Engine overheats after shutdown

[geoholt3]

My 97 Trans Am with WS6 and Ram Air only overheats after you shut the motor off.

Is there a temp sensor that is supposed to keep the fan on until the engine cools?

Thanks in advance,

George

[pajeff02]

All engines heat soak after you shut them down. For a brief period the temperature will climb as the coolant absorbs heat from the engine. Even if the fans continue to run after shut off, they simply cool what fluid is in the radiator. At best, there may be some very minimal convection circulation until the thermostat closes since the water pump is no longer turning.

How hot does it get and have you checked it with a scanner?

[geoholt3]

All engines heat soak after you shut them down. For a brief period the temperature will climb as the coolant absorbs heat from the engine. Even if the fans continue to run after shut off, they simply cool what fluid is in the radiator. At best, there may be some very minimal convection circulation until the thermostat closes since the water pump is no longer turning.

How hot does it get and have you checked it with a scanner?

It gets very close to the red zone on the gauge. What kind of scanner should I use?

[DaddySS]

If it gets that hot after shut down it may be running too hot to begin with. I would check the cooling system and make sure everything good and have the cap checked to make sure it is holding pressure.

There is also an option in the tune to allow the fans to run after shut off.

[sunsetorangess]

How do you know its over heating?
Our gages arent very accurate..
J

[geoholt3]

If it gets that hot after shut down it may be running too hot to begin with. I would check the cooling system and make sure everything good and have the cap checked to make sure it is holding pressure.

There is also an option in the tune to allow the fans to run after shut off.

There is one thing that happened the other day. There was a plastic valve of some sort in the one of the heater hoses. It was near the pump itself. It broke after parking the vehicle. I assume it was so hot that the pressure in the hose broke it. I didn't replace the whole hose, I just bought a 3/4" splice and some clamps to get the car running again.

What was that valve for? I noticed it had a pencil size hole inside to let the fluid through to the heater core.

Thanks, George

[Smittro]

There is one thing that happened the other day. There was a plastic valve of some sort in the one of the heater hoses. It was near the pump itself. It broke after parking the vehicle. I assume it was so hot that the pressure in the hose broke it. I didn't replace the whole hose, I just bought a 3/4" splice and some clamps to get the car running again.

What was that valve for? I noticed it had a pencil size hole inside to let the fluid through to the heater core.

Thanks, George

I'm just guessing but believe it's an air purge valve. So trapped air can be bled from the cooling system..

[geoholt3]

I'm just guessing but believe it's an air purge valve. So trapped air can be bled from the cooling system..

It was inline, so I don't see how it could have purged air. There was a spring inside it as well. I'm thinking it was some kind of restricter vavle, but why would it be inline with a heater core?

[Smittro]

It was inline, so I don't see how it could have purged air. There was a spring inside it as well. I'm thinking it was some kind of restricter vavle, but why would it be inline with a heater core?

Most likely it is an air purge valve. Heater core line is possibly higher than the rad. Air tends to rise when in a liquid. Alot of GM cars have this purge valve..

[geoholt3]

Most likely it is an air purge valve. Heater core line is possibly higher than the rad. Air tends to rise when in a liquid. Alot of GM cars have this purge valve..

Hmmm, thanks. Who makes the best manual for these cars?

[Smittro]

Hmmm, thanks. Who makes the best manual for these cars?

Off the shelf I'd have to say Chiltons. But a true tech manual as found @ a GM dealer shop would most likely be the best..

[DaddySS]

That's a flow restrictor to so that you don't get too much pressure from the cooling system into the heater core. Be sure to replace it 'cause you don't want to blow the core. BTW if your car has not been thoroughly flushed and new antifreeze put in you should do that. The LT1s have a good deal of problems with antifreeze contamination.

[Smittro]

That's a flow restrictor to so that you don't get too much pressure from the cooling system into the heater core. Be sure to replace it 'cause you don't want to blow the core. BTW if your car has not been thoroughly flushed and new antifreeze put in you should do that. The LT1s have a good deal of problems with antifreeze contamination.

Seriously? I've never heard of a PRV on an engines cooling sys..hmmm

[geoholt3]

How do you know its over heating?
Our gages arent very accurate..
J

If you go by the marks, mine usually runs on the 1/4 mark. After engine shutdown it climbs to the 3/4 mark just shy of the red zone. They may not be all that accurate, but the drastic change tells me somethings not right.

Capiche?