New to C4s, Quick Question
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,128
Likes: 283
From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
New to C4s, Quick Question
Love my new 93, what a difference between it and my 81. Put a few hundred miles on it already, what a blast! Just a quick question, what should the water and oil temps run? Can't find it in the manual. Seems to run hotter than my C3, does not get hot, just wondering at what point the cooling fans should kick on.
thanks!
thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 6
From: St Marys GA
C4's run much hotter than earlier SBC's. While the digital and analog gages may differ, the digital one is normally more accurate. I don't know specific turn on/off temps off the top of my head, but don't be surprised to see 210* oil temp on a hot day. I think the hottest I've ever seen is around 230*, on a summer afternoon, at the drag strip 
.
If no warning lights are coming on, you're probably fine. The LT-engines just run hot, that's one of the reasons they require Mobil-1 full synthetic
.If no warning lights are coming on, you're probably fine. The LT-engines just run hot, that's one of the reasons they require Mobil-1 full synthetic
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Palm Springs CA
Don't know for sure, but if you run a search it's here somewhere. Both will come on if you turn on the a/c, I think without the a/c on the second fan comes on at 230, I think the first is around 205. They do run a little hot, also compare the analog reading to the digital, they are a different locations. One thing to check is for debri that catches under the front between the condensor and the raidiator, also the car will heat up at idle, it likes the airflow. And last, if your not sure when coolant was last changed, change it, and make sure it is done proper, there is a valve to burp all of the air out of it, you should also find that info here via search. My black 95 has not had any issues out here where it's over 100 degrees for more than half the year and half of that time its over 110.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,128
Likes: 283
From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Don't know for sure, but if you run a search it's here somewhere. Both will come on if you turn on the a/c, I think without the a/c on the second fan comes on at 230, I think the first is around 205. They do run a little hot, also compare the analog reading to the digital, they are a different locations. One thing to check is for debri that catches under the front between the condensor and the raidiator, also the car will heat up at idle, it likes the airflow. And last, if your not sure when coolant was last changed, change it, and make sure it is done proper, there is a valve to burp all of the air out of it, you should also find that info here via search. My black 95 has not had any issues out here where it's over 100 degrees for more than half the year and half of that time its over 110.
Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 3
From: Independence Kentucky
My 96 runs about 205-210 with normal highway driving. It will go up to 230 in traffic and then the fan will kick on. If you want a digital number, press the guages button on the trip monitor until COOL appears. The number will be under the speed and next to the fuel guage.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,392
Likes: 378
From: Cincinnati Ohio
With a 180 stock thermostat normal operating temps are about 200 to 210....The primary fan kicks on at 228 deg and the secondary fan kicks in at 240..If you turn on the AC both fans kick in until it is turned off. The LT1 is designed to run hotter for emissions reasons....
Enjoy the Ride......They sure are FUN....Very nice set of cars !!!!
Enjoy the Ride......They sure are FUN....Very nice set of cars !!!!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 3
From: Maine
I believe 250ish is about where you need to pull it over and let it cool down but under most normal driving circumstances it should not go past 230s. You can attain cooler operating temps with the aftermarket radiators such as Ron Davis which have more cooling surface and are a little bigger than the OEM radiator.
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