[JLL]

Do you still use the metal racerx water outlet that leaked?

Yes. I sent that back and RacerX machined it. It hasn't leaked since.

 

[Thebigzeus]

Yes. I sent that back and RacerX machined it. It hasn't leaked since.

Nice, I saw in another post they were backordered until November.

 

[MP81]

They might have changed their tooling paths to correct the issue.

And then the obvious supply chain issues.

 

[JLL]

UPDATE:

I thought I'd post an update since it'll be a few weeks until I post another one. I had hand surgery on my left hand and won't be working on the Cruze for a little while. After the left hand heals then they're going to do the right one.

Anyway, here is where I left off on the Cruze. It wants to stall under light load up. This is an intermittent issue under 2 PSI of boost. I believe it may be due to my custom PCV system. I've requested specifications for the check valve I'm using and am awaiting a response.

I've ruled out any ignition and fuel injector related control issues. Just before surgery, the engine stopped warming up as it should under normal driving conditions, so I ordered a thermoswitch for the fan so it doesn't run all the time, and a different thermostat. It's acting like the thermostat is stuck open. The coolant reaches ~150F degrees and stays there unless I disconnect the fan, then things eventually overheat at idel. E85 needs at least 170F degrees to achieve optimal combustion.

 

[Blasirl]

UPDATE:

I thought I'd post an update since it'll be a few weeks until I post another one. I had hand surgery on my left hand and won't be working on the Cruze for a little while. After the left hand heals then they're going to do the right one.

Anyway, here is where I left off on the Cruze. It wants to stall under light load up. This is an intermittent issue under 2 PSI of boost. I believe it may be due to my custom PCV system. I've requested specifications for the check valve I'm using and am awaiting a response.

I've ruled out any ignition and fuel injector related control issues. Just before surgery, the engine stopped warming up as it should under normal driving conditions, so I ordered a thermoswitch for the fan so it doesn't run all the time, and a different thermostat. It's acting like the thermostat is stuck open. The coolant reaches ~150F degrees and stays there unless I disconnect the fan, then things eventually overheat at idel. E85 needs at least 170F degrees to achieve optimal combustion.

Good luck with the surgeries. Carpel, Cubital or both?

 

[JLL]

Good luck with the surgeries. Carpel, Cubital or both?

Trigger finger.

 

[Blasirl]

Trigger finger.

I was going to add that, but needed to post to step away. I have trigger thumb, but have had both the other surgeries.

 

[JLL]

I was going to add that, but needed to post to step away. I have trigger thumb, but have had both the other surgeries.

I feel for you. How long have you had it? Mine are my middle fingers. Had it for 3 years and finally decided to do something about it.

 

[Blasirl]

I feel for you. How long have you had it? Mine are my middle fingers. Had it for 3 years and finally decided to do something about it.

Quite some time, but I am much more cognizant of how I use my hands. I also pay attention to them when they start to feel fatigued. I go in for a consult in a few weeks.

I recently received an injection into one of the thumb joints and that has helped tremendously.

 

[JLL]

Quite some time, but I am much more cognizant of how I use my hands. I also pay attention to them when they start to feel fatigued. I go in for a consult in a few weeks.

I recently received an injection into one of the thumb joints and that has helped tremendously.

I had cortisone injections too. For me they helped for about 2 weeks and then the effects wore off. But every body is different.

 

[JLL]

UPDATE:

My thermostat design worked GREAT! 👎

So I'm going to remove it, clean things up and put an in-line thermostat housing on the output side:

 

[MP81]

The hell happened there??

 

[Thebigzeus]

UPDATE:

My thermostat design worked GREAT! 👎

View attachment 298999

So I'm going to remove it, clean things up and put an in-line thermostat housing on the output side:

View attachment 299000

NGL that seal job looks horrible lol 😂 Was that bolted to the stock water pump?

 

[JLL]

NGL that seal job looks horrible lol 😂 Was that bolted to the stock water pump?

Not my best work, a little too much sealant, but it's didn't leak.

It was bolted to the stock water pump. It matches the radiator output diameter. I'm going to bolt it back on. Just without the thermostat.

 

[Thebigzeus]

Not my best work, a little too much sealant, but it's didn't leak.

It was bolted to the stock water pump. It matches the radiator output diameter. I'm going to bolt it back on. Just without the thermostat.

Looks like the first time I did my water pump

 

[JLL]

Looks like the first time I did my water pump

Except, I used the RTV as the gasket.

 

[JLL]

The hell happened there??

Sorry didn't see your post.

The snap ring came out of the groove I cut for it in the housing on one side. Coolant flow did the rest.

 

[JLL]

UPDATE:

While I was waiting for the new in-line thermostat, I decided to test the breather check valve. Needless to say it does not completely seal. Time for more design work. So, I disassembled the valve to see what made it tick. What did I find?

This:

That little 1" white ball is all that seals the check valve. It's hallow and weights all of 2.0 grams! For those of you not familiar with the metric system that's less than 1/320th of a pound. That's not going to seal anything.

So after doing some calculations, and some digging, I found an upgrade that will match the intake manifold cracking/closing pressure of ~ 0.3 PSI.

A 66 gram 1" Stainless Steel solid ball bearing:

So Shiney, can't look away...

 

[Thebigzeus]

UPDATE:

While I was waiting for the new in-line thermostat, I decided to test the breather check valve. Needless to say it does not completely seal. More design work. So I disassembled the valve to see what made it tick. What did I find?

This:
View attachment 299051

That little 1" white ball is all that seals the check valve. It's hallow and weights all of 2.0 grams! For those of you not familiar with the metric system that's less than 1/320th of a pound. That's not going to seal anything.

So after doing some calculations I decided to replace it with an upgrade.

A 1" Stainless Steel solid ball bearing:
View attachment 299052

It weights 66 grams and should work nicely.

Now will that ball be too heavy though to move the opposite way though?

 

[JLL]

Now will that ball be too heavy though to move the opposite way though?

I edited the post. But, to answer your question: Theoretically No.