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Is It Normal

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Old Mar 15, 2011 | 09:44 PM
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Default Is It Normal

I bought a '92 coupe about three weeks ago and it is my first vette. When left idling, even in cooler weather (55 degrees), the temperature slowly rises until the fan comes on at 227*F. I haven't had the opportunity to just let it sit to see if the temperature begins dropping when the fan comes on, but it worries me that it goes up that high under little to no load (no A/C) and in relatively cool temperatures. Makes me wonder how she's going to handle the heat and humidity around here this summer. The radiator appears to be clear of debris, dirt, etc, the antifreeze is bright green, and the water pump doesn't leak. Is it normal for a C4 to do that? The last thing I want to do is overheat the engine and do serious damage. Thanks.

Jim aka #1weatherman
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Old Mar 15, 2011 | 10:06 PM
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its normal, however there are things you can do to have the fan turn on at a lower temp that will help your engine to live longer and A/C work better
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Old Mar 15, 2011 | 10:07 PM
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Not to worry, it is working exactly as it should.
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Old Mar 15, 2011 | 10:12 PM
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Yes, that is the correct temp for the fan to start.

Your C4 is like a big vacuum and tends to suck small pebbles, grass, plastic bags, etc into the air conditioner condenser and radiator opening.

I used compressed air from the back of the radiator and condenser and removed a dust pan full of debris which helped my car run considerably cooler in traffic.
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Old Mar 15, 2011 | 10:21 PM
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As others said its normal albeit too warm for most peoples tastes. Not much margin of error between running warm and too hot.
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Old Mar 15, 2011 | 10:41 PM
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It's normal and the way the engine was designed to run. Just keep the proper grade of full synthetic oil in it and you will be fine.
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Old Mar 15, 2011 | 11:13 PM
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Originally Posted by oldalaskaman
its normal, however there are things you can do to have the fan turn on at a lower temp that will help your engine to live longer and A/C work better
What are these things that one can do?
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Old Mar 15, 2011 | 11:18 PM
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Most don't like it, but that is the way it was designed.
If your cooling system is in good shape, it will sit and idle like that all day.

It will get up to about 230-235 then drop down to 218-227 range, and the cycle will repeat.
Remember, sitting at idle without the cooling fan running there is no air being forced across the radiator cooling fins.

With the proper coolant mixture and pressure cap, the car won't actually overheat until the temps reach close to 260° F.
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