weird temp issue today. help me out. - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

superdrummer38 · 12-21-2013, 06:08 PM

SHORT STORY:
Temp gauge and coolant temp were dancing for me.
up and down temp gauge. 60%-75%-25%-75%-25%-100% (overheated)
coolant temp 220 up to 250 back down to 200.

:n oidea:

:noi dea:

:noide a:

FULL STORY:
So today after a little running around, not far, i noticed the "a/c off due to high engine temperature" msg. the temp gauge was sitting just under 75% so i brought up the coolant temperature info which read 221* and raising.
i shut the car off for a second and restarted and drove a little. the temp gauge dropped rapidly to 25% with a few seconds. as i drove off the gauge started climbing again, back to 75%, coolant hit 240* so i pulled over and popped the hood. nothing seemed to be wrong. didn't notice any signs of issue and everything look and felt normal. fans were running correctly as well.
so i closed and started up again and took off. temp gauge dropped rapidly again as well as coolant temp.
then i stopped at a light and the temp started rising slow. once i took off it started raising High. temp gauge maxed out, coolant temp hit 250*+. As i pulled into the lot the OVERHEATING msg appear so i came to a stop, then it just started dropping rapid again. i coasted through the lot pulled out the back and whaled on the gas to see if it was really hot and the gauge and coolant both kept lowering.

whats the deal here?
THANKS EVERYONE!!!!

TheHorse13 · 12-22-2013, 06:08 AM

It sounds like the thermostat is sticking. It's amazing what a 6 dollar part can do. I would start there as it's the cheapest/easiest thing to replace. I'm assuming that you have no coolant leaks and the car is at the proper coolant level.

ChrisBlair · 12-22-2013, 06:22 AM

I agree with the Horse

As a point of interest a 15psi cooling system gives you a boil-over temperature of 247*F

68blk/yel396 · 12-22-2013, 06:49 AM

The engine coolant sensor could also be going bad. I have gone through of few of these on a couple of 5th gens that I own/owned. Very accessible and inexpensive part to change out. Actually much easier than the thermostat. Good Luck...........

superdrummer38 · 12-22-2013, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheHorse13

It sounds like the thermostat is sticking. It's amazing what a 6 dollar part can do. I would start there as it's the cheapest/easiest thing to replace. I'm assuming that you have no coolant leaks and the car is at the proper coolant level.

Ok. That's where I'll start. Should a go ahead and upgrade to the 160 thermostat?
As far as leaks and levers. I noticed no leaks. I'll need to check the lever today.
Yesterday a few hours later I drove again and had 0 issue.

hunter1660 · 12-22-2013, 11:57 AM

It's an aluminum engine...don't run it hot

TheHorse13 · 12-22-2013, 05:43 PM

Personally, I would put back the same thermostat that came from the factory.

Another poster also mentioned the temp sensor. That's a good place to check as well as the thermostat.

Avenging Orange · 12-22-2013, 06:52 PM

I know this may sound silly..........but have you checked the coolant level in the reservoir?

ChrisBlair · 12-23-2013, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superdrummer38

Ok. That's where I'll start. Should a go ahead and upgrade to the 160 thermostat?
As far as leaks and levers. I noticed no leaks. I'll need to check the lever today.
Yesterday a few hours later I drove again and had 0 issue.

The t-stat has to be the least understood and most basic thing in an IC, water-cooled engine

If you ever think about changing the rated temp of a t-stat, ask yourself "why am I changing that. What is my good reason for doing it"?

eymang · 12-23-2013, 06:42 PM

The gauges dancing sounds more electrical leading to the sensor. Also check sensor connection.

Rock-It Man · 12-23-2013, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avenging Orange

I know this may sound silly..........but have you checked the coolant level in the reservoir?

The only time something like this happened to me (not in a Camaro) it was simply low coolant level.

CFD · 12-23-2013, 08:15 PM

I would, as mentioned, start by checking the coolant level both in the reservoir AND in the radiator(when cool) If the coolant level is low enough the thermostat will not open and close properly regardless of engine temperature.which could cause the reservoir level and radiator level not to be consistent to each other.

Chevrolet Customer Svc · 12-24-2013, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superdrummer38

SHORT STORY:
Temp gauge and coolant temp were dancing for me.
up and down temp gauge. 60%-75%-25%-75%-25%-100% (overheated)
coolant temp 220 up to 250 back down to 200.

FULL STORY:
So today after a little running around, not far, i noticed the "a/c off due to high engine temperature" msg. the temp gauge was sitting just under 75% so i brought up the coolant temperature info which read 221* and raising.
i shut the car off for a second and restarted and drove a little. the temp gauge dropped rapidly to 25% with a few seconds. as i drove off the gauge started climbing again, back to 75%, coolant hit 240* so i pulled over and popped the hood. nothing seemed to be wrong. didn't notice any signs of issue and everything look and felt normal. fans were running correctly as well. so i closed and started up again and took off. temp gauge dropped rapidly again as well as coolant temp. then i stopped at a light and the temp started rising slow. once i took off it started raising High. temp gauge maxed out, coolant temp hit 250*+. As i pulled into the lot the OVERHEATING msg appear so i came to a stop, then it just started dropping rapid again. i coasted through the lot pulled out the back and whaled on the gas to see if it was really hot and the gauge and coolant both kept lowering.

whats the deal here?
THANKS EVERYONE!!!!

superdrummer,

Sorry to hear about the temperature concerns with your Camaro and I understand any frustration this causes. While I understand you're seeking opinions, feel free to message me privately (if you feel an official GM diagnosis is needed) and I'll reach out to a customer care specialist. They help resolve customer issues at the dealer level.

Kind regards,

William R.
Chevrolet Customer Care

superdrummer38 · 12-26-2013, 06:16 PM

Thanks everyone for the help and advice. I believe I have discovered the problem....empty coolant reservoir. Now why would that be empty you ask? The large crack at the base of the tank. Don't ask me why or how that happened. No idea.
Discovered this as I went to refill coolant before driving to Houston. Glad I checked.

12-21-2013, 06:08 PM	#1
superdrummer38 Drives: Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Dallas,TX Posts: 323 View My Garage	weird temp issue today. help me out. SHORT STORY: Temp gauge and coolant temp were dancing for me. up and down temp gauge. 60%-75%-25%-75%-25%-100% (overheated) coolant temp 220 up to 250 back down to 200. :n oidea::noi dea::noide a: FULL STORY: So today after a little running around, not far, i noticed the "a/c off due to high engine temperature" msg. the temp gauge was sitting just under 75% so i brought up the coolant temperature info which read 221* and raising. i shut the car off for a second and restarted and drove a little. the temp gauge dropped rapidly to 25% with a few seconds. as i drove off the gauge started climbing again, back to 75%, coolant hit 240* so i pulled over and popped the hood. nothing seemed to be wrong. didn't notice any signs of issue and everything look and felt normal. fans were running correctly as well. so i closed and started up again and took off. temp gauge dropped rapidly again as well as coolant temp. then i stopped at a light and the temp started rising slow. once i took off it started raising High. temp gauge maxed out, coolant temp hit 250*+. As i pulled into the lot the OVERHEATING msg appear so i came to a stop, then it just started dropping rapid again. i coasted through the lot pulled out the back and whaled on the gas to see if it was really hot and the gauge and coolant both kept lowering. whats the deal here? THANKS EVERYONE!!!!

12-22-2013, 06:22 AM	#3
ChrisBlair Buick 455 Fan Drives: 1970 Buick, 2012 1SS LS3 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Boston MA Posts: 5,957	I agree with the Horse As a point of interest a 15psi cooling system gives you a boil-over temperature of 247*F __________________

12-22-2013, 06:49 AM	#4
68blk/yel396 Drives: 2011 RJT 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 408	The engine coolant sensor could also be going bad. I have gone through of few of these on a couple of 5th gens that I own/owned. Very accessible and inexpensive part to change out. Actually much easier than the thermostat. Good Luck........... __________________

12-22-2013, 11:57 AM	#6
hunter1660 Drives: 2011ss/rs camaro Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: florida Posts: 1,261	It's an aluminum engine...don't run it hot __________________ . OBX LTH,Rotofab,Magnuson Heartbeat.AEM wideband, HP Tuners

12-22-2013, 06:52 PM	#8
Avenging Orange Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clermont, IN Posts: 3,297	I know this may sound silly..........but have you checked the coolant level in the reservoir? __________________ 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS M6 Black Leather, Sun Roof, OBX Headers, Borla touring axle back, Cold Air Inductions CAI , non synthetic fluids, BMR total bushing upgrade/1" lowering springs, DSE 32mm rear sway bar. GM fe4 shocks/struts/LCA's, AAM 3.91 diff, Vertini RFS1.8 20x9 +30. Conti ExtremeContact Sport 275/35/20. sjm autoprod ABL dash kit. Mike Norris tuned 413/419. Avenging Orange: 43 years of not buying into the Hype........and damn proud of it!! https://youtu.be/9JD9it6SmB8 https://youtu.be/xmelTlEzI34 KICKING CANCERS ASS SINCE 2015!!

12-22-2013, 06:08 AM	#2
TheHorse13 Drives: 2011 Black SS M6 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Harpers Ferry, WV Posts: 1,116	It sounds like the thermostat is sticking. It's amazing what a 6 dollar part can do. I would start there as it's the cheapest/easiest thing to replace. I'm assuming that you have no coolant leaks and the car is at the proper coolant level.

12-22-2013, 05:43 PM	#7
TheHorse13 Drives: 2011 Black SS M6 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Harpers Ferry, WV Posts: 1,116	Personally, I would put back the same thermostat that came from the factory. Another poster also mentioned the temp sensor. That's a good place to check as well as the thermostat.

12-23-2013, 06:42 PM	#10
eymang Drives: 2011 2SS/RS & 1991 Vert Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 397 View My Garage	The gauges dancing sounds more electrical leading to the sensor. Also check sensor connection.

12-23-2013, 08:15 PM	#12
CFD Drives: 2SS/RS L99 BLACK Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Franklin , MA Posts: 6,696	I would, as mentioned, start by checking the coolant level both in the reservoir AND in the radiator(when cool) If the coolant level is low enough the thermostat will not open and close properly regardless of engine temperature.which could cause the reservoir level and radiator level not to be consistent to each other.

12-26-2013, 06:16 PM	#14
superdrummer38 Drives: Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Dallas,TX Posts: 323 View My Garage	Thanks everyone for the help and advice. I believe I have discovered the problem....empty coolant reservoir. Now why would that be empty you ask? The large crack at the base of the tank. Don't ask me why or how that happened. No idea. Discovered this as I went to refill coolant before driving to Houston. Glad I checked.