my 95 3.4 camaro runs fine but it seems to get to hot to fast but not quite overheating i just flushed the radiator still doing it i see a small leak looks like a power steering leak dont know and my oil pressure is in the middle when i first start the car to warm it up then afetr maybe ten minutes it goes down to between the first slash mark and the redline why is this and i smell gas fumes when i drive sometimes but it runs great any help

 

I've noticed the same exact things with my 96 3.8 v6. Previous owner told me that the standard GM thermostat doesn't open until 220 degrees and I should get a 180 degree thermostat if I want to stop this. Also that there was a recall on the fuel lines. He took it in to the dealership, but I still smell gas sometimes. Does your oil pressure go back up when you give it gas? Mine goes back to the middle.

 

mine was overheating while idling... I changed out the thermostat and its perfect now. the oil pressure is pretty much in the middle till it gets warmed up... then its a lil below halfway.

 

As the car heats up, oil pressure will indicate a little lower. When oil is cold, it more resistant to flow and will build up a little pressure. As the oil warms up, it becomes freer flowing and the pressure drops.

 

Mine was overheating while sitting in a drive thru waiting on dinner the other day.... think I mighta found the issue tho... the radiator cap... I just replaced it. I thinking it was spitting the fluid out but not drawing it back in.

 

The stock thermostat opens at 195, not 220. Your radiator fans don't kick on until 225.

But your oil pressure, when the car is hot... Should not be below 25-30 psi at the lowest. If it is, what weight are you using? You should be running 10w-30.

Does the car misfire any when you drive it? Are your O2s working properly? The gas smell could be unburnt fuel entering your exhaust from the car pouring too much fuel from faulty O2s. Could also be a timing issue but the car should correct that itself.

If you haven't replaced the thermostat, I would do that. Because if it sticks and stays... Your car is in for a world of hurt.

 

I have had the same problem with oil pressure for the year that I have owned my 94 Camaro. Most mechanics (I only talk to the ones who have any sense) have said that 20 pounds of pressure idle is perfectly normal. (first slash mark is 20 btw) Anyway mine most of the time when it heats up goes down to 10-15. Now I have a pretty good oil leak in my rear seal (getting it replaced soon) So I put about a quart of oil a week in it (or more) to keep it up on the dip stick.

Anyway I think I need a new oil pump, but if anyone has had the same problems and it was something else please tell me.

 

My car runs perfectly normal, except for low fuel mileage and occasional gas smell. I figure the 2 are related. I get less than 250 miles out of a full tank split 50/50 city and highways. No codes for O2 sensors. Check engine lights up when I go through the car wash or if it is really damp outside. Only code is EGR valve. It always resets itself quickly. I had a tough time even diagnosing it, since it doesn't stay on for long.

Previous owner changed out the thermostat, just prior to me buying it. Got a factory one from GM, so it is new, but my temp doesn't go down till it hits the 3/4 mark. Then it goes down rapidly. Only does it if I'm sitting in traffic, never when I'm driving normally. I'm gonna get this 160 degree thermostat:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HYP-1...QQcmdZViewItem

I use 10w-30 oil, changed it about 2000 miles ago. No leaks or anything. I remember my 90 Cavalier Z24 3.1 V6 did the same thing with the oil pressure. Needle stayed at 1/4 mark until I gave it gas, then moved to about halfway. Maybe it's common with Chevy V6s?