LT1 Temperature
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 35
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From: Novi Mi
LT1 Temperature
My 1992 LT1 seems to be running hotter.
The temperatures are running between 195 and 210 (depending on wheather I'm cruising the highway or driving in traffic) and I've seen it hit 215/220 sitting in traffic.
I'm not positive, because I never paid close attention, but It seems like the car ran quite a bit cooler when I first got it 5 years ago. I seem to remember it running in the 180-190 range.
I'm just worried my car might be running too hot. Am I crazy here? Or do I possibly have a problem I should look into?
The temperatures are running between 195 and 210 (depending on wheather I'm cruising the highway or driving in traffic) and I've seen it hit 215/220 sitting in traffic.
I'm not positive, because I never paid close attention, but It seems like the car ran quite a bit cooler when I first got it 5 years ago. I seem to remember it running in the 180-190 range.
I'm just worried my car might be running too hot. Am I crazy here? Or do I possibly have a problem I should look into?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
From: Walton KY
You are in the normal range. My 94 6speed will hit 230 in traffic on a 85 degree day. If I start it and go right to the highway my temps stay around 190. If I get in traffic and get it up to 230 and get back on the e-way the temp will come back down to 200 and stay there for 15 miles. Have you flushed your cooling system? Checked for crap in your radiator?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 35
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From: Novi Mi
I know the previous owner put a 180 degree thermostat in, so maybe that's why I expected lower temps.
I should check for stuff blocking hte radiator. I know c4's are famous for sucking stuff up there. But I also hear it's a pain to check and clean.
I should check for stuff blocking hte radiator. I know c4's are famous for sucking stuff up there. But I also hear it's a pain to check and clean.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 8,683
Likes: 6
From: Phoenix AZ
Your temps are good, nothing to worry about. You can of course take a look and see if there is any debris caught in the radiator...certianly won't hurt! I did notice mine was running hotter recently and when I got under the car there was a plastic shopping bacg covering almost the entire radiator!! BUt honestly, if you are hitting a max of 220 when sitting in traffic you really have nothing to worry about...come down to Phoenix when it's 115 out and sit in traffic and watch your temps!! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 8,683
Likes: 6
From: Phoenix AZ
Originally Posted by bvs3
so, just out of curiosity, what's the upper coolant temp threshold for the LT1 engine?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by bvs3
I know the previous owner put a 180 degree thermostat in, so maybe that's why I expected lower temps.
RACE ON!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Your temps are fine!! The stock stat for a 92 is IIRC is a 195 'stat. the temp rating on a thermostat is that tempeature when the 'stat goes fully open. So even if you have a 180 degree stat in the car, temps can go much higher.
Ambient air temps will cause somewhat higher coolant temps, but I wouldn't worry until you see consistent 238-245 temps. Turning the A/C on forces the secondary fan to run and that should lower the coolant temps somewhat. Of course driving in stop and go traffic on a hot day will cause the temps to go up.
The primary fan goes on when the coolant temp hits 228 degrees and goes off when the temps drop 41 degrees.
The secondary fan will come on at around 234 and go off when the temps drop about 41 degrees. If the oil temp goes above 235, the secondary fan starts and goes off when the oil temp drops 36 degrees.
Ambient air temps will cause somewhat higher coolant temps, but I wouldn't worry until you see consistent 238-245 temps. Turning the A/C on forces the secondary fan to run and that should lower the coolant temps somewhat. Of course driving in stop and go traffic on a hot day will cause the temps to go up.
The primary fan goes on when the coolant temp hits 228 degrees and goes off when the temps drop 41 degrees.
The secondary fan will come on at around 234 and go off when the temps drop about 41 degrees. If the oil temp goes above 235, the secondary fan starts and goes off when the oil temp drops 36 degrees.
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Your temps are good. Mine will reach 210 in bumber-to-bumper traffic (no A/C fans engaged) but will quickly settle to the 190 degree range when I get up to crusing speed or sustaind speeds above 45 mph on backroads.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by c4cruiser
Your temps are fine!! The stock stat for a 92 is IIRC is a 195 'stat.
RACE ON!!!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Where's bogus? 
Actually your temps are right in check. You've probably just been reading too much garbage on the forum about 160 degree engines and noticed yours.
If the fans don't drop the temp like a rock, or it heads over 230, then it's time to start scratching your head.
Actually your temps are right in check. You've probably just been reading too much garbage on the forum about 160 degree engines and noticed yours.If the fans don't drop the temp like a rock, or it heads over 230, then it's time to start scratching your head.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 35
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From: Novi Mi
Hmm... turning AC on actually makes my temps rise quite a bit. I was running a steady 216 or so on an 80 mile drive (freeway) on friday. Which is MUCH higher than it normally runs.
I'll probably try the get the radiator cleaned when I store it this winter.
I'll probably try the get the radiator cleaned when I store it this winter.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Greensboro North Carolina
My 92 runs around 210 in traffic, however when you get it moving in traffic instead of stop and go traffic it settles in around 190 or so. It ran 234 once when i 
too got a plastic bag stuck on my radiator
too got a plastic bag stuck on my radiator
