Temp Rollercoaster
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Overland Park Ks
Temp Rollercoaster-Hell ....now its boiling over!
Good day all,
Last week I posted that my temps had hit 208. Well...I just charged the A/C and now it hits 217-218 occasionally. Its only 77 degrees outside. I have a new Mezzair High Volume electric water pump on the car. Both fans run all the time (set that way). The coolant level is good. What temps are you guys running and how hot is tooooo hot?
I just went outside and saw the dreaded puddle. I will change the thermostat tomorow. Hope it was sticking, and that it cures the problem. Any other things to check?
Last week I posted that my temps had hit 208. Well...I just charged the A/C and now it hits 217-218 occasionally. Its only 77 degrees outside. I have a new Mezzair High Volume electric water pump on the car. Both fans run all the time (set that way). The coolant level is good. What temps are you guys running and how hot is tooooo hot?
I just went outside and saw the dreaded puddle. I will change the thermostat tomorow. Hope it was sticking, and that it cures the problem. Any other things to check?
Last edited by Pony_Express_Driver; Sep 3, 2004 at 06:51 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 156
From: White Oak PA
Totally stock 1987 L98 and my water temperature averages around 190 - 205 in the summer heat here in Western PA. When idling for a minute or more, the temperature can reach the upper 220's. As soon as the fan kicks in or the C4 gets moving, it drops back to normal. Even when in the low 70's, the temperature only fluctuates a few degrees downward.
Not sure about water temperatures for LT1's or LT4's though? Hope this helps. Good luck.
Not sure about water temperatures for LT1's or LT4's though? Hope this helps. Good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 0
From: Mobile AL
St. Jude Donor '05
My '96 LT1 runs 170 to 190 (infrequently 200) while driving. Gets up to 210 sometimes while idling for long periods but comes down quickly when I get moving. Have you checked the radiator/condenser to see if there's any trash in there? Major problem with the open bottom of the radiator area.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 109
Likes: 3
From: Just North of Boston Mass
My 85 was so hot I couldn't stand next to it after driving. 220-230 deg..
I changed to a 180 deg. therm [now runs at 180-200]and added a manual switch for the fan/s so I could leave them on constantly in real hot weather, but you really could go without the manual switch. That should take it down a notch while your in there get a brass hose connector at home depot and bypass the throtte body heater hoses and really wake up your engine. I don't have an electric pump and no ac
both of which may cause you to run hotter.
I changed to a 180 deg. therm [now runs at 180-200]and added a manual switch for the fan/s so I could leave them on constantly in real hot weather, but you really could go without the manual switch. That should take it down a notch while your in there get a brass hose connector at home depot and bypass the throtte body heater hoses and really wake up your engine. I don't have an electric pump and no ac
both of which may cause you to run hotter.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Yardley PA
I went from the stock 195 to 180 thermostat in my '87 and the difference was like night and day! My crusing temps are always under 190. In standstill traffic I still can creep up in the 220s, but once I get moving it comes back down to the 180s. Maybe in the future I'll have the fans come on earlier but right now I'm very happy with the way things are.
I highly recommend the lower thermostat for anyone with an L98. Especially those of us who store our cars in the winter.
I highly recommend the lower thermostat for anyone with an L98. Especially those of us who store our cars in the winter.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,510
Likes: 240
From: Coconut Creek FL
Originally Posted by SilverBeast
My '96 LT1 runs 170 to 190 (infrequently 200) while driving. Gets up to 210 sometimes while idling for long periods but comes down quickly when I get moving. Have you checked the radiator/condenser to see if there's any trash in there? Major problem with the open bottom of the radiator area.
What he said!
I did this on my 94 and it never goes to the halfway mark on the gauge any more...gets close....prior- it would go 3\4's of the way sitting in traffic...I guess a good 20 degree drop after getting all the plastic and road crud out of it!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
A/C operation should have it running cooler as the system needs to maintain condensor temp below the thermostat for decent vent temps (which is why a/c keeps the fans on at idle). Fix whatever made it leak coolant and recheck. Then, if it continues, suspect that the operating pressures are too high. If the air across the condenser is 80 degrees, the high side should be flowing out at around 200 psi and for R134, that's a temp of 130 degrees. If, instead for example, it's flowing at 300 psi, that's 167 degrees. Remember too that the gas entering the condenser is at a higher pressure so the actual heat transfer that takes places is a few degrees higher. All of that heated air gets passed through to the radiator, but it should still be well below the thermostat temp, so if the cooling system is clean and tight, you'll need to check the high side pressures.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Overland Park Ks
Cured!
I had suspected the Thermostat and was right. It ran a little warm on the way home from a cruise last Sat night and I didnt drive it after that till the air was fixed. I put in a 180 Stant and took it for a hard run. After 100 plus for a few mins the engine was still at 194 degrees. I can stand this. Now..what more is gonna hit?
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