High flow cats for an '02 TA Hawk

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FIRSTLAST
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Location: Burlington, IA

Re: High flow cats for an '02 TA Hawk

Post by FIRSTLAST » Tue Jan 12, 2016 4:09 pm

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ub ... er=2090826

The dex cool messes up plastic parts of a block gasket, and becones hard, inflexible. All the top mechanics aroubd here emphasize you need to completely flush and get it out. Look into the link for whst happens to the gaskets, with photos. The product was a poor reaction to a factory defect in the Cadillac STS head gaskets, as well as 3.8 valve cover gaskets when the plastic intakes went into production.

I changed fluid on a Toyoa Prius, and that brand specifies Aisin no phosphate antifreeze. Had to purchase a lift pump, which I love. No bubbles in engine jacket when you fill antifreeze with the lift pump, which pulls fluid in under vacuum.

Volkswagen also has strict rules on their all aluminum engines and again, no phosphate antifreeze, because of the issue of pitted head surfaces. GM is late to this issue with a underwhelming engineer mistake of a product.

I purged my Yukon, put in green under $10 Walmart antifreeze. Insiders claim all bulk chemicals come from same refinery tanks, just get altered additives, or in antifreeze case, different colored cans. Consumers pay for name, but get same thing.
2002 Firehawk 1111 NBM

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NBrehm
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Re: High flow cats for an '02 TA Hawk

Post by NBrehm » Wed Jan 13, 2016 7:56 am

I'm not sure that the dex-cool issues is that big of deal on Gen III's and newer as long as you don't mix it with green. I've taken apart dozens of these engines with all kinds of mileage on them and rarely do they have gasket issues (with the exception of the rear main, lol). Almost every gasket (In theory, I would not do it) on the engine is designed to be re-useable in the way they are constructed so they are very durable. The Northstar had different styles/,aterials for gaskets and was a disaster, as anyone who has changed the rear head on one will tell you. But for 100% certain, you DO NOT want to mix green and red. I've switched to just using yellow in everything I own now, that way there is no confusion or mistakes.
-Nick
2001 Formula Firehawk #293

02 red hawk
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Re: High flow cats for an '02 TA Hawk

Post by 02 red hawk » Mon Feb 01, 2016 9:55 pm

Well, it's been buttoned back up for a month now. So far, so good. No more coolant issues to report. Finally.

02 red hawk
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Re: High flow cats for an '02 TA Hawk

Post by 02 red hawk » Sun Feb 14, 2016 3:37 pm

Confirmed, fans are not coming on. Runs fine at normal temps. When stopped at a light, the temp slowly rises & drops when moving again. Pulled into a parking lot, popped the hood & no fan activity. Shut it down to let it cool for about 15 minutes. Made it home without pegging the gage. Happy that the t-stat was doing it's job. Since the overheating problem started when the rear 02s were tuned out & the fans were adjusted, I will find another tuner to see if he can tell me why the fans are inoperative. I don't do laptop tuning. Hopefully this will be the ghost I'm chasing now.

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BLACK-HAWK
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Re: High flow cats for an '02 TA Hawk

Post by BLACK-HAWK » Sun Feb 14, 2016 4:04 pm

install a manual fan switch to bypass the computer (?)
2001#194 (Unicorn)

02 red hawk
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Re: High flow cats for an '02 TA Hawk

Post by 02 red hawk » Sun Feb 14, 2016 5:00 pm

Already trying to buy one. Site won't take me to the checkout. Getting aggravated, so I'm taking a break. Will try again later.

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Re: High flow cats for an '02 TA Hawk

Post by 02 red hawk » Sun Feb 14, 2016 5:16 pm

Ordered the bypass switch. Passed on the 160* t-stat for obvious reasons. I've replaced enough of those in the past 3 months, I don't want to do it again for awhile.

02 red hawk
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Re: High flow cats for an '02 TA Hawk

Post by 02 red hawk » Fri Feb 19, 2016 9:55 pm

2 of the 3 fan relays were bad. Replaced all 3. Happy to report the first fan comes on at 190*, as it should. The other fan shortly thereafter. Kind of unusual the t-stat failing & losing 2 relays at the same time.

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NBrehm
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Re: High flow cats for an '02 TA Hawk

Post by NBrehm » Sat Feb 20, 2016 6:18 am

02 red hawk wrote:2 of the 3 fan relays were bad. Replaced all 3. Happy to report the first fan comes on at 190*, as it should. The other fan shortly thereafter. Kind of unusual the t-stat failing & losing 2 relays at the same time.
You sure the T-stat was bad? I would bet the relays were the issue.
-Nick
2001 Formula Firehawk #293

02 red hawk
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Re: High flow cats for an '02 TA Hawk

Post by 02 red hawk » Sat Feb 20, 2016 8:21 pm

Original t-stat failed to open to start this issue. Upper hose wasn't even warm. Replaced it with an untested one that didn't open 'till the temp was 218*. Didn't like the coolant boiling before it opened. Fan temps were reset to come on at 190* & 195*. I know the fans were working when the issue started. Don't know when the relays actually failed. I just hope nothing else decides to show it's ass for awhile.

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Re: High flow cats for an '02 TA Hawk

Post by 02 red hawk » Wed May 18, 2016 9:54 pm

Picking it up from the body shop tomorrow. Color matched paint on the lf fender that was scratched. It's been there 2 & 1/2 weeks. I'll post results when I get it home.

FIRSTLAST
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Re: High flow cats for an '02 TA Hawk

Post by FIRSTLAST » Wed May 18, 2016 10:45 pm

How are you testing relays? Thermostat?

I use a candy thermometer and heat my thermostats on stove, figure out what is fact or fiction. You can check the relay on bench pretty easily using a 12 v source and a VOM meter.

I went through hot engine syndrome recently which cooked tranny and still triggering repairs. The alternator bearing was seizing. Could not figure out why it ran that hot, but makes sense in hindsight.
2002 Firehawk 1111 NBM

02 red hawk
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Re: High flow cats for an '02 TA Hawk

Post by 02 red hawk » Thu May 19, 2016 1:46 pm

I tested the relays with a multi meter & using the ac to load, checked continuity. The thermostat can be checked by turning the hvac knob to full hot with no fan. Warm up car & feel the upper radiator hose. If it's cold, it's not open.

02 red hawk
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Re: High flow cats for an '02 TA Hawk

Post by 02 red hawk » Fri Jun 17, 2016 12:24 am

Have had the car back for a couple of weeks now & forgot to post the body shop results. The fender is blemish free again. No sign of where the flaws were. Only thing is, they didn't blend the fender into the front fascia. It's a bit off. But not for long. They will be fixin' that.

02 red hawk
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Re: High flow cats for an '02 TA Hawk

Post by 02 red hawk » Mon Jun 20, 2016 9:32 pm

Clay barred & waxed the lf fender to get it as slick as the rest of the car. If I could only control the dust in the garage, I'd be able to leave it uncovered so I could enjoy the view.

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