[Shop-talk] '02 Suburban engine cooling

[pethier at comcast.net]

If driving got the temp down, consider the possibility that the radiator fan is not working, or now working well.

Phil Ethier West Side Saint Paul Minnesota USA
1973 Triumph Stag LE22439UBW "uncle jack", Sapphire Blue
2004 Suburban 8.1, Sport Red, the only automatic of the bunch
2005 Lotus Elise, Bordeaux Red Pearl
2007 Saturn Ion 3 2.4, Berry Red
pethier [at] comcast [dot] net
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pethier
http://www.triumphtransamerica.org.uk
http://www.mnautox.com

----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ronnie Day" <ronnie.day at gmail.com>
> To: "Shop Talk List" <shop-talk at autox.team.net>
> Sent: Friday, July 6, 2012 7:45:09 PM
> Subject: [Shop-talk] '02 Suburban engine cooling
> 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
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