96 Ce Lt-1 .....need Help Asap!!!!

[MakoDRVR]

I had a water pump failure last night in my 96 CE. It is and LT-1 with the auto. trans. We replaced the water pump, both hoses, thermostat, and new coolant. Now the analog gage is spiked at 260 degrees, the digital is up around 205-210 degrees, and it looks like there is no circulation in the system. This car has 46K miles and has had no issues at all. I am at a loss here. I need help ASAP. I need to get this fixed. Any members out there got some ideas.

Thanks,
Chip

 

[Bill75]

Chip,

I can't tell you a good way to get it out but it sounds like you might have an air pocket in the cooling system somewhere preventing the coolant from flowing like it should. Adding coolant under slight pressure somehow might force the coolant thru to break the pocket. Just a thought.

 

[c4cruiser]

When you added the coolant, did you open the bleed valves? There should be one on the thermostat housing and another on the driver's side of the TB. As coolant is added thru the expansion tank into an empty radiator, the valves should be open until a steady stream flows from them. Then close the valves and finish filling.

Start the engine and let it warm up to where the thermostat opens. As the water level drops in the tank, add more coolant. Run the motor at about 1200RPM or so and keep the level in the tank just below the riim. Replace the cap and continue to watch the temp. If the digital temp climbs above 240, shut the motor down and let it cool before opening the cap and adding more coolant.

 

[BlackNBlue95]

I had a water pump failure last night in my 96 CE. It is and LT-1 with the auto. trans. We replaced the water pump, both hoses, thermostat, and new coolant. Now the analog gage is spiked at 260 degrees, the digital is up around 205-210 degrees, and it looks like there is no circulation in the system. This car has 46K miles and has had no issues at all. I am at a loss here. I need help ASAP. I need to get this fixed. Any members out there got some ideas.

Thanks,
Chip

Double check your connections to the temp sensor on the pump, also double check that the coupled between the water pump and water pump drive is still between the 2 and not stuck on the old pump or something. I suppose that is possible.. or could be possible..
-=Rick

 

[redc4corvette]

Blue 95 I think you might have hit it.
I replaced my water pump and forgot to install the gear that goes on the cam to water pump it's small and easy to lose,I know mechanics that have done that also.

 

[jmccloud]

Coolant Air bleed

On my '95 there is only one air bleed; it's on the thermostat housing. Earlier models had two bleeders. The system won't circulate well unless the air is let out.
Search for this subject to find the detailled fill procedure (put a towel under the bleeder and leave it open as coolant is added, run the engine to get a little more out). Also, it requires 2-5 complete heat-up/cool down cycles ('room temp' to hot or <260 and back to 'room temp' = let it sit over night) to remove all of the air even after bleeding all you can out the valve. During these final purge cycles the temperature will fluctuate and be higher than normal (perhaps 240+) but don't try to operate at 260F. The service manual also recommends against "aggressive maneuvers" until the operating temp stabilizes to 'normal' or 190-230 F and suggests that 3 or so cycles are needed to complete the purge.

But do make sure the coupling is correctly installed.

Good luck