88 c4 normal temp?
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Originally Posted by ZumZum
At about 80* outside temps my '88 runs around 185* when running at highway speeds. Will get up to 200*-205* around town in stop and go traffic.
Sounds about right!If you are running higher you probably need to pull the Radiator and clean out trash between the Rad and the AC condensor
These things are vacuum cleaners and you will be amazzed at what you will find in there if it hasn't been cleaned regularly
seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Edmonton AB
Originally Posted by ZumZum
At about 80* outside temps my '88 runs around 185* when running at highway speeds. Will get up to 200*-205* around town in stop and go traffic.
sub-195º thermostat. Yes?
My '89 has the 195º t-stat and twin fans. It
also has aluminum underdrive pulleys,
50/50 distilled water & glycol coolant with a
popular red wetting agent added. I hose debris
out of the rad and a/c condenser each spring.
At ambient temps of 80º, it operates at 190º
when cruising at 70 mph. In town it will hold
at <196º provided it is moving at 25-30+. In
stop/go conditions, the temp climbs to 205+
but will come back down quickly as speed picks
up. I sometimes use the heater to supplement
cooling if I can not escape traffic. Think the fans
engage at 225º but do not recall with certainty.
Last edited by Slalom4me; Jun 9, 2005 at 08:04 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Bel Air Md
Just had my 88 out today. Temp was in the low 90's. Oil temp was around 220 and the water temp with the air on was around 200 while driving. Without the air, it's around 195. That's normal with a stock thermostat. Fans don't come on till 235 F in traffic.
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
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From: Sacramento, CA Money can't buy happiness - but it's more comfortable to cry in a Corvette than a Yugo.
The 88 Factory Shop Manual specifies that the main fan comes on at 226F and the auxillary fan (if you have one) comes on at 228F. The OEM thermostat was 195F. It is safe to assume that any temp in between 195F and 226F is "normal" for an 88.
jackdaroofer is absolutely correct. "...you probably need to pull the Radiator and clean out trash between the Rad and the AC condensor.
These things are vacuum cleaners and you will be amazzed at what you will find in there if it hasn't been cleaned regularly."
After seeing my 88 run at 235 in traffic on hot days, I removed my radiator and cleaned both the radiator and the area in front of it. Replaced the 195 thermostat with a 180. HUGE improvement. Now it runs 182 on the highway and never goes above 217 on the hottest days in traffic. Pulling the radiator and cleaning it takes a couple of hours and is well worth the time and effort.
jackdaroofer is absolutely correct. "...you probably need to pull the Radiator and clean out trash between the Rad and the AC condensor.
These things are vacuum cleaners and you will be amazzed at what you will find in there if it hasn't been cleaned regularly."
After seeing my 88 run at 235 in traffic on hot days, I removed my radiator and cleaned both the radiator and the area in front of it. Replaced the 195 thermostat with a 180. HUGE improvement. Now it runs 182 on the highway and never goes above 217 on the hottest days in traffic. Pulling the radiator and cleaning it takes a couple of hours and is well worth the time and effort.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
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Originally Posted by Mike_88Z51
Pulling the radiator and cleaning it takes a couple of hours and is well worth the time and effort.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Edmonton AB
Originally Posted by Mike_88Z51
I removed my radiator and cleaned both the radiator and the area in front of it. Replaced the 195 thermostat with a 180. HUGE improvement. Now it runs 182 on the highway and never goes above 217 on the hottest days in traffic. Pulling the radiator and cleaning it takes a couple of hours and is well worth the time and effort.
have not had to pull the rad (hosing forward from
engine compartment has been satisfactory) When
I do pull the rad, it will be to exchange it for one
with greater cooling capacity.
I'm not a believer in cold t-stats. Don't want to
reopen the debate, only want to register which
side of the fence I'm on. If the coolant temp
could stabilize at something around 205-210º
AND STAY THERE, I'd be a happy camper. I'd
like the oil to range around 210-220º. Then
if there were water-cooled exhaust manifolds
with no performance or weight penalties, life
in C4-ville would be good.
.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Pittsburgh Pirates PA
mine runs hot esp in traffic on the burning asphalt.. 230 or so, and i don't really care. been doing it for a long time and the car runs great. i quit caring or worrying about it.
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Originally Posted by Slalom4me
I agree with the benefits seen from cleaning but I
have not had to pull the rad (hosing forward from
engine compartment has been satisfactory) When
I do pull the rad, it will be to exchange it for one
with greater cooling capacity.
I'm not a believer in cold t-stats. Don't want to
reopen the debate, only want to register which
side of the fence I'm on. If the coolant temp
could stabilize at something around 205-210º
AND STAY THERE, I'd be a happy camper. I'd
like the oil to range around 210-220º. Then
if there were water-cooled exhaust manifolds
with no performance or weight penalties, life
in C4-ville would be good.
.
have not had to pull the rad (hosing forward from
engine compartment has been satisfactory) When
I do pull the rad, it will be to exchange it for one
with greater cooling capacity.
I'm not a believer in cold t-stats. Don't want to
reopen the debate, only want to register which
side of the fence I'm on. If the coolant temp
could stabilize at something around 205-210º
AND STAY THERE, I'd be a happy camper. I'd
like the oil to range around 210-220º. Then
if there were water-cooled exhaust manifolds
with no performance or weight penalties, life
in C4-ville would be good.
.
Blowing water into the Rad from the back is only going to build up more trash between the AC and the Rad and make it run hotter. IMHOWith even a 180 thermo, I run about 184 at speed even in the hottest weather
With a 160 thermo in summer, I run about 174
In traffic I might climb to 205, but then my fans come on
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
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From: Edmonton AB
Originally Posted by jackdaroofer
Blowing water intothe Rad from the back is only going to build up more
trash between the AC and the Rad and make it run
hotter.
is flow through both the rad and the condensor. I
do see some bug debris flow out through the gap
between them and drain out through the lower rad
support.
I reach up from the front, clear out anything obvious
and straighten tweaked fins. Then hose forward from
the engine compartment.
I'm not claiming this is the perfect solution, but with
an auto trans and an uncut upper rad shroud, it does
mean I do not have to drain coolant, trans fluid and
remove a lot of shroud fasteners. I find that Poplar
fluff is what tends to accumulate and reduce cooling
on my vehicle - easily hosed out. Since it is easy
and quick, it gets done regularly.
Others may have a more hostile environment and
need to take more extensive measures.
.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,018
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From: OR
Originally Posted by ZumZum
At about 80* outside temps my '88 runs around 185* when running at highway speeds. Will get up to 200*-205* around town in stop and go traffic.
