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1990 Other Chevrolet Models rebuilding heads

Tiny
JAM1521
  • MEMBER
  • 1990 CHEVROLET
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 79,000 MILES
Hi, I have a 1990 airstream rv with chevy 454 p30. We had some problems with temp gauge rising about 2/3 way. Never pegged out on overheating. Temp would just rise and then go back to normal while driving. Took it for repairs, drove the mh there. When we picked up the MH we were charged over 2,000 to rebuild heads. I have been told that since the temp gauge went up and down, it was probably not the heads. The engine runs good, no smoking or water in oil. Does it sound to you like the heads needed to be rebuilt. Even after rebuilding the temp gauge still rises and then goes back to normal. PLEASE HELP
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Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 AT 6:51 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,942 POSTS
Hi, the problem is the connection at the temp sender, if it is loose it will casue the temp gauge to rise and fall. Please check it and get back to me.
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Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 AT 7:27 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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What kind of tests did they perform to come into conclusion it was the heads- A block and pressure tests will indicate this

Rebuild heads for suspected as overheating problem. I find this hard to believe for both at the same time-maybe one of them. Who knows could be only a blown headgasket

It sounds more like thermostat and coolant temperature sensor acting up.
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Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 AT 7:31 PM
Tiny
JAM1521
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They never gave us any diagnosis. They just rebuilt the heads. Can you tell me what you think about the engine not smoking and the rv driving fine. Does that sound like bad heads
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Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 AT 7:36 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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If the heads/gaskets were leaking-coolant will make its way to the combustion chamber burning along with gas and creating mixfire. Also if its the heads it will overheat quicker then you can blink an eye. Oil in coolant, coolant in oil and white smoke out of the exhaust big time.
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Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 AT 7:44 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Does it over heat?
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Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 AT 7:44 PM
Tiny
JAM1521
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  • 4 POSTS
The temp gauge still rises about 2/3 way, never pegs out. Just like it did before they rebuilt the heads, sometimes it will go back down to normal on its own, sometimes we have to pull over for no more than 10 or 15 minutes and the temp has gone down. Then again we can drive it sometimes up to 200 or 300 miles and the temp gauge never rises.
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Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 AT 7:50 PM
Tiny
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Temp would just rise and then go back to normal while driving

While on the move do ever pulled over and check for boiled over or for leakage from the radiator/hoses for curiosity
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Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 AT 7:52 PM
Tiny
JAM1521
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When we have had to pull over, we always checked the radiator and the overflow, and there is always water in both and we do not need to add any
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Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 AT 7:55 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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I don't think you can go 200/300 miles with a head problem.-Maybe if we dream it
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Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 AT 7:56 PM

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