Is my LT4 overheating?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 417
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Is my LT4 overheating?
I dont know what the safe temp is but it seems like my car is running wayyyyyy too hot. The temp is normal when im actually moving interstate, city, whatever 150 degrees or so. If I sit though in traffic the temps heats up to about 235-240. Its almost hitting the tact out point...and we all know red means bad. Do I need to do something??? Some days it does it some days it doesnt.
1996 LT4
1996 LT4
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
You should also check for debris between the radiator and condensor,
when I first got my 87 I experienced the same thing-it was full of leaves, a plastic bag, cigarette butts, you name it. We call these C4s-Hoovers, get it? they suck up anything and everything.
when I first got my 87 I experienced the same thing-it was full of leaves, a plastic bag, cigarette butts, you name it. We call these C4s-Hoovers, get it? they suck up anything and everything.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
From: Walton KY
Originally Posted by Achilleus07
I dont know what the safe temp is but it seems like my car is running wayyyyyy too hot. The temp is normal when im actually moving interstate, city, whatever 150 degrees or so. If I sit though in traffic the temps heats up to about 235-240. Its almost hitting the tact out point...and we all know red means bad. Do I need to do something??? Some days it does it some days it doesnt.
1996 LT4
1996 LT4
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
230-235 is about normal when sitting in traffic.
150 on the interstate is about 45 degrees colder than my LT4 runs....I don't think that temp is anywhere near normal for LTx cars.
Larry
code5coupe
150 on the interstate is about 45 degrees colder than my LT4 runs....I don't think that temp is anywhere near normal for LTx cars.
Larry
code5coupe
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
yeah I thought that was running really cool....I mean you can watch the temp just shoot down from when im sitting still to when I start running it fast.....I will check out all the stuff on it. Im already on the thought process of changing the water pump, fan belts, thermostat all that. I guess if 230 is normal I will just keep watching it and make sure it doesnt bust the 245, 250 mark. Thanks guys.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
Originally Posted by Achilleus07
I dont know what the safe temp is but it seems like my car is running wayyyyyy too hot. The temp is normal when im actually moving interstate, city, whatever 150 degrees or so. If I sit though in traffic the temps heats up to about 235-240. Its almost hitting the tact out point...and we all know red means bad. Do I need to do something??? Some days it does it some days it doesnt.
1996 LT4
1996 LT4
Over 230 is way too high.....fans go to high speed at 228 which should be the max you would ever see.....
So as others have said 1) You probably need a new thermostat 2)You possibly have a lot of debris in front of the radiator or 3)Your fans are not functioning properly....not going to high speed/only one fan is operating/etc
You do have a problem..
btw does your digital gauge agree more or less with your analog gauge???? Incorrect reading is possible?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 3
From: Clearwater FL
St. Jude Donor '06
Before I got my fans reprogrammed, the temp would hit 232 before the 2nd fan kicked on and the analog temp needle would be just starting to touch the red zone at this time. This being normal for the car is unacceptable imo. Try turning on the a/c and the 2nd fan will kick on sooner and a computer reprogram will change them permanently if you want to. I just couldn't live with that needle going so high. The general has the motors run so hot to help with emissions.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by Achilleus07
The temp is normal when im actually moving interstate, city, whatever 150 degrees or so.
There's no way you can actually be running a stabilized 150 degrees F.at any time in a stock C4.
Good luck, but I don't think there is actually anything wrong with your car or it's cooling system.
Larry
code5coupe
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
Originally Posted by rocco16
I have a feeling you might be getting this reading from the analog gauge on the dash OR from a MET setting on the digital. If you are using analog, don't try interpolating the values on that gage...they are way off. Use the digital coolant temp (in Fahrenheit) readout and check it again.
There's no way you can actually be running a stabilized 150 degrees F.at any time in a stock C4. Good luck, but I don't think there is actually anything wrong with your car or it's cooling system.
Larry
code5coupe
There's no way you can actually be running a stabilized 150 degrees F.at any time in a stock C4. Good luck, but I don't think there is actually anything wrong with your car or it's cooling system.
Larry
code5coupe
So his 150 could be correct and is symptomatic of either a stuck open or missing thermostat...
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,911
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From: Manassas VA
NoVa Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '14
96 Lt4 owner here.
I see 180 temps on the highway
I see 230 240+ temps sitting in traffic 90+ outside with the AC on.
It's normal. Fans are running...
Btw, 150 is low. There are two sensors. The digital temp display under the digital speedometer comes from the sensor in the water pump. If you are facing the front of the engine the sensor is in the front right side of the water pump. The analog (needle) temp gauge receives a signal from the sensor in the passenger side head. Mine are never the same.
I see 180 temps on the highway
I see 230 240+ temps sitting in traffic 90+ outside with the AC on.
It's normal. Fans are running...
Btw, 150 is low. There are two sensors. The digital temp display under the digital speedometer comes from the sensor in the water pump. If you are facing the front of the engine the sensor is in the front right side of the water pump. The analog (needle) temp gauge receives a signal from the sensor in the passenger side head. Mine are never the same.
Last edited by Bluewasp; Apr 7, 2006 at 11:50 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by Bluewasp
The digital temp display under the digital speedometer comes from the sensor in the water pump. If you are facing the front of the engine the sensor is in the front right side of the water pump. The analog (needle) temp gauge receives a signal from the sensor in the passenger side head. Mine are never the same.
Larry
code5coupe
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,604
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Originally Posted by Bluewasp
96 Lt4 owner here.
I see 180 temps on the highway
I see 230 240+ temps sitting in traffic 90+ outside with the AC on.
It's normal. Fans are running...
I see 180 temps on the highway
I see 230 240+ temps sitting in traffic 90+ outside with the AC on.
It's normal. Fans are running...
Base your coolant temps on the digital reading. I can't imagine that you're seeing sustained temps of 150*F while driving. If that is the case, then you do have a problem.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 417
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I never turn my ac on. It was only 82 degrees outside...and yes I read both the digital and the dials. They are all reading the same thing....im not just reading the digital. I will check the thermostat and radiator and all of that tomorrow. Could it be my water pump? Recently I have had a belt squeaking....is it possible my water pump belt is slipping or something.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 172
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From: Taylors SC
I had the same problem on my T/A. I went the whole gambit with the radiator, 160 stat, Water Wetter, you name it. Until I came across this
http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=3.944 I installed this and the problem ceased. Up until then I was pulling my hair out especially when sitting in N.J. Garden State Parkway bumper to bumper traffic durring rush hour. Now I have them in all my cars and have all my hair. Good luck.
http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=3.944 I installed this and the problem ceased. Up until then I was pulling my hair out especially when sitting in N.J. Garden State Parkway bumper to bumper traffic durring rush hour. Now I have them in all my cars and have all my hair. Good luck.
