When I got home last night and left the car idle for a few minutes I noticed the temperature started to increase...I shut off the engine and after it cool down I started it back up removed the radiator cap, added some water rev the engine a few times then the water started pouring out...
any ideas ?????

 

water expands when it is hot, as it cooled it contracted, making the radiator seem not-full. you added water and as it warmed back up...the water expanded and overflowed the radiator.

you're better off pouring water in the resevoir and letting the radiator refill to capacity the way it was designed.

check to see if your cooling fans are operating fine. one of the motors could have burned out.

but realize, the first fan doesn't come on till something like 225deg

 

Thanks for the reply !! question, once I check for the fans assuming they turn on properly, what do I wanna do next?? or how can I tell if my thermostat is out ??

 

Check out shoebox's site if you continue to have a problem, he has a LT1 cooling troubleshooting guide http://shbox.com/1/4th_gen_tech2.html#cooling

 

theremostats don't generally fail...since they are pretty simple mechanical devices.

seems i heard that new stats are designed to fail in the open position.

when you said you "noticed the temperature start to increase"....could you be more specific? obviously sitting in the driveway, with no air flow over the radiator (other than the fans) the car is gonna heat up.

are we talking 240+ on the guage?

it's possible your radiator is plugged or you wp is crapping out.

 

Yes, by temperature incersing I'm mean on the red !!!
I had posted a thread yesterday about "ses light" then on my went back home the engine just die !!??!! on the freeway, (not overheating at this point)
so I let it chilled for a few minutes I started back up, go to the gas station & inspected the engine didn't noticed anything. so I drove it home, and I soon as I got home the temperature increase, then I look under the car and it's pouring waster all over the place, now it's dark so coulndt' really see where the water was leaking from, my guess it's the reservoir tank.
??? I did feel a little loss of power while driving back home thougt, someone suggested that it was possibly a misfire ????? so wha do you guys thinK ??????

 

Check and make sure you have enough coolant. After that drive it around and let it warm up a bit. I think typical opperating temp on a LT1 should be (it is for me anyway) 190-210. I believe the first fan comes on around 207-212?? I think it should also come on when your AC is on. If your engine is eating coolant (meaning you keep havin to put more in) and its running like crap you may have a blown head gasket?!?

Anyways, hope that helps some. I suggust checking the coolant then if that doesn't help flush the coolant and replace the thermostat.

 

i blew a head yesterday....pray thats not it.

your car will overheat because the coolant will disappear. (burning with fuel) start smoking more and exhaust will smell sweet. might see yellowish slop in oil or heads.

my car overheated i replaced the stat and inspected the water pump... kept doing it... i was stumped. started falling on its face and smelling strange.

if this happens...start crying

 

Thanks for the replies, I will definitely try those suggestions ...

and yeah I hope is not a gasket, already happened to me once an it wasn't kool nor cheap ...

I will try the thermostat fist then refill the radiator.. I'll keep you guys posted !!!

 

Anytime you open the coolant system up you can introduce air into the system. You need to burp the system to expell trapped air via the bleed screws.

 

What was the code which caused your SES Light to come on?

You could have a temp sensor problem. If the coolant sensor is bad, the PCM will never know the motor is hot enough to need the fans.

I agree with the previous poster. Start with the proper air bleed procedure and see what happens from there. Also, you can turn the A/C on and the fans should come on as long as the car is sitting still.

Thomas.

 

Cool thanks again for your comments !!! to bring you up to date last night I went to autozone bought some anti-freeze and a new thermostat(which by the way the thermostat looks somewhat different, have you guys ever bought a thermostat for autozone/?? it looks smaller somehow.)

Anyways the temperature did droped !! and I took it for a few runs and it did not overheated ... pretty cool, BUT I notice that the waterpump leaks !!!!WTF !! but it's weird it only leaks when the engine it's not running ????

 

Does any body have a water pump installation guide ??

or if you could post a link or something, kool !!!

 

well you have to make sure to get a reverse flow thermostat...specific to the lt1.

and the wp will leak out of the weep hole, as the seals and bearings wear out.

i'd take the oportunity to install an electric wp

 

If the weep hole is leaking (running or not) it is time to replace the waterpump. You just found the source of your overheating.

I'd recommend you get a repair manual for your car. I personally have the GM Service Manuals, but if those are too procey, at least get a Chiltons or Haynes manual; either will detail a waterpump R&R.

Thomas.