Stock Engine- 95 GSR, Koyo Radiator, AEM Short Ram, Oil Cooler, stock header, 160k miles (never rebuilt)

Last track event, my water temp was running a bit higher than normal. Usually it is PEGGED at 190 F (hot or cold day), but this weekend it has creeped up to 210 (on a cold day).

Popped the hood, and there was a little bit o coolant that spit out of the overflow. Definitely running a bit hotter. BTW, I am only running water and water wetter in my Koyo race radiator...

A couple of bubbles were coming out the reservoir feed tube from the radiator (usually means head gasket right?) -BUT-

1) The compression test seemed like there wasn't a coolant leak. (~225, 230, 235, 230 if I remember correctly)

2) I drove it all the way home (4 hour drive) with no temp shift (still at 190), runs perfect.

3) The car only heats to 210 when at a stand still

4) Yes, the fan works.

5) There doesn't seem to be any traces of oil in the coolant (although I have not drained it)

6) The Spark Plugs are a tad bit white (lean?)

7) No noticeable loss of power, no white smoke


Anythoughts where i should start to diagnose? I am assuming a leakdown would be a good idea, BUT, if it ISN't a head gasket, then what do you think it can be?

BTW- I ran this same exact setup at several track events prior, and had no problems...I didn't add any new parts.

Thanks in advance!

 

water pump?!

 

maybe run actual coolant. even with water wet the boiling point of the water is still kinda low. i would try the dex-tra coolant and water. see if that helps. also check your thermostat. might be sticking.

 

i highly recommend running coolant. you need a proper 50/50 mix of coolant and water to achieve maximum boiling point.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by YoungOne &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i highly recommend running coolant. you need a proper 50/50 mix of coolant and water to achieve maximum boiling point.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks for the reply!

I would normally do that, although this is mainly a drive-to-the-track-and-back only car... I have run water only for 8+ track events on this setup and I never saw any major fluctuations before.

We have decided to rebuild the motor, so we will yank it out and find out whats going on... after some consideration my thought is water pump/thermos. (160k miles! I know, I know....)

When we find out for sure, I will ressurect this thread...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ACRDC2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Thanks for the reply!

I would normally do that, although this is mainly a drive-to-the-track-and-back only car... I have run water only for 8+ track events on this setup and I never saw any major fluctuations before.

We have decided to rebuild the motor, so we will yank it out and find out whats going on... after some consideration my thought is water pump/thermos. (160k miles! I know, I know....)

When we find out for sure, I will ressurect this thread...</TD></TR></TABLE>

water cools way better then antifreze, only thing antifrezze is good for is winter. ive used the water wetter before and it does ok. ide check your thermo and also check the radiator cap. when my cap busted it would boilover to the overflow alot.

i dont think its your headgasket you would know if it was

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by oMekoneDC2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

water cools way better then antifreze, only thing antifrezze is good for is winter..
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Misinformation. Don't run water for 2 reasons.
1. Water does not lubricate the way coolant does.
2. Water contains minerals that build up in your system that clog it all up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 8400RPMS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Misinformation. Don't run water for 2 reasons.
1. Water does not lubricate the way coolant does.
2. Water contains minerals that build up in your system that clog it all up.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

thats what the water wetter is for it stops corosin.

i ran a water cooling setup on my computer for years

reg water = cooled the best, but coroded quick
water and reg antifrezze = not as good as reg water, but coroded less
dex cool and water = didnt corode and cooled about like reg antifrezze
reg water and water wetter = cooled great and didnt corode

reamber this is on a computer, with a heatercore as a radiator a fan on the radiator, a water pump and a heablock to remove the heat off the cpu

the water temo in the pc was always about 130-150F so its not far off from the water temp in a car


i never said it lubricates or wont corode. but its true it cools better then a 50/50 mix. water is also thiner than antifrezze and will flow better on its own

 

Makes sense.
I just want to avoid having people putting tap water in there. heh.
its okay if your overheating and your miles from a garage but on a regular basis
its a bad idea.

 

o ya i forgot. i always used distilled water in my pc. it has way way less minnerals