Normal Operating Temp
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
From: Marlow OK
Normal Operating Temp
I think I'm having some radiator/cooling problems. 93 LT-1 w/110K miles, when warmed up runs at 207-209 degrees. Has 190 degree thermostat. I think that's too high. For comparison, have a 96 LT-4 that runs at 190. What should I expect in the 93 for normal operating temp? I'm thinking 190, if that's what kind of thermostat is in it. Thoughts?
Bonehead
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 121
Likes: 9
From: Onnabeachin, Hawaii 94 6spd
I don't think you're running hot. My 94 tends to run around 215-220 and still says "cool." I'm a constant gauge watcher. It has always run this temp, ever since I drove it off the lot. Doesn't seem to make a diff if in stopandgo Honolulu traffic, AC on or off, or comfortably cruising along at the maximum speed limit allowed on the island (60...)
Have you noticed in the past that your 93 ran cooler, and the 207-209 now represents a change?
Have you noticed in the past that your 93 ran cooler, and the 207-209 now represents a change?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
From: Marlow OK
Thanks. Interesting. I wish I had paid more attention to what it was doing before, but the car sat for a year while I was in Iraq, and don't really remember, but do think it was always where it is now. What made me start to question the temp was the fan was coming on during normal driving and like I said in prev post, my 96 LT-4 runs at 190 degrees. Have a 91 Chev truck that I blow air (or high pressure water) back thru radiator about 1/year as cooling fins of radiator will accumulate bugs/dust/etc and not allow air to flow thru like it should. I think I'm having the same issue here. But unlike the Chev truck, access to radiator and the process I mention above is quite a bit easier than a Corvette. And your point about your temps make this situation even more intriguing. Will be interesting to see what others say.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 50
From: Palmdale CA
Shine a flashlight through the opening on the R/H side of the upper radiator shroud, where the A/C lines pass through the shroud, and look for Debris...
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 402
Likes: 7
From: New Tazewell Tennessee
No no thank you!
Thanks. Interesting. I wish I had paid more attention to what it was doing before, but the car sat for a year while I was in Iraq, and don't really remember, but do think it was always where it is now. What made me start to question the temp was the fan was coming on during normal driving and like I said in prev post, my 96 LT-4 runs at 190 degrees. Have a 91 Chev truck that I blow air (or high pressure water) back thru radiator about 1/year as cooling fins of radiator will accumulate bugs/dust/etc and not allow air to flow thru like it should. I think I'm having the same issue here. But unlike the Chev truck, access to radiator and the process I mention above is quite a bit easier than a Corvette. And your point about your temps make this situation even more intriguing. Will be interesting to see what others say.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
My 1995 with 7,000 miles operates at 195 to 215 depending on outside air temperature and what the car is doing (stop and go or highway operation). I have never seen it above 215. The oil temperature mirrors the coolant temperature within a few degrees.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
Likes: 9
From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
Now back to the OP. Without the AC running the primary fan should come on at 228*, the secondary at 235. With the AC on both fans should run constantly. Your temps of 207 - 209 are not overly hot, but you should still check for debris between the radiator and the condenser. These cars are bottom breathers and suck up all sorts of junk from the road. One plastic bag can cut off 25% of your radiator. Be very careful cleaning the crap out, the fins are soft and bend very easily.
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
Let's clear this up first; "cool" is short for coolant. (It will still say "cool" at 235*). It doesn't mean that the car is not running hot.
Now back to the OP. Without the AC running the primary fan should come on at 228*, the secondary at 235. With the AC on both fans should run constantly. Your temps of 207 - 209 are not overly hot, but you should still check for debris between the radiator and the condenser. These cars are bottom breathers and suck up all sorts of junk from the road. One plastic bag can cut off 25% of your radiator. Be very careful cleaning the crap out, the fins are soft and bend very easily.
Now back to the OP. Without the AC running the primary fan should come on at 228*, the secondary at 235. With the AC on both fans should run constantly. Your temps of 207 - 209 are not overly hot, but you should still check for debris between the radiator and the condenser. These cars are bottom breathers and suck up all sorts of junk from the road. One plastic bag can cut off 25% of your radiator. Be very careful cleaning the crap out, the fins are soft and bend very easily.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 951
Likes: 3
From: Placerville CA
I'm on the open road at 60-65 MPH, no stop and go and no A/C running. Outside temp is in the 80s.
BTW, I did not have any significant blockage on the outside of the old radiator -- just a lot of old Dex-Cool sediment inside. For $150 (plus new coolant) and a few hours work it's a project worth doing, IMHO. Now I can drive without being fixated neurotically on the temp gauge.
