their wasn’t any radiator shrouds present, my theory is the air is entering passed the grill and because there isn’t anything to force it into the intercooler, condenser, and radiator, it’s simply diverging down and underneath the car and around the side of the intercooler. If any is getting pushed through the intercooler it isn’t much and then that small amount now has to cool down the condenser and radiator. I decided to make my own shrouds and see if it helps. Please see pics… Well, It didn’t! I’m not sure if my design was the cause of this theory not working or if it may be something else.
What next?
Lingo- “highway speeds” = 65-70 mph and “city speeds” = 25-35 mph.
Conditions- All temps are referenced from scan master. I live in Southern California by Barstow, temp is 85-95 degrees. Car runs strong, no leaks with mild tune.
History- PO installed a front mount intercooler (F250 power stroke) , an F-body radiator and dual fans.
What I’ve experienced- The fans kick on at 170 and turns off at 162 and will continue this cycle at idle sitting in my drive way. While driving a city speeds, temp lingers around 180-190…if I get on it, the temp does shoot up into the 200 range but does come back down after driving at city speeds.
At high way speeds and flat ground the temps are in the 200 range, usually 205-215. But once I hit a slight uphill grade, the temp slowly start climbing. I will usually slow down to about 40 mph (cruise with the trucker’s) and the temp will hold at 230 until I creese the hill and start coasting on the back side. The temp will drop down to 190 or so at highway speed going down hill.
What I’ve checked- Radiator fluid is clean, coolant/water ratio is about 20/80 respectively. With the cap off and car at operating temp, I can clearly see fluid moving through the three cores of the radiator…so I know my pump and thermostat are working but I don’t know if they are working efficiently…
My theory- So based on the simple fact that like most things, air will take the path of least resistance. Because their wasn’t any radiator shrouds present, my theory is the air is entering passed the grill and because there isn’t anything to force it into the intercooler, condenser, and radiator, it’s simply diverging down and underneath the car and around the side of the intercooler. If any is getting pushed through the intercooler it isn’t much and then that small amount now has to cool down the condenser and radiator. I decided to make my own shrouds and see if it helps. Please see pics… Well, It didn’t! I’m not sure if my design was the cause of this theory not working or if it may be something else.
What next?