Just installed my new engine. I have both fans turned on. Drove around in about 80 degrees and my temp went up to about 240 after about 12 miles. I bled the system. What gives?

 

mine is freshly rebuilt also. While sitting in stop n go traffic in Minneapolis, mine got to almost the 3rd tick which should have been about 230. But my 160 thermostat was opening at 173 and fully open around low 190's. So I replaced it with a good 160. I only drive around here in Sioux Falls, SD not heavy traffic, and it gets between the first and middle ticks on the guage. So I am going to pull my radiator and take it to a shop to be inspected and perhaps cleaned.

ZMAN

 

No overheating issues when I rebuilt my motor. If you suspect the radiator, you can get a new one for $130.

 

Is that a dealer price? Parts house?

Also where can I go to have it pressure tested?

 

Internet parts house; looks identical to the GM piece.

 

I was having the same problems and I went and had it pressure tested and it was clogged. If thats the case they can blow the clogs out and it will work like a champ. I have a 180 t-stat and I run between the first and middle clicks.

 

i had this issue on my V6, adn also on my LT, where the heater hoses go into the metal pieces they sometimes rust/come apart and creat tiny air gaps that make it so that the coolant doesnt flow right. just a thought.

 

Unfortuantely I start school tomorrow 360 miles away from my car. I left it at home b/c i didn't feel like it was properly broken in. I do suspect there is a pressure leak. What kind of places will do pressure testing? Is there any way to find out where the leak would be? Or is it just a look around til you find it deal?

 

usually if you start the car then get it hot, look for steam, look for dirpping water and moisture. thas the only was i can think of to do it without a mechanic. i know some places like firestone do coolant system, pressure checks. but the most common places are the connections with metal on them.

 

Does that still have the junky plastic side tanks? I'd like to find one with metal tanks.

 

Never had overheating issues after rebuild, Stat or Radiator is your suspect.

 

you can buy a pressure tester for about $120 (snap-on)
craftsman probably has a cheaper one. If you work on camero's they are worth the investment. I have replaced SOOOOOOOO many camaro radiators

but if you can't afford one this is what I would do:
First I would double check and make sure you bled the system correctly. DO IT AGAIN. next let it heat up, make sure the fans come on and look for steam or water residue like snakethis69 said. If you still don't see anything, wait til the engine cools and drain a little fluid out of the petcock in to a bowl or something
look for red/pink residue or bubbles. The last thing really doesn't apply if you have a M/T but leaks in to the tran's cooler are quite popular on A/T's
They usually cause a slow overheating problem.

 

The verdict was radiator was %95 clogged. I don't really know if that number is all that accurate, but apparently it was too bad to fix. New radiator solved the problem. Any one else running out of original parts on the car?

 

I still have the original doo hickey, that is next to the hooptey slap. On my 95 Z.

 

Original passenger seat...... Thats about it