1995 LT1 overheating-
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1
1995 LT1 overheating-
I have a 1995 LT1 coupe that overheats when stopped in traffic and outside temp exceeds 85. I have a new radiator and heater and recently had new thermostat installed by Mr Goodwrench local dealer. I aksed dealer to install lower thermostat and they refused, CA emissions law. Car still overheats to 230 before the fans kick in. Is this normal? I have noticed sporadic overflow from radiator. What else could cause this?
Thanks
Gene in San Jose
Thanks
Gene in San Jose
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,567
From: eastern NC
RE: 1995 LT1 overheating-
from my other replies on overheatin'...
Could be just a lotta' bug jam in the radiator - horseflies, mosquitos, lizards, deer, flounder, ya know...
Seriously, get a hose blowing through the fins...
Get a thermometer in the heat duct, early in the morning, warm motor, heat on,tomake sure you got flow in the heat core. Then go from there...
Water pump, water flow, thermostat.
Here's your problem:
1) Your water pump is bad.
2) You have flow blockage.
3) The thermostat is bad (same as blockage).
Cold motor. Drain and recover your coolant. Put your garden hose in the coolant hose in one place. Disconnect the coolant hose in severalOTHER places, ONE AT A TIME, to check for flow. Observe also for'jam' of any sort.
YOU WILL NEED A FLOW SCHEMATIC FOR THIS, TO MAKE SURE IT'S COMING OUT WHERE IT SHOULD. A BLOCKAGE WILL MAKE IT COME OUT IN THE WRONG PLACE. I THINK HAYNES HAS IT.
Before puttin' back in your coolant, get the residual tap water out with a shop vac. You will afterward still have air in your system. If the TPI doesn't have a air bleed nipple, get on the highway, WITH HEAT ON!!! This should bring up the air. Check on a COLD motor.
If this fails, go to a radiator shop. They'll hit your pipes with a laser, and check for in-spec coolant temps to diagnose.
Could be just a lotta' bug jam in the radiator - horseflies, mosquitos, lizards, deer, flounder, ya know...
Seriously, get a hose blowing through the fins...
Get a thermometer in the heat duct, early in the morning, warm motor, heat on,tomake sure you got flow in the heat core. Then go from there...
Water pump, water flow, thermostat.
Here's your problem:
1) Your water pump is bad.
2) You have flow blockage.
3) The thermostat is bad (same as blockage).
Cold motor. Drain and recover your coolant. Put your garden hose in the coolant hose in one place. Disconnect the coolant hose in severalOTHER places, ONE AT A TIME, to check for flow. Observe also for'jam' of any sort.
YOU WILL NEED A FLOW SCHEMATIC FOR THIS, TO MAKE SURE IT'S COMING OUT WHERE IT SHOULD. A BLOCKAGE WILL MAKE IT COME OUT IN THE WRONG PLACE. I THINK HAYNES HAS IT.
Before puttin' back in your coolant, get the residual tap water out with a shop vac. You will afterward still have air in your system. If the TPI doesn't have a air bleed nipple, get on the highway, WITH HEAT ON!!! This should bring up the air. Check on a COLD motor.
If this fails, go to a radiator shop. They'll hit your pipes with a laser, and check for in-spec coolant temps to diagnose.
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 27
From:
RE: 1995 LT1 overheating-
Six months of research and addressing the normal stuff ie. radiator flush, removal of debris, thermostat replacement WP check etc. I've talked with Corvette shops and compared with other C4s seems to be the norm. My fan kicks on at 228 and turns off at 217. Not much room for air flow with these carsare idling. I recall a previous post describing a kit that is available to turn fans on sooner.If you do a search on this forum, you will find much info on this subject butI'm convinced this is normal.
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 117
From:
RE: 1995 LT1 overheating-
ORIGINAL: gem48
I have a 1995 LT1 coupe that overheats when stopped in traffic and outside temp exceeds 85. I have a new radiator and heater and recently had new thermostat installed by Mr Goodwrench local dealer. I aksed dealer to install lower thermostat and they refused, CA emissions law. Car still overheats to 230 before the fans kick in. Is this normal? I have noticed sporadic overflow from radiator. What else could cause this?
Thanks
Gene in San Jose
I have a 1995 LT1 coupe that overheats when stopped in traffic and outside temp exceeds 85. I have a new radiator and heater and recently had new thermostat installed by Mr Goodwrench local dealer. I aksed dealer to install lower thermostat and they refused, CA emissions law. Car still overheats to 230 before the fans kick in. Is this normal? I have noticed sporadic overflow from radiator. What else could cause this?
Thanks
Gene in San Jose
Look for a real corvette mechanic in your areathat can setup your car (Tune-up). It will stillpass emissions.
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6
From:
RE: 1995 LT1 overheating-
Have same problem with my '95 LT1.
I pull over at 230 and simply cruise a parking lot if it is all I can find. Just moving at a slow speed seems to cool it quickly.
How hot can we let them get before they blow?
Anyone know?
Cris4
I pull over at 230 and simply cruise a parking lot if it is all I can find. Just moving at a slow speed seems to cool it quickly.
How hot can we let them get before they blow?
Anyone know?
Cris4
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 150
From:
RE: 1995 LT1 overheating-
ORIGINAL: Cris4
Have same problem with my '95 LT1.
I pull over at 230 and simply cruise a parking lot if it is all I can find. Just moving at a slow speed seems to cool it quickly.
How hot can we let them get before they blow?
Anyone know?
Cris4
On a 95 the fans turn on "lo" at 228*. They go to "Hi" at 238* The fans run in concert, Those temps are normal. The digital temp is more accurate than the analog. Check your owners manual. It tells how to interpet the analog readout which is graduated in a way that can be a little confusing.
Have same problem with my '95 LT1.
I pull over at 230 and simply cruise a parking lot if it is all I can find. Just moving at a slow speed seems to cool it quickly.
How hot can we let them get before they blow?
Anyone know?
Cris4
On a 95 the fans turn on "lo" at 228*. They go to "Hi" at 238* The fans run in concert, Those temps are normal. The digital temp is more accurate than the analog. Check your owners manual. It tells how to interpet the analog readout which is graduated in a way that can be a little confusing.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 173
From:
RE: 1995 LT1 overheating-
as bad as it sounds 230* is what they run at and thats all there is too it[:@], you can have it re-chipped to attain lower temps by making your cooling fans come on at a lower temp than 228* with a combo of a lower temp themostat but other than that just drive it