Corvettewolf

I have a newly bought 1994 LT1. When stuck in traffic the Temp Gauge sits at 230 and goes down again when traffic clears and I start moving at reasonable pace. Is this high temp. normal?

Impala Balko

mine does the same thing and as far as i know its normal...

Demonic85

Thats normal, fans kick on around 230-235. If it keeps going up, turn on the AC to turn the fan on. You can have your ECM reprogrammed to turn the fans on sooner if you like.

AUTO_X_AL

230* used to be where our car ran on a hot day. I've hit 258* a few times and that's when I start to worry alot!

FWIW the new vettes dont even turn the fans on until they hit 230*.

I think your ok.

Demonic85

258* holy crap!

And your head gaskets were ok???

1Harley 1Vette

1996 C.E. Vert LT1.
That is exactly what mine does. secondary fan on at 230 and off at 217. It's pretty annoying though when you're stuck in traffic to watch it go from 230 to 217 and back and forth while stuck in Dallas traffic.

Corvettewolf

Thanks guys. You have put my mind at rest

RollaMo-LT4

As long as it does not go over 235 - 238 or so, it is considered normal for stop and go bumper to bumper traffic.

Now, if it continues to climb then you might have problems.
GM says to shut the car down at 260!

260 and above, and you could have head gasket or other serious issues.

You won't blow a head gasket at 230 though. The boiling point is approx. 260 F. at sea level. This assumes proper coolant mix, level, pressure, etc.

AUTO_X_AL

Yeah, The first time it was 30* out when the primary fan caught on fire. The second time (which may have been much higher because I caught the temp on a cool down lap) I came into the pits with the brakes smokin' and both tie rod end boots were on fire. I tell you this things a tank and it runs strong as death. Thank god for water wetter!

Mtnvettes

My 94 convertible runs 230 degrees in traffic, even when the ambient temp is 50 degrees. Drops as soon as I start moving. Still bothers me as it sometimes goes up to the mid 240s. In discussions with LT4Man, he suggests replacing the radiator with an OEM, put in a 165 degree thermostat, and reprogram the fans. I believe he did it with his LT4 and it now runs cooler. Since the 1994s are 13 years old, this is probably a good recommendation. I will probably do this sometime next year when I retire. If I were you, I would keep an eye on the temp gage. Also, check your radiator for debris that may be trapped, this will cause increased temps.

enventr

my stock 95 with a dewitt rad. and a 180 stat will do that in traffic (up to 230dg.) I now use the a/c to turn the fans on and lower the temp as soon as I'm in traffic

aminnich

94/95s the factory programming is main fan on at 228*F, aux fan on at 237*F, danger point is at 240*F and damage iminent at 260*F. These temps are according to you digital gauge, not the analog. Changing radiators, stat's, etc is usually pointless unless you have another issue as airflow thru the radiator is essential for proper cooling. I did not like these higher temps, went to hypertech 160* stat and reprogrammed the ECM fan parameters. I now run consistent 185* highway and 210* in city stop and go.

tcr75

I just went to the 230 degrees yesterday. I was in stop and go L.A. traffic. I switched the heater on high and it dropped fast. By the time I was driving 70 for 1/2 mile the temp dropped to 198 degrees. I have a 160 temp t-stat at home that is going in. I should have the fans reprogrammed. I have been really considering an electric water pump too.

larryfs

so your all trying to defeat the million dollar GM engineering dept. hmmmmm.
90% of vette owners leave their car stock, and how many of them have blown up from high temps ??

GM doesn't engineer their cars to spend time at the dealer for warrenty head gaskets.

xCCTer

tcr75

Well in that case why try to improve on anything? We should build all planes like the kitty hawk. I am sure that you agree that asbestos insulation was great. It work but there was improved ways. You still a fan of avacado green and **** carpeting? Do you upgrade your cellphones? Its called IMPROVEMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

proclaimer36

My 95 did the same thing but I had my dad flush the raditor and it actually helped out a lot. I drove it during my midtour in Cali and it never went over 210.

biggrizzly

To determine if running cooler actually helps any it might pay to take a look at the emissions test. GM designed in the hotter running temps to lower the emissions. I always wondered how much things would go up with the mods to make it run cooler. I agree it is a little nerve racking to watch it bounce off 235 occasionally.

xCCTer

Kitty Hawk is a town in North Carolina. The actual location of the first flight was about four miles away in Kill Devil Hills, but newspapers had picked up the dateline of Kitty Hawk, and it stuck.

The aircraft was called the Wright Flyer.

Here is a picture of CV-63, USS Kitty Hawk.

xCCTer

I drive in the same conditions as you do (MD) from homes in Frederick and one on Kent Island, with work in Leesburg, VA.

Even in Bay Bridge/Beltway back-ups I never get over 228* where the main fan kicks on and quickly brings it down to 215* and the cycle repeats.

With A/C on (fan on constantly under 35mph) I've never gotten over 213* in summer traffic.

Have you checked for debris between your radiator and condenser?

Just a thought.