New problem with car at auto-x yesterday...help, please.

[LilRedCorvette]

Well, I know for sure that I need the stainless steel brake lines and Super Blue...got that lined up...but now I have a new issue. Car ran AWFULLY hot at auto-x...like dangerously close to 260. I didn't let it idle between runs and put the hood up to cool it. What should I do? Have a switch installed to turn on the auxiliary fan sooner? Add a higher temp engine coolant? Other mods? What have you expert auto-xers done?

Suggestions are welcomed and encouraged.

[Black396]

First thing to do is check out the bottom breather. C4s suck up stuff from the road and it gets lodged between the A/C condenser and the radiator. This trash deterioates over time and fills the fins in the radiator.

After making sure that is all clean, I would move on to the coolant itself. How old is your car and what does your coolant look like? If it cloudy it is probably due for a flush and filled with new coolant. Is it topped off and plenty of coolant in the overflow reservoir?

Are you running DexCool? (orange or green) A number of people have complained about the coolant systems becoming clogged after mixing DexCool with regular antifreeze.

Basically, yesterday wasn't that hot and I would think that it should have been fine if everything was working good. Only after ensuring that everything stock was fine would I move on to make any changes.

[LilRedCorvette]

Thanks, Mike. I will check to see if anything is clogged and also check the coolant itself. Being a 1994 and the second owner, I have lately been going through and finding things that need some TLC. I have a feeling the coolant, along with the brake fluid, will need to be flushed out and refilled with better stuff than was in it.

I will start with that and see how it is at the next event. Only seems to be a problem at the track. If it still isn't cool enough I guess I will need to consider some mods...

[urtoslo]

Yeah, what Mike said. I'll bet you have a lot of debris between the AC condensor and radiator.

How does that thing do in traffic? You were not going that fast on the track to get your temps up that high. Another trick I use is to not turn the car off at all, but run the AC between runs. That will kick on the fans and with the hood open, allow the car to cool off much more. But at 260, your fans should have been cranking without the AC!

I've been meaning to get my CPU recalibrated to kick in the fans at 200 degrees, instead of 228.

[LilRedCorvette]

Yeah, what Mike said. I'll bet you have a lot of debris between the AC condensor and radiator.

How does that thing do in traffic? You were not going that fast on the track to get your temps up that high. Another trick I use is to not turn the car off at all, but run the AC between runs. That will kick on the fans and with the hood open, allow the car to cool off much more. But at 260, your fans should have been cranking without the AC!

I've been meaning to get my CPU recalibrated to kick in the fans at 200 degrees, instead of 228.

It does fine in traffic...just problematic when on the track. I'll run the A/C between runs with the hood up and see if that cools things down faster.

Hmmm...might ask Joe about the CPU recalibration thing as well while I'm at Koon's Wednesday. Thanks for the ideas!

[janderson]

I'll wager there is stuff between the condenser and the radiator.

Also while you have that looked at pull the radiator out of the car and have them clean between the fins and straighten them.

Replace the thermostat and flush all the old coolant out and fill with fresh. Add a container of water wetter. If iyou can re-program your fans that will help as well.

[LilRedCorvette]

Dear Lord....I think I'm just gonna print this post out and bring it to Joe Wednesday! Too much to remember...[:p]

[Woods977]

I use Redline Water Wetter and have about a 10 degree reduction in temps. Its about 10 to 12 dollars for the bottle.

[LilRedCorvette]

Thanks to everyone for the input and help. I will consider all of the above recommendations and let you know how it all goes...

[LilRedCorvette]

Okey dokey...an update:

Nothing clogged. However, water pump needs replacing when I get back as well as a flush and fill of new coolant. Also throwing in a bottle of Redline Water Wetter and a new serpentine belt. Mid America, Zip, Ecklers, et al are gonna love me....

Brake lines on their way, gonna also get some perf friction pads and SuperBlue. Needless to say I will be keeping Joe very busy when I return! [:D]

Now that should get me squared away for the next auto-x...

[Black396]

Nothing clogged. However, water pump needs replacing when I get back as well as a flush and fill of new coolant....


I hope that old one didn't leak on the opti spark [:((]

[Akcelr8]

You are now officially a racer. All racers do (at least) two things... drive fast and pay for it! Welcome to the club!! [:D]