Running Hot
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 536
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From: Humble Texas
Running Hot
I just bought a 96, Havent owned a vette since the 70's things have changed.can someone tell me how hot should this car run while in
traffic with a/c on 94deg outside .I checked all my fluids and both fans are on.It seems that it according to the gauge its running really hot
yet no sign of lights of any kind coming on.The a/c seems not to blow as cold while idling in traffic..
traffic with a/c on 94deg outside .I checked all my fluids and both fans are on.It seems that it according to the gauge its running really hot
yet no sign of lights of any kind coming on.The a/c seems not to blow as cold while idling in traffic..
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
In traffic, a/c on, 94 outside, both fans should be running and engine temp could be in the 220-230 range, could be a little lower. Aux fan comes on and temps come down, I think it's about 228 or so. Cruising in that ambient temp, on highway, you'll be running anywhere from 188 or so to 195.
Something that helps a little bit is to stay more than a few feet back from the car in front when stopped. Gets a little less of the exhaust heat. May also want to do a complete flush and fill with new Dex and water.
Something that helps a little bit is to stay more than a few feet back from the car in front when stopped. Gets a little less of the exhaust heat. May also want to do a complete flush and fill with new Dex and water.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,488
Likes: 1,352
These things run hot. The fans come on at 228 and stock they will run up to 228 or even 230 degrees sitting in traffic. They all do this,if your car is running hotter which it probably isn't clean out between the a/c condeser and radiator. The C4 Vette's are like vacuum cleaners they suck all sorts of junk up in there.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
the LT1's run hotter to assist in a cleaner combustion along with the reverse coolant flow. I installed a 180* stat in my 95 and it runs 180 driving and 215 in traffic. The LT1 comes stock with a 180* stat but mine would run around 210 driving so I replaced it and the temps look better.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
Originally Posted by JD'S WHITE 93
These things run hot. The fans come on at 228 and stock they will run up to 228 or even 230 degrees sitting in traffic. They all do this,if your car is running hotter which it probably isn't clean out between the a/c condeser and radiator. The C4 Vette's are like vacuum cleaners they suck all sorts of junk up in there.
Main fan comes on at 227-228 and the auxillary about 235-237 under stock set-up. Look into opening pass side top of the radiator shroud and use shop vac and a tube to clear debris out of front of the radiator.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 11
From: Fisher, IL
mine is burning up when i sit for too long. just got it and with school i haven't had time to see what the problem is. soon though. i think one of my fans isn't working or what but mine can go to redline with out any warning going off.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
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From: Woodstock Georgia
Originally Posted by tparkhi2
mine is burning up when i sit for too long. just got it and with school i haven't had time to see what the problem is. soon though. i think one of my fans isn't working or what but mine can go to redline with out any warning going off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 62
From: Columbia SC
Same as everyone above. My 96LT1 vert, correct color (red/black) temp runs the same. I am thinking of changing the 180 therm to a 160 therm so that it runs a slight bit cooler. As long as you don't get steem and you light does not come on you should be OK.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,088
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From: Poop land
Ever since I cleaned the radiator and had Alvin change the on/off settings in my chip, I'm really not seeing 200 degree coolant temps anymore.
When I'm AutoXing or driving spiritedly, I've had coolant temps to about 225 and my oil up to 287 degrees, but if it is synthetic oil, it shouldn't hurt anything. Yeah, that's with Mobil1 Synthetic 20w-50.
When I'm AutoXing or driving spiritedly, I've had coolant temps to about 225 and my oil up to 287 degrees, but if it is synthetic oil, it shouldn't hurt anything. Yeah, that's with Mobil1 Synthetic 20w-50.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
I also have a 1996 and pay much attention to the cooling system living in South Florida and over 90 de. most of the time. Mine runs 189-191 on the highway and about 194-199 in traffic. With Mobil 1 5W30, the oil temp never has been over 200 de.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
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From: Orlando FL
I'm running the same temps using a 180 thermostat and do about 193 on the road and 205 on the streets but moving. I installed a switch that will pull in the secondary fan relay and start the fan anytime I want. It would still come on at the programmed 235 but like to catch the temperature before it gets there if in traffic. Going home in Orlando the exit ramps and waits on I4 can be long. Yesterday after the car sat in the parking lot for 10 hours, my starting engine temp was 100 when I turned the key. It really cooks here. Charge on. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,342
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From: Central Maryland
Originally Posted by Fast Cop
I am thinking of changing the 180 therm to a 160 therm so that it runs a slight bit cooler.
Be well,
SJW
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Originally Posted by SJW
It won't run any cooler at idle if you do this, unless you also have the ECM re-flashed to kick the cooling fans on at lower temps. Changing only the 'stat to a 160* unit will probably lower temps while cruising, but at idle it'll still climb up to at least the fan-on temps.
Be well,
SJW
Be well,
SJW
It won't change the running temps iether.
Once the thermostat is open its job is done, no matter what the opening degree.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
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From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Originally Posted by pcolt94
I'm running the same temps using a 180 thermostat and do about 193 on the road and 205 on the streets but moving. I installed a switch that will pull in the secondary fan relay and start the fan anytime I want. It would still come on at the programmed 235 but like to catch the temperature before it gets there if in traffic. Going home in Orlando the exit ramps and waits on I4 can be long. Yesterday after the car sat in the parking lot for 10 hours, my starting engine temp was 100 when I turned the key. It really cooks here. Charge on.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,342
Likes: 2,272
From: Central Maryland
Originally Posted by redwing76
It won't change the running temps iether.
Once the thermostat is open its job is done, no matter what the opening degree.
Once the thermostat is open its job is done, no matter what the opening degree.
Be well,
SJW
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Originally Posted by SJW
If the cooling system is otherwise up to the job, it will. My '94 cruises at ~171* - 173*F at ambient temps below ~80*F since I installed a 160*F thermostat. Tell me how this would be possible with a 180* 'stat...
Be well,
SJW
Be well,
SJW
Same as a door, open it, and its no longer closed.
A 160* opens at 160* so it opens faster than a 180* thats the only difference. But once its open it has no effect on the cooling system.
How could it? It doesn't have a smaller opening than a 180*. It doesn't have a larger opening than a 160*.
A 160* thermostat is not reccomened for a Corvette.
A standard thermostat is a 195*. The cars run thier best at 200+ degrees.
A 195* gets the engine up to the peak operating temps faster than a 160* but after that it has no effect on the operating range of the cooling system.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,342
Likes: 2,272
From: Central Maryland
Originally Posted by redwing76
Tell me how its possible with a 160*? Once its open its out of the loop.
Same as a door, open it, and its no longer closed.
A 160* opens at 160* so it opens faster than a 180* thats the only difference. But once its open it has no effect on the cooling system.
How could it? It doesn't have a smaller opening than a 180*. It doesn't have a larger opening than a 160*.
A 160* thermostat is not reccomened for a Corvette.
A standard thermostat is a 195*. The cars run thier best at 200+ degrees.
A 195* gets the engine up to the peak operating temps faster than a 160* but after that it has no effect on the operating range of the cooling system.
Same as a door, open it, and its no longer closed.
A 160* opens at 160* so it opens faster than a 180* thats the only difference. But once its open it has no effect on the cooling system.
How could it? It doesn't have a smaller opening than a 180*. It doesn't have a larger opening than a 160*.
A 160* thermostat is not reccomened for a Corvette.
A standard thermostat is a 195*. The cars run thier best at 200+ degrees.
A 195* gets the engine up to the peak operating temps faster than a 160* but after that it has no effect on the operating range of the cooling system.
At cruising speeds with ambient temps below ~80*F, my cooling system is capable of keeping the ECT at 171 - 173*F with the 160*F 'stat. It might stay even cooler with a 150*F 'stat. But it sure can't stay in the low-170s with a 180*F 'stat.
Regardless of ambient temp, my ECT never reaches 195*F at cruise with the 160*F 'stat installed. On the hottest of days, it cruises at ~180*F. If I ever get around to replacing the radiator, I think it'll cruise a few degrees cooler, and will never go above the fan-on temps (presently 190*F/primary, 195*F/secondary) even at idle.
The LT1 about which the original post was inquiring did not come equipped with a 195*F thermostat. It came equipped with a 180*F 'stat.
Be well,
SJW
Last edited by SJW; May 10, 2006 at 11:38 AM.