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Shade Tree Mechanic
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howdy all
i have a 1989 corvette that is getting hot according to the guage.it also must have a safty that also shuts the engine down when it gets too hot because the engine shuts off.
the guage will show 296 degrees and it shuts down.
it doesn't seem that hot to touch the valve covers.
it also does not boil over the radiator hoses feel cold to touch.i put a new thermostat in it and a new radiator cap because it's center rivit had come out leaveing a small hole in center of cap.all belts are good and turning.this is stumping me .anyone know whats wrong here??
thank you
jeff korner
southeast indiana
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Jeff,
I don't know much about vetts, but if the hoses are cold it sounds like the coolant is not circulating. Could you have a collapsed hose or bad water pump?
Ed
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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howdy ed
hoses seem fine and the only way i have seen water pumps go bad on other vehicals i have had is that they start leaking externaly. this has really got me puzzled. it's almost like the impeller is broken inside the pump.i'm not sure it's even over heated,the gage says so but the engine seems ok.
jeff
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Tech Advisor ChatMaster - 25,000
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if the hoses are cold it sounds like the coolant is not circulating. Have you looked in the radiator with the engine running to see if the coolant is circulating properly??   
The Mangy Old Mutt
"If It's Not Junk.....It's Not Treasure!"
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I was going to suggest the same thing. Start the car cold, with radiator cap OFF, stick your finger in the water. See how long it takes before it gets really hot.
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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howdy dog
the coolant is not circulateing, new thermistat, hoses are cold, gage says 296 degrees which is 84 degrees over boiling
something should be seeming hot.i think gage is wrong and sencor or something is shuting engine down.these newer cars with this computer junk stinks.
jeff
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The Mangy Old Mutt
"If It's Not Junk.....It's Not Treasure!"
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Based on your description, I would suspect the gauge.  
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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You must have water circulation.....pull the pump..pull the radiator...forget the sensor, it's working...New engines about 7000.00
Old cars have always owned me.
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If it was getting that hot it would puke it out the overflow or the radiator if the cap is off, when you shut the engine off. How long does it take for the gauge to read that, and will it do it at idle or do you have to drive it?
I am not sure if that year uses the same coolant sensor for the computer and gauge but I would want to use a scan tool to see what the computer is seeing. Cold the Intake air temp sensor and coolant temp sensor should read
within a few degrees of each other.
Another check you can do is turn the heater on high and see if it takes longer for the temp to rise.
In all my years in the shop I do not remember ever seeing a small block water pump impeller come lose.
Was any engine work done prior to this problem?
A wire to the sensor that may be going to ground as it heats will cause the gauge to read hot.
Last edited by dens41; 02/23/12 10:29 PM.
Dens Chevys 1927 Speedster 1928 coupe 1941street rod 1947Fleetline 4 door 1949 1/2 ton Pickup (sold) 1954 210 4 door 1972 Monte Carlo 2003 Corvette convt..
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Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
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Their is a specific procedure to change the thermostat/replace coolant in these models.
The front must be jacked up approx one foot off the ground, otherwise the cooling system WILL BE air bound.
I would start with burping the cooling system, and then verify the proper operation of the temperature gauge. If the sensor is in an air pocket - it will not function properly.
296!? What was the oil temperature?
I won't get alarmed until I read that as well.....
Oliver J. Giorgi
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1958 Passenger Car
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Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
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Jeff, Until you actually shoot the engine and radiator with a temp gun you are not going to get much accomplished.Hit the gun on the thermo housing,upper hose at radiator mid radiator then lower hose. Is it at all poss you have the thermo installed upside down?? Also,a temp sensor going bad will send false signal to ECM,which controls the temp guage and safety. Hope this helps,Jim howdy all
i have a 1989 corvette that is getting hot according to the guage.it also must have a safty that also shuts the engine down when it gets too hot because the engine shuts off.
the guage will show 296 degrees and it shuts down.
it doesn't seem that hot to touch the valve covers.
it also does not boil over the radiator hoses feel cold to touch.i put a new thermostat in it and a new radiator cap because it's center rivit had come out leaveing a small hole in center of cap.all belts are good and turning.this is stumping me .anyone know whats wrong here??
thank you
jeff korner
southeast indiana
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