[Shop-talk] '02 Suburban engine cooling

[Ronnie Day]

The first of last month we bought an '02 Suburban. A very nice one owner
with116K on it. It has the late model (LS style) 5.3 in it, towing package
and 3.73 gears. Last weekend we were in NE Texas, near Marshall, and I sat
in a Sam's parking lot for over an hour while my wife and her sisters
shopped for the reunion we were hosting. It was right at noon and the air
temp was pushing 100.

Water Temp on this things normally sits just below mid point (marked 210 on
the OE gauge, which I think is fairly accurate). I was reading and not
paying much attention until the air from the AC began to warm up. The temp
gauge was then at the 3/4 mark. I moved to a clear area of the parking lot
where I could drive at fairly low speed and not worry about other vehicles
or shoppers. After just a few minutes of driving the temp returned to its
regular spot and the AC regained its efficiency. I never saw any lose of
coolant or any sign(s) of overheating.

The primary purpose for buying the vehicle is travel, usually with a bunch
of folks and our stuff, while possibly towing either a car or travel
trailer. Should I consider looking for a heavier duty radiator for this
thing, or maybe a high volume/dual electric fan setup, or both, and chunk
the engine driven fan? I might even pick up a few tenths in mileage. BTW,
we got just under 18 mpg going up there from home, on Hwy 79. Good
secondary road with just a few small and medium towns.

Thoughts/suggestions appreciated,
Ron