Car running hot?

[97fatboy]

My 97 GTS seems to run on the high side of 190 degrees mark and will creep out of the normal range when in traffic. What would be the first things a DIY'er should try before taking it to the shop? I am concerned that it will be worse in the summer months, as it is only in the 60's here. It is still under a DC warranty.

 

[InjectTheVenom]

Sounds like a fault somewhere in the cooling system... check your coolant pump.

 

[99 R/T 10]

Get a 180 degree thermostat from www.roeracing.com It will keep your engine cooler while driving around and allow for a little longer time in stop and go traffic before the fan kicks in.

 

[99GTSACR]

Does the temp come back down to normal after the fan runs awhile? The fan doesn't kick in until the temp is over the normal mark.

 

[Gerald Levin]

Get a 180 degree thermostat from www.roeracing.com It will keep your engine cooler while driving around and allow for a little longer time in stop and go traffic before the fan kicks in.

Isn't the 180 thermostat a PITA to install? It's not like on most cars where you remove 2 bolts and R & R the thermostat and you are in and out in a few minutes. Doesn't this require more than basic mechanical skills? And how much time for a novice to install a 180 thermostat?

 

[venomblue550]

i think you have to remove the entire upper intake mainfold to just get to the thermostat, it's like 1.5 hour job, not too hard, just takes time, and by the way, while the upper intake is off, why not send it over here, we can chrome it for you....lol

 

[Jerry Dobson]

97fatboy,

Vipers run on the VERY warm side. All of them do. You may not even have a problem. The fans don't kick in until over 200.

Most of the cars run hot but never over heat. Is your antifreeze ALL the way topped off? Do you have a small amount of air in the system? Top off the fluid, leave the cap off and squeeze the upper radiator hose. Any bubbles?

The thermostat is not easy. You have to remove the intake manifold. Once you replace the thermostat, you can't confirm no-leaks until you put it all back together. Most of us will take longer than 1.5 hours. Viper guys want to clean everything and yes maybe a little bling bling would be nice as you remove the pieces. It's no different than shining your Harley

 

[Gerald]

most everytime it's air in your system. There are many different ways to get the air out from burping your system to installing a "Prestone" quick anti-freeze draining system near your heaterhose. Cost is about $5.00. Worth 10x it's weight in gold.

Get the air out and your car will run much cooler.

G

 

[99 R/T 10]

Get a 180 degree thermostat from www.roeracing.com It will keep your engine cooler while driving around and allow for a little longer time in stop and go traffic before the fan kicks in.

Isn't the 180 thermostat a PITA to install? It's not like on most cars where you remove 2 bolts and R & R the thermostat and you are in and out in a few minutes. Doesn't this require more than basic mechanical skills? And how much time for a novice to install a 180 thermostat?

Depends on if it is a Gen I or Gen II. I have done a switch out on both of my cars(one of each ). The Gen I generally does NOT require a manifold removal, but the Gen II does. I think it is easier on the Gen II(not hard to take off the manifold) because everything is right in front of you. The Gen I, you must remove the wipers and cowl to be able to get you arm in and around to the bolts and housing. It can be done on most, but you must be flexable.

 

[95Viper]

A couple points about air in the system. It's easier to get air out of you jack the passenger front side up. This will ensure the tank with radiator cap is higher than upper radiator hose and air will work its way out when burping. Only fill the tank half full when burping or coolant will spill out. Don't let it go dry when burping and top off and cap when done. Buy a small pack of spring hose clamps, I found them in the Help section of Autozone for $2. Clamp the 3 rubber to metal connections on the line between the coolant tank and the front facia puke tank. During cool down air can be drawn into the system if not. Do one more thing and replace coolant cap and ensure it is a spring type center versus a drop type. This was a factor in my 95 problems.

The car does normally run around the top three marks. If you are going over after the above fixes, you saif you have a warranty. Take it in for the pump to be checked.

 

[joe117]

And remember, the 180 thermostat will be all the way open at 180.
If you are already running on the high side of 190, you probably won't see any change.

If it was an easy thing to change, I'd say go for it but since it's a little bet more of a job than most thermostat replacements, I wouldn't make it the first thing to do.

Air in the system should be the first thing you go after.

On top of that, it doesn't sound like it's really running any hotter than most Vipers.

 

[Gerald]

I installed and bought a 180 degree thermostat. I should have saved my money. Did absolutley nothing..... Get the air out of your system....

 

[AG98RT10]

Mine's tending to creep up at traffic lights on a warm day. Vette did that too. Figure it's just the design -fans kick in kinda late. Everything goes back below 190 when the air is flowing again.

One thing some don't realize is that the oil needs to get above 205 for a goodly period every so often to evaporate all the moisture and other bad stuff away...

 

[97fatboy]

Thanks for everything. I guess I should have went back and read the service manual. I didn't realize the temperature fluctuated that much during normal operation. I will, however, burp my cooling system today, just as a precaution.

 

[97fatboy]

F/U I checked the Coolant Recovery Bottle through the fenderwell and I can barely see the fluid level. With a cold motor, it is well below the "low" mark. The pressure bottle is 3/4 full. Would air cause this or is it more reflective of a bad pressure cap?

 

[pullshard]

Since were on the subject, and summer is on the way, is there a fan switch that can be bought that allows the fans to come on sooner? I have one on another car I have and it did wonders when driving around town. Car runs 20 degrees cooler with the switch. Yes, the fans work more, but I would rather have a fan go out sooner then my engine or other parts, ie.. head gasket. Also, I'm thinking of installing a different (performance) radiator. How much do these help?
Thanks guys. Oh yeah, this is on a 2000 gts.

 

[95Viper]

That front facia bottle level is harder to see than one thinks. Many think they see the level but it's a shadow off the headlight wiring when you stick a flashlight in the donut hole. Validate this by checking at night in garage with flashlight in hole...fluid will light up.

Your pressure bottle should be full and facia bottle between the marks. Jack up, burp, replace cap (spring type not drop type), clamp hose in three spots.

 

[SapphireGTS]

Its all an airflow problem. With my blower, a 180 degree t-stat and NO cowl the car runs at about 10 o'clock on the freeway. That is distrubing cool. With the cowl on it runs a bit hotter but the 180 degree helps alot.

 

[Mark Red GTS Cooper]

Can someone host a pic of a simple fix for the air bleed?

Mark..

 

[ViperRay]

Get the air bleeders from Keith Verges (Speedworks). Easy install.

Ray

 

[Gerald Levin]

Can someone host a pic of a simple fix for the air bleed?

Mark..

I'm with Mark on this. Sure would like to see a pic. Anyone?

 

[ViperRay]

Check out the How To section.

 

[Stang7900]

It's ok to run at those temps, they are still in a way safe operating range. 15 degrees is no big deal, i think your wasting your time, drive that b_tch!!

 

[HOdbleFman]

97 Fatboy, I have the same exact problem. Your car is doing the same thing as mine and I have the same concern about it getting hotter in the summer. It didn't start doing this until last November. I have noticed that it will get worse the more I drive it, and then I can burp the cooling system and it will "almost" fix the problem. I'm going to try the speed bleeder kit and see if there is still some air in the system that I am not able to completely remove. You almost have to have someway of opening up the heater hose since it is the highest point in the cooling system, therefore I thinking burping it by squeezing the main radiator hose is not sufficient. Someone correct me if I'm wrong here.