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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/temp gauge reaches 230

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Expert: - 7/11/2006


Question
I have a 1999 Chevy Silverado that had developed a fluid leak it was due to a bad thermostate seal. I had the seal replaced and then added my coolant. After the seal was replaced I had my temp gauge constenly telling me I was about to over heat. I changed the sending unit and the thermostate and flushed the radiator. All of this done I am still hitting 230 degrees, yet when I turn on the heater my thermostate goes down to normal operating range. Is ther something that I have failed to do?  

Answer
Anthony,

I have seen this happen due to air in the cooling system.  Sometimes when changing components such as a thermostat, you have to bleed the cooling system.  Another possibility, is that when you flushed out the radiator, you loosened up some contaminants such as rust, and actually plugged the radiator tubes.  This would explain why it cools down when you turn on the heater.

I would try flushing the radiator again.

This is assuming that the water pump, and cooling fan are working properly.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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