Overheating questions

1stford

1stford

Senior Member
Took the rig out for a drive today and about 5-7 minutes in I looked down and it was all the way to H. I pulled over and waited until it got back to “normal” and drove home having to stop and wait one more time. When I got home shot the head with an inferred heat gun and it read 232. Turned out the belt was loose and the passenger side water pump was not spinning.

Got it corrected and it started right up and ran for 2-3 minutes. Questions are:

Was that hot enough to do damage.

Are there things I should do or check before driving it? Just want to make sure I don’t do any additional damage.

Hopefully it’s a non issue.

Guess I need to add make sure everything is spinning before driving!

Thanks.
 
Last edited:
It’ll probably be fine. Take it for another ride . If anything is wrong it’ll show up. I had the same thing happen back last summer.
 
Gene1949 said:
Last guy that worked on it should find something else to do


I did the same thing once after installing a stiff new belt. I learned a new lesson after many years of working on all types of vehicles. I did not quit and find something else to do! Still making mistakes but learning from them too.

Those without making mistakes cast the first stone!
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Yup, “mistakes” are made and are good lesson tools. I just think basic maintenance or a 2-minute walk-around prevent a huge hole in ones’ wallet. I hope he caught it in time.
I stand by my post, that hood hasn’t been lifted in a long time. A belt that loose doesn’t happen overnight.
 
I’m sorry if I send this post going in a different direction than I intended. I was not posting to share a mistake that was made. The question was meant to be, if a car gets up to 235 degrees would that typically do damage. The 2nd question is, before I drive the car again is there anything addtional I should check since it got that high to make sure further damage is not done.
 
After performing a good under hood observation/evaluation I would.
(1) Check if the p-side pump is actually turning
(2) get it up to operating temperature 160 or 180 depending on your choice of thermostats
(3) lower the coolant level to about an inch above the cores and observe for bubbles
(4) take it for a ride and observe again
(5) if you have bubbles be prepared to spend a lot of money even if you can find a competent flathead motor machine shop
As you are probably aware our flat motors are prone to cracking due to overheating. In your favor you just might have caught it in time especially if you had coolant. I don’t think you can do any further damage that hasn’t been already done.
 
1stford said:
I’m sorry if I send this post going in a different direction than I intended. I was not posting to share a mistake that was made. The question was meant to be, if a car gets up to 235 degrees would that typically do damage. The 2nd question is, before I drive the car again is there anything addtional I should check since it got that high to make sure further damage is not done.
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No, 235 won't hurt as long as the block and heads were still full of coolant. Just go for a drive and monitor it.
 
cadillac512 said:
No, 235 won't hurt as long as the block and heads were still full of coolant. Just go for a drive and monitor it.
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We are both assuming that the op had a functioning cooling system WITH a 4-8lbs pressure cap. That would prevent the formation of bubbles in the high temp critical areas that are crack-prone.



Coolant_Temp_VS_Pressure_Chart_1024x1024.jpg
 
Is it possible that there might have been some thermosyphon action taking place since the pump was not moving coolant on one side? If so, that could have helped to remove some heat. Let's hope so! :)
 
mcgarrett said:
Is it possible that there might have been some thermosyphon action taking place since the pump was not moving coolant on one side? If so, that could have helped to remove some heat. Let's hope so! :)
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Good call BUTT, the op's heat gun showed 230+
 
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