QuestionQUESTION: I have a '91 Camaro RS V6 3.1L w/ auto trans. I am trying to figure out the reason its overheating. New radiator and thermostat, still overheating. I checked a manual specific to my car and only other thing I could find as a reason is the timing is off. Could this be the case?
I am pretty new to the repair scene but want to learn to do it myself. I tried to check if timing was off, which I believe it is, but I'm not sure. Emission specs say it should be 10 degrees DR. Can you help with setting the timing? How can I tell if that setting is correct?
Any help provided will be appreciated.
ANSWER: Hey,
Lets try and figure out why and when its overheating first.
Does the vehicle overheat when it is sitting idling or do you have to drive it under load?
Wayne
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QUESTION: It overheats after I have been driving and have to come to a stop. Just sitting in the driveway idle doesnt overheat. I should say its hasnt overheated but the longest I have just let it sit idle is maybe 15-20 min. As long as the car is moving constantly the temp will stay relatively low.
AnswerHey,
Your problem is that your cooling system is unable to radiate heat properly when there is a demand from the engine. When you are driving around airflow from the road is removing heat sufficiently from the radiator. When you are coming to a stop that airflow is gone but the stored heat in the engine still needs to try and escape. When the thermostat is opening and letting coolant flow to the radiator it sounds like your cooling fan is not functioning properly. Have you checked to see if this fan is running?
Wayne
