Hey guys, it was about 75-78 today here in the good county of Dallas, Texas. About the warmest it has been in the last Month that I have had my Monte. I noticed that he temperature gauge was read its temp at 200-215 degrees section. I have had this 2000 Monte for about a month, and the radiator was replaced a month before I got it along with the thermostat, so both 2 months old. I am concerned about the summer when it will be average on daily 105-112ish, guaranteed 100+ every day. When I am idling or driving at a lower speed the gauge reads up to about 213 and then it starts to go down again to about 200 degrees - this is the first time I noticed this today. When I am driving about 40+ it stays a good temp of 185-200. I know that the front grill isn't very large so it limits the intake thus making the car run a bit warmer, but is this normal to run this warm? My previous vehicle was a 97 chevy silverado, large freaking grill in front so got a lot of air and never really went over 190-200 in summer - So not sure if this is normal for Montes or even a Sedan. I was considering doing the following things to try and remedy it:

1. Oil Change - In case burnt out or low oil not giving the engine enough love
2. Change thermostat to 185 (not sure what it is at now since I didn't change it 2 months ago)
3. Radiator hose and fluid replacement

Would those solve the problem or is cooling general problem with the Montes?

Ooh, and I was also considering getting a new hood with a scoop in the front to bring in some more air directly onto the engine.

Opinions?
All of your help is greatly appreciated!
Cody

 

You can put a 180 thermostat in the car, but to really benefit you are going to need to get the PCM tuned so the fans turn on before 212

I would think there is an actual problem with the cooling system right now. You said the radiator was replaced, but there could still be some dexcool sludge stuck in the lines, or the heater core, there could even just be air in the system still.

My recommendation is to get it into a shop and have them hook it up to a machine and do a full flush.

(Side Note)

What kind of intake is on the car right now, is it stock

 

X2 I'm with Mike (Chibi)

 

What do I need to to get it tuned and what would be a good temp to have it turn on at? Yeah it has the stock air intake on it - I haven't done any modding to it. When I had it in the shop to get the sunroof fixed my mechanic said that the heater core hoses and the upper radiator hose would need to be replaced soon. Just 75$ for all 3 hoses and didn't quite have that at the time.

 

You need OBD2 tuning software to get it tuned, or to find a shop that tunes 3800 engines specifically.

If you did get it tuned, they would know what to set it at. It's usually around 185-190 for a 180 thermo, and they would set the car to keep the fans on another 2 minutes after you key off.

I was just making sure you had the stock intake instead of a short ram cone, because those just suck in the hot air from the engine and make it run hotter too.

 

I have a 3400 not a 3800. And yeah I have stock, I will look to see how expensive that is to get it tuned. I would like to get a CAI, but they do not make them for 3400 apparently - I find that really stupid because that is a lot of money gone there. But thanks you for the advice I will look into those things to see what I can do to fix it. Mainly change heater core hoses and oil and thermostat to a 180 and try to get it tuned depending on price.

I appreciate the input! Great advice as always!

 

Since you have a 3400, get it pressure tested while it's at the shop. Make sure the LIM gaskets or head gaskets aren't going bad and allowing air into the system

 

For the scenarios you describe your vehicle is running in the 'normal' temperature operating range. I would replace the worn hoses, have the system flushed and a fresh 50/50 mixture of coolant installed.

 

if anyone is using dex-cool, flush it!!! clear it out of your system!!!!!!!!!!!.
it cost me, it shouldn't have to cost you! all makes and all models prestone and a new
temp sensor, and t stat will put you back on line!!!!!.