Hot weather and cooling

[00 DUCK]

I have a 2000 GMC Jimmy, 2WD, 2DR, 4.3L V6 with 46,000 miles on it. Its totally stock. I also just bought it a month ago so I'm not familiar with all of its ticks and tocks yet.

Currently the weather has been consistently in the high 90s and the last five days have been in the low 100s. I noticed that my temp guage has been reading consistently around 210 and a hair higher. I drive it around 30 miles or so daily with most of it being above 45 MPH. I would say that it is a good mix of city and hiway driving.

Do I need to change out the thermostat? Is this a safe or normal temp for my situation? If I need to change it out, should I go with a lower temp thermostat? Any ideas?

I'm changing the oil, the oil filter and drive belt on Sunday. I might as well do what I can while I'm under the hood.

 

[jason07-1zzfe]

I would flush the coolant (read about all Dexcool problems on here)

Then also add Red Line WW. I had sucess reducing temps 8-10F in that same vehicle and same situations.

 

[00 DUCK]

Being that you had the same vehicle what do you think about the oil pressure listed below? Is that normal?

I noticed that my oil gage is showing the following:
Idle = 30-35
Up to 50MPH = 55-60
Above 50 MPH = 60

Thanks for the tips! I appreciate it. Any other information you deem necessary about the Jimmy to pass on, just e-mail me or post it.

 

[Schmoe]

I've noticed on my 4.3 '93 GMC truck, that temperature stays around 200 to 210. If you have the fuel injected version remember: fuel injection engine temperatures will run a little higher as it makes the injectors function better. I wouldn't worry about it, plus, I think it's been a lot hotter up there than 100's. Engine will run hotter in these devilish temperatures.
Oil pressure for that engine is about right on target. You want it to go up with increase in rpm's.
Oh yeah,

to the site. Be prepared to learn (or be feared to death)more about oil than you had previously thought.

[ August 21, 2003, 03:10 PM: Message edited by: Schmoe ]

 

[sbc350gearhead]

That is the same oil pressure I have on my 98 GMC sierra with the 5.7. (4.3 with 2 more cylinders)

 

[00 DUCK]

Thanks for all the help guys. I've been lurking for several weeks now so I'm starting to figure this place out a little bit.

After seeing some of the stuff about the Dexcool, I'm a bit paranoid. that will be the first thing I check before I leave work tonight. SCARY.

 

[mrchecker]

Your gauge reading sound normal. There's nothing wrong with running at 210 all the time in a modern vehicle.

 

[jason07-1zzfe]

Yeah those pressures are about the same.

Sure nothing serious will happen by running 210, but the stat is 195 and I prefer to keep the temp there all the time. The cooling system is obviously being stressed if it can't maintain stat temp. The oil will obviously be running hotter because of that as well, thinning it out and reducing it's life somewhat.

 

[00 DUCK]

quote:

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Originally posted by Jason Troxell:
The oil will obviously be running hotter because of that as well, thinning it out and reducing it's life somewhat.

---

Good Point, I may go ahead and flush and re-fill being that I don't know when it was last done. I just looked at the fluid and it is a little cloudy. It's still orangy colored but somewhat cloudy. There was crystalization around the radiator cap when I checked it.

 

[Drew99GT]

Most cars, especially GMs, will run hotter than the thermostat opening temperature (195 F) because the fans don't come on till 215-230 F. Quite normal to be at 210 F in heat, especially with A/C on.

 

[Flashlightboy]

I'd leave the stat in but I'd flush the system only 'cuz it might never have been done.

Choose your elixir carefully (DexCool anyone?) although I'm not a big proponent of 50/50 mixes. Instead, I'd suggest 60/40 water/AF along with a bottle of RL WW. Of course you can scrap my recipe if your temps are greater than 7 degrees below zero.

I personally use DexCool but you've got to keep it topped off and make sure your system doesn't leak.

[ August 21, 2003, 11:20 PM: Message edited by: Flashlightboy ]

 

[00 DUCK]

No leaks here and I check the fluids weekly so no worries there. The temps do get down to 30 below windchill in the winter time here but that isn't always the case.

I've also never had any problems with a 50/50 mix but I've never used Dex-cool either.

Would my computer freak out if I dropped in a 180 stat or should I just keep it the way it is?

 

[Chris142]

Keep with the 195 stat. The puter may run richer at a lower operating temp.

The stat begins to open between 190 and 200 degrees and is fully open at 215-220 deg.

Theres nuthing wrong with running 210-220, infact you will get less engine wear.

The stock GM rad caps are junk, get a new aftermarket cap while your messin with the cooling system.

 

[00 DUCK]

Well, I changed the oil this weekend. I discovered a fram oil filter underneath that was torqued on like it was welded. The rubber grip surface was all crispy crunchy and falling off. I replaced it with a K&N oil filter and changed out the Quaker State for M1 10w30 Drive Clean.

The oil pressure dropped to around 55 at highway speeds from 60. The pressure does not flow below 40 now either. I did notice that before I changed it, the pressure was inconsistent at idle and low speeds. Now, the pressure is more consistent at idle and highway speeds.

I was told that the oil/filter was changed the week before I bought it and I put around 1200 miles on it in the last month. I think I was lied to about the last servicing. The oil just seemed too dirty for only being under 1500 miles.

I am also scheduled for a flush and fill next week. I purchased a new rad cap, but I haven't put it on yet.