Offroad Trailblazers and Envoys

Radiator swap

Trailblazer and Envoy related, but not off-road related...

by zerovandez » Thu Aug 03, 2017 10:59 pm

Im trying to find a cost affective solution to cooling down this i6 motor of mine.

Was wondering if increased cooling capacity would help. If so, would a radiator from an ext fit into my swb?

I know that the ext was also offered with a 5.3 v8 as well, anyone has specs on its radiator? Would it fit in swb?
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by DirtyBacon04 » Thu Aug 03, 2017 11:08 pm

These come from the factory with an ability to keep itself cool. Have you done any mods or had any issues that would explain why it can't cool anymore? Heavy towing?
Also, where are you getting your temps? Gauge cluster or scantool?
As much as I have done with my rig, even off-roading in the desert of the SW in 110+ degree weather, I've never had an issue with engine cooling.
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by zerovandez » Thu Aug 03, 2017 11:57 pm

The engine is stock with a few replacement parts. The most relevant replacement part is the ACDelco thermostat which fixed my closed thermos issue causing overheat.

I took a trip out to Mammoth from SoCal with outside temps reaching 115f. My A/C was on for the entire way and the last 20 miles were brutal, the climb was much more inclined and the truck overheated. I had kids in the car with minimal gear so it's not like she was loaded. The coolant boiled over and out of the res. I refilled with 50/50 at res and radiator then limped her to the destination after an hour or so of resting.

In socal with temps at 93f, I don't get the same issue but the temp needle on gauge does move slightly above 210 at times.
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by bartonmd » Fri Aug 04, 2017 8:03 am

If it's overheating, you've got something wrong. Likely your fan clutch isn't fully engaging. It should be able to tow a 5k+ trailer up those hills at 120F and not boil over.

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by zerovandez » Fri Aug 04, 2017 1:13 pm

Sorry, I realized I replaced more to this truck than previously stated. Here's a list which was done within the last 2 months.

Water Pump
Fan Clutch
Thermostat
Gaskets for IM, VC, TB
Cleaned the TB
Flushed coolant as best I could and replaced with dexcool 50/50

When does the fan clutch engage? does it ever partial engage or only full lock up?
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by bartonmd » Fri Aug 04, 2017 2:45 pm

No, it comes on linearly, and later than you'd think. You didn't happen to have a SES light, did you?

TB Fan vs Temp.jpg


Have you at all recently cleaned your radiator and condenser?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETsia8XD5rk

It's not out of bounds for a new or fairly new fan clutch or thermostat to be out of spec, either. In fact, my AC Delco replacement thermostat tended to make the coolant temperature walk up and down 15-20 degrees, on the highway, for no apparent reason.

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by DirtyBacon04 » Fri Aug 04, 2017 3:52 pm

Yea, I forgot about the obvious possibility of a dirty radiator. First time i cleaned mine, I was astonished at the amount of caked on mud i found
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by zerovandez » Sat Aug 05, 2017 2:43 am

Cool thanks, guys. I will take the cheaper route first. What program is that?

Also, would installing a transmission cooler help take away heat from the radiator?
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by DirtyBacon04 » Sat Aug 05, 2017 10:13 am

That depends on if you put the auxiliary cooler before or after the radiator.
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by zerovandez » Sat Aug 05, 2017 7:51 pm

What would be considered optimal?
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by DirtyBacon04 » Sun Aug 06, 2017 7:49 am

Insert the aux xmsn cooler before the radiator to reduce the workload of the radiator.
For optimal xmsn cooling, insert it after the radiator.
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