Project VS
Overheating issue
Hey guys, i have a VS Vacationer V6 Automatic, its been over heating, it got a new radiator, and when the aircon was on, it would stay nice and cold, but the aircon has stopped working, and now when i idle at lights once the car stops, it rises, and gets hot, until i start driving again, and then it cools back down, so only heats up on idle when warm... sounds like the fans are kicking in, but im just wondering, what are the main causes for this?
VIP Member
This is normal. Airflow is not the best on VS's, and it's normal for VS's to creep up to 3/4's on the Temp gauge when sitting in traffic. The Thermo should kick in around then and cool it down. The reason why the aircon keeps it cooler is because the fan is on which keeps the motor cooler.
Keep a close eye on your radiator fluid level, and your overflow bottle level. Keep them topped up and flush your cooling system every 15-20,000.
Keep them well maintained and they don't break.
Project VS
Oh really?, i thought it should stay low like when the ac is on....ok, ill just sit and watch it
VIP Member
It does. It stays slightly cooler when the AC is on for obvious reasons.
Donating Member
It's normal for many VS temp gauges to register 3/4 when stationary before the fans kick in, whilst normally the gauge may read 1/4 when the car is moving. What you describe sounds pretty normal.
"If anyone disagrees with anything I say, I am quite prepared not only to retract it, but also to deny under oath that I ever said it." --T. Lehrer
"The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made." -- Jean Giraudoux
Yet Another VS Ute Owner
my vs ute does this exact thing.
goes 3/4 to the top when stationary, even when its marginally warm weather.
i start driving and it goes back down again, its so so so annoying.
i have got a new radiator and water pump a few months ago.
got it pressure tested, no leaks.
my mechanic is stumped, we have no idea.
i have to live with filling it up once every week in warm weather and once every 2 weeks in colder weather.
next step is taking the thermostat out for summer, when we bought it was stuck open.
maybe thats the answer?
http://forums.justcommodores.com.au/...first-car.html My VS Ute, 99', S Pac, 5 Speed.
Originally Posted by maldotcom2
on holiday
its normal the fans dont come on till over 100 degrees
I tune the oldschool way fear on the passengers face and knuckle colour cant go wrong
tabbacco is still my favorite vegetable
Ive read on here that a few people have changed temp senders and this has fixed the problem.Apparently holden released a revised temp sender unit for the VS because some senders were showing too high of a reading on the temp gauge. I wouldnt like my temp gauge running up there at 3/4, it doesnt leave much room for error .Id be worried that I wouldnt notice it in time.My VS sits around a quarter,maybe up to half way when idling for a while,never over that though..
Donating Member
When you say that you fill it up every week in warm weather, do you mean the radiator is empty, or down a bit, or do you mean the overflow is empty? If you are concerned about it reaching 3/4, you can fit an over-ride switch and manually turn the fans on when you think it is getting hot.
The coolant must be going somewhere. I've found it easier to check an engine for coolant leaks in the dark with a torch....do this with the engine running but keep clear of the fanbelt!
Have you checked the heater tap and the heater element for leaks....also if it's running a bit rough every now and then it could be an inlet manifold leak.
Removing the thermostat will achieve nothing and possibly make it run hotter - google thermostats and read why you should not remove them.
"If anyone disagrees with anything I say, I am quite prepared not only to retract it, but also to deny under oath that I ever said it." --T. Lehrer
"The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made." -- Jean Giraudoux
Yet Another VS Ute Owner
the overflow tank is almost to the point where it is bone dry, the radiator takes in water but not full capicity.
the car never runs rough, we initially though an inlet manifold gasket but after a visit to the mechanic he said all that was tip top.
it has us stumped...
http://forums.justcommodores.com.au/...first-car.html My VS Ute, 99', S Pac, 5 Speed.
hey guys i have a vr may be different to use but my car has a new radiator and it always goes up to the bar just underhalf way then the fan kicks in ... it may also be the temperature guague may need replacing which is located under the alternator .. alternativeely you could justwire up the fan to run all the time .. thats what im doing just waiting for my switches off ebay
Donating Member
Maybe you could locate some of this stuff:
"Use Dye-Lite TP-3900 to find water/coolant leaks in radiators, water hoses, heaters, water pumps, freeze plugs, gaskets, etc. "
Not sure if it's available in Australia but you add it to the coolant and use a UV lamp to locate the leak.
However, if you are 100% sure that no hoses, heater tap, heater, thermostat housing etc are leaking, that leaves the inlet manifold gasket still as a prime suspect....OR, you could just add some "stop leak" to the system - cannot do any harm.
"If anyone disagrees with anything I say, I am quite prepared not only to retract it, but also to deny under oath that I ever said it." --T. Lehrer
"The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made." -- Jean Giraudoux
New guage sender unit will make the dash guage more 'accurate' in terms of what its showing you. Mine used to get to 3/4 before the fan would kick in at low speed. Replaced the sender and now the fan kicks in at 1/2 way on the dash. Much more assuring!
Drew
try an 81 degree thermostat they open 10 degrees before the original ones
My VR is a pig
Woodgrain Nut
When you replaced the radiator and refilled it with coolant, did you properly bleed the air from the system? Are you positive that the thermo fans are working?
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