C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

temp. sending unit

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 15, 2010 | 09:39 PM
  #1  
Alex/plus's Avatar
Alex/plus
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 397
Likes: 1
From: Heartland
Default temp. sending unit

My heat gauge trys to play games with my 68 year old heart.

During the L82s warm-up period the heat gauge will climb to the "red line" then drop back to the correct temp of about 210/215. Doesn't really concern me because I know differently.

Just curious .Anyone have an explanation for this type of sending unit/gauge behaviour??
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2010 | 10:24 PM
  #2  
mvette76's Avatar
mvette76
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: coon rapids mn
Default

could be a sticky thermastat!
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2010 | 10:25 PM
  #3  
wombvette's Avatar
wombvette
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Default

Pretty common for the water to heat up before the thermostat opens. You will especially notice this behavior if you drive off before the car warms up.

I would check the water level just to confirm that it is not low and there is no air void. And, you might want to change the thermostat just as a precaution if it is slow.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2010 | 08:27 AM
  #4  
straub18045's Avatar
straub18045
Racer
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Easton PA
Default

i my experiences always a thermostat, but make sure coolant system is bled properly after repairs.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2010 | 12:15 PM
  #5  
7T1vette's Avatar
7T1vette
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Default

Most likely a sticky thermostat. The coolant's pressure builds with added heat; the stat is sticking closed until the pressure builds and finally forces it open. Your stat is bad and needs to be replaced...before the engine sustains any damage.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2010 | 08:12 PM
  #6  
Alex/plus's Avatar
Alex/plus
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 397
Likes: 1
From: Heartland
Default

Well of course...."duh"

The stat stays shut till the engine warms and then opens to allow the whole system to operate as it's supposed to.:o

Thanks guys.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2010 | 08:23 PM
  #7  
...Roger...'s Avatar
...Roger...
Race Director
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by Alex/plus
Well of course...."duh"

The stat stays shut till the engine warms and then opens to allow the whole system to operate as it's supposed to.:o

Thanks guys.
But most don't bounce off the redline. If it were me I would do as wombvette recommended,check the water level. If the level is good I would replace the thermostat,that sticking could get worse.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2010 | 10:26 PM
  #8  
7T1vette's Avatar
7T1vette
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Default

Alex...
The point is that a 'sticky' stat doesn't open when it is supposed to. It must be forced open by the pressure build up in the engine.....NOT a good thing. The next 'shoe to drop' is that the stat doesn't open at all and you blow a radiator hose.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Corvettes to Drive Before You Die!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Corvette & Porsche 911: How Two Icons Conquered the Last 25 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
Old Aug 17, 2010 | 10:33 PM
  #9  
Peterbuilt's Avatar
Peterbuilt
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,431
Likes: 1,562
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Default

Originally Posted by 7T1vette
Alex...
The point is that a 'sticky' stat doesn't open when it is supposed to. It must be forced open by the pressure build up in the engine.....NOT a good thing. The next 'shoe to drop' is that the stat doesn't open at all and you blow a radiator hose.
You can bring a horse to water but you can't make him drink it.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To temp. sending unit





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:54 PM.

story-0
10 Corvettes to Drive Before You Die!

Slideshow: 10 Corvettes to drive before you die.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-23 08:31:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
Corvette & Porsche 911: How Two Icons Conquered the Last 25 Years

Slideshow: Corvette and Porsche 911, how two icons conquered the last 25 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-23 08:18:33


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Is the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 the best Silverado yet?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-16 08:01:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

Slideshow: 5 best and 5 worst Corvette daily drivers

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:32:13


VIEW MORE
story-4
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

Slideshow: The headlights of every Corvette generation explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:17:14


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-7
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE