I bet that's it. I asked a couple of friends, and the car I was talking about was a '98 Cobra. And you're right, it's vacuum pump, not a pressure one like I was thinking. Good luck!

 

Best of luck to you! I hope this is the solution so you can start enjoying the car.

 

Vacuumed down the cooling system and held it on a vacuum for 10 mins at 21 inches the needle never moved.

Filled the system under a vacuum NO AIR !!

run the car idling outside. 160 , 170, 180 fans come on 185, 190, 195, 200, 105, 210, 220, 225, and I killed the car.................

Im taking a break from it for a week, I have some ice cold beer and a new spa that is calling my name.

F this thing...

Steve

 

I think your issue could be from CSR pump combined with aftermarket radiator and fan. The stock cooling setup is actually pretty dam good if you ask me. The CSR flows less than the stock pump. My meziere HD flows decent at low rpms, but stock pump was doing better during these hot summer days. The other day (95 and humid) my needle climbed to the halfway mark on the freeway. Normally runs at the 1/4 mark, and maybe gets 2 clicks higher on hotter, dryer days. 160 tstat and fans on at 165.

I don't have a massive build like you have, but I can tell you i've modified my car 1 mod at a time and tested, then move forward. Car is my daily. Once the stock pump was gone, i did see temps climb a little faster. Once I pulled the lower plastic guards, the car wants to run a little hotter on the freeway. If i try and get into boost on these hot days, the temp goes up fast and takes FOREVER to come down. Car can cruise in the city for 15-30 min just fine, but after that, temps start to climb to 3/8 mark.

What I haven't tried yet, is changing the mix. I'm still 50/50, is that what your running? I'm going to switch to 70/30 when car isn't my daily, but that's not going to work for this winter (some days the high is in the 20s) In an old turbo car I had, changing the mix up helped tremendously. Just an idea. Don't stress it too much, that car is going to be nasty when you get the bugs worked out!

 

I am going to put the stock fans and radiator in the car. I think i may change the water pump to a meziere as well when its all apart.

I have a 50/50 mix of distilled water and dex cool.

Im not stressing to bad, I just was using this car to get things off my mind. My GF and I broke it off after 3.5 years this month...

Steve

 

Go with the HD meziere 55gpm compared to 43gpm on the regular.

Sorry about your GF situation, but at least you can go to the garage in peace. Its a miracle if i get 1-2 hours to go play in the garage per week! Basically, i have to do the job in my head about 10 times so i get stuff done in the short windows i have

 

Having been through tough, hard to detect problems in the past, I'm sure it's something simple that has somehow missed detection. You've been very thorough and, whatever it is, you're bound to find it soon. Keep the chin up and the wrenches turning. The good times with the car (and a new better GF?) are just around the corner.

 

*Update*

I spoke with Griffin and they said the CSR pump doesn’t flow enough coolant to support the capacity of the radiator.

They suggested going the meziere heavy-duty pump that it would correct the issue. they stated you opened the size of the system (2.5 gallons more) but are using the same pump, now you have a low volume, low pressure system which cant transfer the heat quick enough to keep the car cool.

Makes sense to me.

So I have 2 options;

1. put the stock radiator and fans in, Cost is free only time may keep the car cool (It worked before)
2. buy the heavy duty pump for $225.00 and hope that it keeps the car cool and sell the CSR ( may work who knows)


Steve

 

I would be tempted to put the stock stuff back on first and test to see if it does keep it cool. Later on, after you regain some confidence in the setup, perhaps opt for the higher capacity pump.
Good luck!

 

X2 I would try the stock stuff first too and see where it gets you! The guy from griffin was probably correct on the bigger radiator and flowing capacity of it, maybe thats why the pump sounded weird! It could't keep up! Anyhow hurry up already and quit bullsh!tting...LMAO Like I'm one to talk. Good luck.

 

I've been offline for a couple of weeks now busy with work, the pre-wife, and finishing my build. Did you ever get this sorted out?

 

No changes, I have been dealing with my break up with my 3.5 year relationship. I was supposed to be married next month and this has been tough...

I figured i should stay away from the car so i dont smash it with a batt if the issues continue. lol

It looks this weekend the raditor and fans will be replaced.

Steve

 

I'm really sorry to hear that Steve! If I had the cash right now, I'd fly to Vegas and buy you a drink (I haven't been there yet and have been looking for a good reason). Best of luck this weekend, let us know how it goes.

 

Steve, sorry to hear. Stick with it.

 

I say get the meziere pump like the guy said. IMO hes right on the money. The csr pump does not flow enough for a larger system, or a radical setup. The csr flows like 37, the base meziere 43, and the HD 118 meziere is 55gpm. Thats a huge difference bro. Pull that sucka out, sell it, and get the 118 HD. Look at what you're trying to run, with a pump thats meant for a mild build. Now I live in humid hot climate myself, and these cars are tough to keep cool if your system isnt 100%. But lets not forget, these cars ran at 220 once hot b4. 220-230 is hotter than Id like for sure, but its not going to kill it unless you got way too much timing and bad fuel. Try the HD pump and see what happens!