Question On Engine Heat

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Mar 26, 2008 | 04:50 PM

dsimon55

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Feb 2006

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From: Buffalo Grove IL

Question On Engine Heat

I have a stock 85 L98. It seems to run hot.
I replaced the thermostat with a 220 degree.
When just sitting there it seem to go to 240+
The aux fan does come on.
I am going to flush the radiator next.
Is this common? Any ideas what to try next. I would expect it to clime to 220 and thats about all.

Thanks

Dave

Mar 26, 2008 | 04:54 PM

geogolf

Drifting

Joined: Jun 2005

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From: brookville pa.

heat

you should use a 160 or a 180

Mar 26, 2008 | 05:16 PM

kenmohr

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From: NE Ohio

2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

Check in front of radiator for debris. 220* thermostat is too high in my opinion. If the engine continues to heat up after the thermostat is open and the fan is running you need to look at the air flow to the radiator or coolant flow problems.

Mar 26, 2008 | 05:54 PM

vader86

Team Owner

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From: Athens AL

C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021

C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/vad...erheating.html

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/vader86/160.html

First thing to do is to definitely go back to a 195F stat. Read those links to determine if you wish to go 160 or 180, and determine why its overheating.

Mar 26, 2008 | 06:19 PM

El T1

Instructor

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 158

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From: Houston TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by vader86

Wow, great links!

So I take it I don't need to get freaked out if I hit 225-230F sitting in traffic, as that's when the above links claim my fan is programmed to come on in the first place...

Mar 26, 2008 | 06:38 PM

CFI-EFI

Race Director

Joined: Sep 2000

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From: The Top of Utah

Yes! You don't have to get freaked by 225°- 230°. For many model years the auxiliary fan doesn't kick on until over 235°. In 1984 the ONLY fan doesn't come on until 238°. Get nervous at 250° and shut it off at 260°. A 220° thermostat is too high. The stock stat, that many people replace is 195°. For normal, everyday driving a 160° stat is too cool for best engine life, economy and power. Also, as mentioned, these cars (C4s) are bottom feeders. The area between the radiator and the condenser gets filled with road garbage. Especially if you have never done it, you may nor be able to detect the problem without removing the radiator. The junk blocks air flow and often is the cause of running hotter them normal.

RACE ON!!!

Mar 26, 2008 | 07:12 PM

Demonic85

Team Owner

Joined: Feb 2006

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From: sw Ohio

220??

The stock one is a 195. The temps should never go over 232-240, thats when the fans come on.

Mar 26, 2008 | 08:29 PM

El T1

Instructor

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 158

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From: Houston TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by CFI-EFI

Thanks (even though you guys have probably had to answer this dozens of times).

IMO: Visually, the analog water temp. guage in a '95 runs darn close to DANGER right were the fan is programmed to kick on. In my Trailblazer SS (LS2), the needle sits rock-solid on 215F, which is in the middle of the gauge...this visual tidbit was throwing me into a worry (needlessly, apparently).

In the Vette, I've been monitoring the digital readout for a better idea of just where I'm at.

Last edited by El T1; Mar 26, 2008 at 08:31 PM.