Running Hot!
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Running Hot!
Hello, Just purchased a 90 with a 350 that runs hot on idle. I took this to the dearlership and they replaced the thermostat and pressure tested the cooling system. They said it now runs about 215F which is normal? Appreciate and help or info that anyone may have...Thanks!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Watertown SD
Yep, sounds normal. My '85 runs at about 170-180 on the highway, and about 200-210 in city traffic. 215 isn't too high out of line. The owners manual says to shut down at 260....the 2ndary cooling fan on mine comes on if it his 225 or so, that's only happened once when it was over 100 outside temp. So again, in regular city traffic, 215 indeed sounds normal to me.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Orangeburg, NY
215 sounds about normal. Corvettes traditionally run hot. You can also do some checks on your own, for free. Look into the air intake and check for debris. Many times leaves, plastic bags, road garbage gest sucked into the air intake and blocks the radiator. You can also clean the radiator fairly easily. With a spray bottle spray the radiator with a mixture of Simple green, and let it soak for a while. then rinse off, very carefully DO NOT GET THE ENGINE WET. You can also remove the radiator shroud and look between the radiator and A/C evaporator, again checking for garbage, leaves, etc.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 507
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix AZ
Yeah, you might be suprised at what you can find inside of that lower shroud. I once found a plastic grocery bag in there, had no idea it was there. Someone mentioned in all caps "do not get the engine wet". I wash my engine fairly regularly, cold of course. Not sure why he would be so adament about that. Maybe he washed a HOT engine once and cracked the block. If there's someone else out there that knows why a person should NEVER wash your Corvette engine, please enlighten us. I have been washing my LT1 for 7 years, purrs like a black panther.
DD
DD
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 3
From: Bel Air Md
You have a L98, that did not have opti spark. Opti started in 92 with the LT1. I think the design of the 90 is different from the 84 - 89. On the passenger side there should be an opening to see in between the condenser and radiator. Check to see there is not something blocking air flow. 215 in city is not too high. My 93 last week with the temp's in high 90's and with the air on, ran 197 on the road. You can hose the condenser from the front of the car. I made up a long piece of 1/4 tubing bent with a 90 at the end, I have an adapter to fit my hose and it allows me to clean the condenser from in between the two.
There happens to be a great article in the October edition of Corvette Enthusiast on heating problems on C4's
There happens to be a great article in the October edition of Corvette Enthusiast on heating problems on C4's
