Hey everyone. I posted a while back about my camaro running real hot after I installed the headers.

I bled the coolant system a couple of times.

It seemed to help the first time I did it, but I recently did it last week and it didn't change.

My friend brought up a point....is it possible that the new headers put out so much heat that they give the coolant temp sensor a false reading, and it sends a false reading to the gauge inside the car ?

If that is the case, can I wrap the coolant sensor in Cool Tape ? Or some type of insulating item ?

Thanks !

Any ideas ?

 

How hot?? Are the fans coming on when the temp gets to about 220? The coolant sensor measures coolant temp by being in contact with the coolant inside the engine, wrapping the outside of the sensor in insulation will accomplish nothing

 

I don't know the number off hand....but if it sits and idles for about 1 minute, it will reach about 3/4 of the way.....and it keeps climbing. It will get into the red if it sits long enough. Once you start moving the temp goes back down to about 1/4.

I noticed that if I turn the heater on it helps cool it down a little

And yes the fans are coming on, I don't know at what temp they are turning on at though.

Any Ideas ?

 

Install a 160 degree thermostat and have your ecu programmed to have the fans turn on at 170...my car never runs hotter than 175 at idle. around 170 driving.

 

sounds like the radiator could use a good flushing. are your fans coming on at all?

 

Yea the fans are coming on. I did crawl under and check a while back. When it first started getting real hot.

It didn't start running real hot at idle until after I did the headers.

It would still run hot sometimes at idle before the headers but it wouldn't get as hot as fast. Now at idle it heats up fast

 

my car is the same way but i have the factory exhaust manifolds. When i first got it I didnt have heat so ended up replacing the heater core, thermostat, and waterpump. After that it was fine for a while but I just noticed it starting to do it again. I think that air might be getting into the system. Yours could be getting air in there too. Im going to replace the radiator cap and see if that helps. Since I have no leaks, If air is getting in that would be the most likely place.

 

Ok I will try replacing the radiator cap....Just the cap that goes on the radiator right ? Is that the cap you are referring to ?

 

Yeah, it might not be the problem but it's cheap and easy enough to try.

 

I called the auto part store today, they are $4.99.

I'm gonna go pick it up tomorrow... Can you please let me know if the radiator cap solves your issue ?

Thanks for the input !