Matt_G
Newbie
Without question the radiator is more than I need right now, but is my 195*F tstat too high for it?
1998 C1500 5.0L Vtech
Radiator was 29x18x1", upgraded to 34x18x2" 3 core with trans cooler unused and plugged.
Clutch fan was ditched for electric fans that rarely ever need to run at idle.
As the cooler weather starts to set in, I'm running into issues with the radiator becoming over-pressurized and blowing by the radiator cap (like it's supposed to when over-pressurized). Engine temps are ~180*F and steady at operating temp per dash and ECM readings.
Water pump, Tstat, radiator cap, dash Tmon and ECM Tmon was replaced when I put in the radiator two months ago. System is full of fluid but has been draining the reservoir tank since the weather has turned cooler in the 30-40's at about a rate of 1 tank per month, driven daily to work.
I'm thinking the Tstat doesn't reach temp because the residual flow from the radiator (and Tstat pinhole) keeps cooling it too much, or when it does open it introduces a lot of much cooler radiator flow and the Tstat doesn't recover/warm up soon enough before the internal loop surpasses temp? The radiator return hose headed to the block is only warm enough to not want to keep your hand on it for long.
All of that out of the way, my question is..
Would the system benefit from a lower temp Tstat or would that risk shocking the system more regularly? At some point, I'm concerned about dramatic temp change on the block, or continuous temp differences across the block causing warp if I did get a lower temp Tstat. I don't know a great deal about how those concerns are factored in to know if they are an issue or not, but it has crossed my mind.
Thanks.
1998 C1500 5.0L Vtech
Radiator was 29x18x1", upgraded to 34x18x2" 3 core with trans cooler unused and plugged.
Clutch fan was ditched for electric fans that rarely ever need to run at idle.
As the cooler weather starts to set in, I'm running into issues with the radiator becoming over-pressurized and blowing by the radiator cap (like it's supposed to when over-pressurized). Engine temps are ~180*F and steady at operating temp per dash and ECM readings.
Water pump, Tstat, radiator cap, dash Tmon and ECM Tmon was replaced when I put in the radiator two months ago. System is full of fluid but has been draining the reservoir tank since the weather has turned cooler in the 30-40's at about a rate of 1 tank per month, driven daily to work.
I'm thinking the Tstat doesn't reach temp because the residual flow from the radiator (and Tstat pinhole) keeps cooling it too much, or when it does open it introduces a lot of much cooler radiator flow and the Tstat doesn't recover/warm up soon enough before the internal loop surpasses temp? The radiator return hose headed to the block is only warm enough to not want to keep your hand on it for long.
All of that out of the way, my question is..
Would the system benefit from a lower temp Tstat or would that risk shocking the system more regularly? At some point, I'm concerned about dramatic temp change on the block, or continuous temp differences across the block causing warp if I did get a lower temp Tstat. I don't know a great deal about how those concerns are factored in to know if they are an issue or not, but it has crossed my mind.
Thanks.
Last edited: