Overheating

Tiny
TROUBLE1980
  • MEMBER
  • 1985 CHEVROLET CAMARO
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 144,000 MILES
I have a SBC that usually runs around 210/225 oil temperature. I was driving the other day temperature was 222 and shot up past 300 in under a minute. I pulled over shut car off and seen coolant spraying everywhere out of my radiator into my reservoir blowing out of all of the hoses. Also once it cooled down for me to pull the radiator cap my coolant looked like rusty chocolate milk. I have no white smoke coming out of tailpipe and no milky residue in my oil compartment. Replaced water pump a few days before this happened. Please any help or ideas would help.
Sunday, June 25th, 2017 AT 9:33 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Pressure check for leaks like a head gasket or something similar. If it is an external leak it will show up. Most auto parts rent this. There is also a chemical tester that you can add to coolant.
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Sunday, June 25th, 2017 AT 10:19 AM
Tiny
TROUBLE1980
  • MEMBER
  • 49 POSTS
Thank you HMAC300 I will definitely have this done. And will post results once completed.
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Sunday, June 25th, 2017 AT 1:24 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like a classic stuck thermostat. Here is a guide that will give you an idea on what to do to fix the problem.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-thermostat

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken

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Tuesday, June 27th, 2017 AT 3:42 PM
Tiny
TROUBLE1980
  • MEMBER
  • 49 POSTS
Hello HMAC300 & Ken.
I solved the problem, after a radiator and block flush it ended up being a short in my fan it would kick on and then after a few minutes slow down or completely shut off but when in park it would run at medium speed, replace fan relay and rewired now works fine.
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Tuesday, June 27th, 2017 AT 5:22 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
Good to hear, please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, June 27th, 2017 AT 7:20 PM
Tiny
TROUBLE1980
  • MEMBER
  • 49 POSTS
I absolutely will thank you for all your input and knowledge, as I am kinda car illiterate, just know basic troubleshooting
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Tuesday, June 27th, 2017 AT 7:45 PM
Tiny
TROUBLE1980
  • MEMBER
  • 49 POSTS
Actually I do have one more question can I run the Sbc with out the thermostat and straight water for the summer? I have a 160 thermostat and my temp runs 210/225 with it without it it runs 185/195 degree
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Tuesday, June 27th, 2017 AT 9:14 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
210 is the normal reading with a thermostat leave it in so emissions will work right
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Wednesday, June 28th, 2017 AT 6:25 AM
Tiny
TROUBLE1980
  • MEMBER
  • 49 POSTS
OK yea that's what I seen also but didn't know how hot is too hot would 230 be concerning if it got that high?
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Wednesday, June 28th, 2017 AT 6:36 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Well it's coolant and under pressure if working right so if going to 250 /260 is more worry some what you are reading is right by cylinder head anyhow so it's right before it leaves the engine.
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Wednesday, June 28th, 2017 AT 6:49 AM

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