I have an 2002 SS that seems to be overheating. On a hot daywhen I'm traveling on the hwy between 65mph and 75mph the temperature gauge starts to climb over 210 degrees to around the 230 degrees. It did come close to 250 once before I shut it down. Once I pull of the highway and get on the side roads the temperature drops down to 200 to 210. Both electric fans are working and I have checked the antifreeze level and it is topped off. Does this sound like a thermostat or water pump or should I be looking elesewhere. Anyone elese have problems with overheating on a 90+ degree day at hwy speeds. Any help would be great!!!!!!

Thanks

Steve

 

Check that the fronbt air damn is still on the car. It's a plastic flap that hangs down under the nose of the car, it's only a coulple inches wide but it is needed.

 

Just looked under the car and didn't see the air damn. I'm assuming the air damn is attached to the frame right below the bottom of the radiator. I see there are about 6-8 holes to attach something and I assuming it is the air damn. Am I looking in the right area?

I hope this is my problem.

I just got this car a week ago and this was the first time I had it on the hwy on a 95 degree day.

 

Yup your looking in the right area and sounds like yours is missing. Try and find one at the jusnkyard or somthing. Its the same part on all f bodies.

 

i have a 2K Z28and hadthe same problems just recently. if the temperature is spiking no offence the air dam ismore than likely notyour issue.
do you know for a fact that your car is getting hot or is the temp gague just jumping up?
more than likely your thermostat could besticking witch will causemiss reads on yourtemp gague
or your thermostat housing, dont worry they wont have to replace your water pump, if they say that they are lying to you. this should cost you around 150 200 bucks.
let me know...

 

If that air damn is missing there will not be enough air flow going through the radiator at speed. I have seen this many times when people remove them, and the OP's car is missing this piece. It's a lot cheaper to replace this than to have a shop do a T-stat. My shop specializes in fbodies and Vettes and I see this problem all the time.

 

it seems that we have a constant conflict. i like it.
i removed my plastic dam 5 or 6 months ago and never had that problem and when i had my overheating problem resolved that was my solution and my plastic dam peice was never mentioned to me by my mechanic who has been a friend for 12 plus years.
with the same types of symtoms the thermostat housing sounds to me the solution.
i do hope he gets it fixed then i suppose we will know for certain.

 

True that there are many different things that could be wrong, I would hate to see this guy dump $150 on a replacement t-stat when he can get a air dam for $20 at the junkyard. Check the small things first. And #12 I am not trying to have conflict with you, i am just giving my first hand experiences.

 

i know man, the context was in fun. i also speak from experince. but your right small things first.

 

Well....I put an air damn on and so far the overheating hasn't happen again.I drove it yesterday on the hwy for about 40-50 minutes runningbetween 70-80 mph and the temp never got over 200 degrees (according to the gauge). I'm not going to say it is fixed yet since the daytime temp. hasn't been over 90 degrees since I put on the air damn but itwill be getting hot again next week and I will try it again. Thanks again for the respones and I will let everyone know how it all turns out.

Steve