Random Tech Questions

[Fredo]

The cold weather has once again brought up a persistent nagging problem my tahoe has had since I bought it. In the winter, it takes forever to warm up, and when it does, it gets nowhere near the normal operating temp of 200 degrees. Every winter it will trip a P0116 Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Range/Performance Problem. I have replaced the thermostat three winters in a row and the coolant temp sensor as well. It's almost like the cooling system is working too well. I can drive it around for an hour in stop and go traffic and it won't get above 160 degrees. It has a 186 degree (factory temp) thermostat in it. Everything in the cooling system is stock. I'm too the point where I just want to put some cardboard in front of part of the radiator, but that's ****ing ghetto. Anybody ran into anything like this before?

[AggieTJ2007]

Ive got a chevy factory radiator block off thingy you could use. My truck doesn't get about 180 ish when it is cold

[Shaggy]

My truck feels more powerful when it is cold. I like it. The heated seats and steering wheel make life easier too. As well as the remote start to let it warm up. Before I get out to it.

[Shaggy]

Oh and my old suburban would never warm up to regular temp even after long drives when it was cold

[sam_hodnett]

My truck feels more powerful when it is cold. I like it. The heated seats and steering wheel make life easier too. As well as the remote start to let it warm up. Before I get out to it.

[Fredo]

My truck feels more powerful when it is cold. I like it. The heated seats and steering wheel make life easier too. As well as the remote start to let it warm up. Before I get out to it.

Thanks for the advice. Did you eat a lot of paint chips as a child?

[DRAGOONRANCH]

Tater doesn't have the 'insulation' that some of us do,....

[DRAGOONRANCH]

What about sticking a 210 thermostat in there? Have you checked your existing thermo to see what the actual temp is that it opens?

[Fredo]

They only offer a 186 degree thermo for these trucks. I think there are a couple companies that offer lower temp ones for when you put a blower on them and stuff, but I haven't seen anywhere that offers a higher temp one. Plus, I would have to reprogram it if I change the temp range, or it would also trip the p0166 code.

I'm thinking about putting the '05-06 tahoe electric fans on it and seeing if that helps. If the fans aren't on, then maybe it will actually warm up. It would definitely help in the summertime as well, keeping the a/c at meat locker temp even when it's 100+ in stop and go traffic.

[DRAGOONRANCH]

Yeah, I would rather be a bit chilled in the winter than be sweatin my fat ass off in the summer while I was riding around.

[Fredo]

Well, it still sucks having a vehicle from 2002 that won't heat up when I have one from 1974 with a heater that will melt your legs off.

[mudtoy67]

Do the electric fans, or do a radiator baffle. If cardboard is too "ghetto" for you then build you a nice one from sheet metal. Maybe lexan/polycarbonate may be an option? Use cardboard to experiment till you find the right amount of blockage, then make the non ghetto one. The baffle would be easier, and really it doesn't get this cold that often...

[Sparling]

What're the laws in Texas about removing smog stuff and cats? If I redo the exhaust do I have to have the same number of cats or can I just have one?

[DRAGOONRANCH]

The 'law' is going to require you to put it back to stock. What your exhaust guy will let you get away with is another story.

Some places will let you bring it in with out the exhaust and will put anything you want on it as long as they don't have to cut the cat off.

[Sparling]

But since Bexar county is a non emissions county, nobody would know if I disconnected my smog pump and threw it away right? I just want to start simplifying stuff on my truck so if some stupid part that I don't even use breaks on my truck it won't keep me from wheeling or driving for that matter.