Long post, so grab a beer.

1996 3.8L Camaro. 195,000 KMs.

Two days ago, I noticed my temp gauge climbing higher than normal.

The car takes about 10 minutes to get to temperature, then rises to half
scale quickly (fluctuates up and down ~ 10 degrees once there).

I can hear pinging when I accelerate under load (probably Detonation).

Power is definitely lower than normal.

I can hear hissing from around the EGR tube the same area where the
coolant neck connects to the intake manifold.

There does not seem to be a vacuum leak, but I'm not going to rule that
out. The hissing may be coming from the EGR tube, or pressure escaping
from the coolant neck (no coolant leaks and rad is full).

As for the EGR valve, I took it off and cleaned it. The valve moves freely.
I am not getting an EGR code.

P1441, EVAP: "Flow during no purge" is the only DTC that is setting.
That doesn't seem to be related to the overheating because P1441 EVAP
is a fuel tank venting system.

For the short term I have filled up with high octane fuel as a safe guard.
High octane fuel (94)

I'm going to pull the thermostat to keep the heads colder to reduce my
knock counts.

For those that don't want to get confused, stop here and make some
suggestions. Those with Scan Tool experience, these are my results:

Engine coolant: 200 - 223 degrees F, or 100 degrees C (<that's higher than acceptable)

Knock Active Counts: 38 counts in 4 minutes.

Timing Pulled: As high as 8.4 degrees under cruising conditions (closed loop).

EGR System Monitoring Status: Failed (< Linked to P1441 code?)
EGR Duty Cycle: 37.3% to 50.6 % (< seems fine?)
EGR Pintle Position Error: -2% to 7% (Linear EGR valve on 3.8L Motor, pintle?)

Any ideas what to try?

Back in a few, going to the garage.
Thanks in advance!

 

Hey man, got the same problem sorta!

check your coolant umm bleed the system, they gave directions in my post in here!

other that that I have no clue!

 

I've had the air in my system before; these symptoms are different.

Did you find your problem yet? If not, I have some ideas for you since
I'm trying to get my issue cleared up.

 

the 3.8s come with a 195 degree thmero..

every one of our cars will stay around 200- 210 degrees..

 

i had the same problem. u should think about putting a fan switch in ur car. it helped me a lot, cause my temp would go up to 200 but after i put the fan switch in it stays at 180 or lower. but my only problem is that i only have 1 fan working right now so it could go lower then 180.

 

There's definitely an issue with the cooling system.

It never reached 200'F during cruising.

The needle would normally sit between the 25% and 40% deflection.

Suddenly a few days ago, the temp gauge began to climb rapidly to the
50% point and sometimes hovers over the 50% mark.

The ambient temperature is about 50'F this week. Still very cool weather.

A diagnostic scan reveals knock counts, hi temps (200-219 'F) and will not
come down.

Last night I flushed the rad and purged the air. We'll see how it goes today.

 

oops, mine stays around 210 .. i thought that was normal? .. all the mechanics said it was.