Running temp. Question
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
My LT4 just recently started spiking up in temperatures regardless of the temp outside. For e.g. on the way to work today (40 F), the temp ran up to pretty close to the 240 hash marks. Should it be getting THAT hot? Surprisingly, it was mostly highway driving (5-6 miles total trip) and there wasn't any traffic. I parked soon after I noticed the temp, so I don't know if the fan would have kicked in and cooled things down. I'm concerned it will overheat if I need to drive longer. What do you guys think the problem is? I'll check for radiator debris tonight when I get home. Think I've got a bad thermostat or a fan issue?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,771
Likes: 177
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
My LT4 just recently started spiking up in temperatures regardless of the temp outside. For e.g. on the way to work today (40 F), the temp ran up to pretty close to the 240 hash marks. Should it be getting THAT hot? Surprisingly, it was mostly highway driving (5-6 miles total trip) and there wasn't any traffic. I parked soon after I noticed the temp, so I don't know if the fan would have kicked in and cooled things down. I'm concerned it will overheat if I need to drive longer. What do you guys think the problem is? I'll check for radiator debris tonight when I get home. Think I've got a bad thermostat or a fan issue?
Sounds like either an airflow blockage, or it could be a restriction in the water flow somewhere. Check airflow blockage first.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
I checked the radiator for debris and didn't see anything. What I noticed on my ride home yesterday was that the car got hot (toward 260 hash marks) during city driving (lights, slow moving traffic), but was able to cool down a bit relatively soon. Once I got on the highway, the temp is reading just over the 185 indicator. Oil temp and pressure seemed normal the whole time. Should it really be getting that hot during city driving? Seems a bit much, but since my other cars (Maxima, Odyssey) don't have numbered temp gauges, I don't have a basis for comparison.
