I have a 1994 GMC Yukon. Engine is a L31R crate (based on 96+ vortec) that is stock aside from aluminum intake and headers. I live in Canada where it's normal to get -30 c / -22 f.
I'm having a hard time getting it up to operating temperature in the winter. It seems to want to stay around 140-160 degrees. I went on the highway for a couple of hours and the engine was unable to warm the transmission properly so the torque convertor wasn't kicking in. I ended up getting 10.5 mpg on the highway at 2600rpm. I do have 3:73 gears in the rear, but in the summer, it will kick down to about 2100-2200rpm and give me 14-16mpg on the highway. Everything in the cooling system is new and stock with the exception of a ac delco high flow water pump. I hate to run it that cold due to the premature wear that occurs. I know these old vortec based engines like to run in the 190-210 range.
I replaced the thermostat with a expensive oem one today rated at 195 but it seems to have not done much. Is there anything else I can do to help get the temperature up? I'm thinking of buying a grille cover, not sure where a good place is to get one for a 1994. Any suggestions appreciated.
Secondly, on the highway, I noticed a fair amount of cold air coming in from the passenger side when it was on defrost. It stopped when I put it on recirculate. It almost felt like there was cold air coming from inside the glove box when I opened it up. Otherwise everything is working fine. Could it be a faulty blend door?
Any suggestions with these quirks would be much appreciated. Thanks guys!
I'm having a hard time getting it up to operating temperature in the winter. It seems to want to stay around 140-160 degrees. I went on the highway for a couple of hours and the engine was unable to warm the transmission properly so the torque convertor wasn't kicking in. I ended up getting 10.5 mpg on the highway at 2600rpm. I do have 3:73 gears in the rear, but in the summer, it will kick down to about 2100-2200rpm and give me 14-16mpg on the highway. Everything in the cooling system is new and stock with the exception of a ac delco high flow water pump. I hate to run it that cold due to the premature wear that occurs. I know these old vortec based engines like to run in the 190-210 range.
I replaced the thermostat with a expensive oem one today rated at 195 but it seems to have not done much. Is there anything else I can do to help get the temperature up? I'm thinking of buying a grille cover, not sure where a good place is to get one for a 1994. Any suggestions appreciated.
Secondly, on the highway, I noticed a fair amount of cold air coming in from the passenger side when it was on defrost. It stopped when I put it on recirculate. It almost felt like there was cold air coming from inside the glove box when I opened it up. Otherwise everything is working fine. Could it be a faulty blend door?
Any suggestions with these quirks would be much appreciated. Thanks guys!