'94 LT1, How HOT is Normal
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 193
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From: Jefferson, GA, USA
'94 LT1, How HOT is Normal
Hello all, I just got my first LT1 Vette. I think I am running a little hot. The temp is OK while I am moving, but if I sit in one place for about 3 min., the temp climbs to 240 deg. Is this normal? Heck, its only about 40 deg. outside too.
If not, what is the first thing that I should look to for the culprit?
Thanks everyone.
Mark
If not, what is the first thing that I should look to for the culprit?
Thanks everyone.
Mark
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 19,812
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From: Weirsdale (outside of Ocala) Florida
Re: '94 LT1, How HOT is Normal (Torre)
My car is stock and runs 180 to 190 on the road. But God forbid I get in stop and go, it will go off the gauge. I have had the car in the shop and they tell me it's working fine. I cleaned the radiator fins , changed the fluid, put in water wetter and it still goes way over 247 in stop and go. I guess my next step is to have some place pull the radiator. I tried to get it out and could not get it removed. Besides I'm all thumbs and have a bad heart so working bent over is a real pain.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: Beachwood Oh
Re: '94 LT1, How HOT is Normal (Torre)
They do tend to run hot but yours sems a little high. On the move I am right at 190 but sitting still and I'll see 230. The factory fans don't even come on until 228. I have thought about trying to set it so they come on sooner since I don't like to see 230. THere are several ways out there.
I would be concerned about 240. Definitely clean out your radiator fins and airdam scoop. You would be surprises at the stuff that gets up in there :eek:
[Modified by FRANX C4, 9:45 AM 2/9/2002]
I would be concerned about 240. Definitely clean out your radiator fins and airdam scoop. You would be surprises at the stuff that gets up in there :eek:
[Modified by FRANX C4, 9:45 AM 2/9/2002]
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
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From: Somers NY
Re: '94 LT1, How HOT is Normal (Torre)
Hello all, I just got my first LT1 Vette. I think I am running a little hot. The temp is OK while I am moving, but if I sit in one place for about 3 min., the temp climbs to 240 deg. Is this normal? Heck, its only about 40 deg. outside too.
If not, what is the first thing that I should look to for the culprit?
Mark
If not, what is the first thing that I should look to for the culprit?
Mark
If that area is clear, I would go to a 160 thermostat, I have one & my car never gets over 185 even in the summer... BUT you WILL need to reprogram your fans to turn on at a lower temp.. or the 160 thermostat will only help while you are on the highway.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,313
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From: providence ut
Re: '94 LT1, How HOT is Normal (Red96Coupe)
I belong to a corvette club and last summer we took a ride to baker nev. to the leman caves, after the cave tour we drove up to see the view at the top of the mountain about 10,500 ft. my 85 was running about 220 so I was concerned so I started comparing notes with the rest of the club. all the c5 were in the 230's and two were 240. we had 16 vets on this trip. it seems that the C5 just run hotter than the C4 and C3
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 28
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From: Minden, Nevada Nv
Re: '94 LT1, How HOT is Normal (Torre)
Hi Mark
I also got my 1st Corvette, a 92 LT1 last summer & experienced the same temperatures you are seeing. After driving Sloooooow in the packed San Francisco stop&go freeways, or sitting(on same freeways) the temp would go right to the edge of the temp gage. No matter what thermostat, the fan does not come on till its way hot.
I found that turning on the A/C automatically turns on a fan & I used that technique to keep temp in what I considered normal. Dumb thing to have to do in a convertible with the top down, as it always is in summer...
I got a chip/thermostat from Ed Wright that is to turn the fan on sooner..Putting this on in next several weeks.
I also got my 1st Corvette, a 92 LT1 last summer & experienced the same temperatures you are seeing. After driving Sloooooow in the packed San Francisco stop&go freeways, or sitting(on same freeways) the temp would go right to the edge of the temp gage. No matter what thermostat, the fan does not come on till its way hot.
I found that turning on the A/C automatically turns on a fan & I used that technique to keep temp in what I considered normal. Dumb thing to have to do in a convertible with the top down, as it always is in summer...
I got a chip/thermostat from Ed Wright that is to turn the fan on sooner..Putting this on in next several weeks.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Jefferson, GA, USA
Re: '94 LT1, How HOT is Normal (micropro_wright)
Wow, some different experiences here. I did notice that the fan does not come on until its hot anyway.
There are some leaves stuck in the radiator but not very many. I'll clean them out and do a radiator flush this weekend.
Do these cars have aluminum heads? That is what I am worried about. Bye, bye head gasket!
There are some leaves stuck in the radiator but not very many. I'll clean them out and do a radiator flush this weekend.
Do these cars have aluminum heads? That is what I am worried about. Bye, bye head gasket!
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Greenfield IN
Re: '94 LT1, How HOT is Normal (Torre)
Mine hovers right around 200. Only saw 240 on the hottest day of summer while in stopped traffic. I would check the coolant level after you get rid of the leaves. Make sure the upper reservoir is full. Good luck with it.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
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From: San Pedro CA
Re: '94 LT1, How HOT is Normal (Torre)
thats hot. make sure the intake is clean. lotsa leaves can get trapped in there... road debris... etc...
also make sure the t-stat is working... change the coolant... gee... thats way too hot...
also make sure the t-stat is working... change the coolant... gee... thats way too hot...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,808
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Re: '94 LT1, How HOT is Normal (Torre)
are the fans coming on? is water flow adequate? how about airflow across radiator.. also proper fluid level..
not for sure on your model, but on my '84 the fan doesn't kick in til 228 degrees..
my car would run a little warm also like yours. i pulled the A/C condensor, to clean out the area between the two. a lot of debris will get pulled up in there just under normal driving conditions.
i noticed an average drop of almost 20 degrees..
not for sure on your model, but on my '84 the fan doesn't kick in til 228 degrees..
my car would run a little warm also like yours. i pulled the A/C condensor, to clean out the area between the two. a lot of debris will get pulled up in there just under normal driving conditions.
i noticed an average drop of almost 20 degrees..
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,524
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From: Pinellas Florida Misfit
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: '94 LT1, How HOT is Normal (mikes84vette)
My 95 has never seen that high.. 230 is about max in stop and go traffic. (and thats down here in FL) highway runs 180 to 190.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 28
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From: Minden, Nevada Nv
Re: '94 LT1, How HOT is Normal (88'Cubka)
>how's the weather out there micro?
Hi 88
As you know, Minden is only 40 mi south of you(Reno)...As it has been snowing some, the Vett is in the grarge for the winter maintance. You a member of the Reno Vett owners or the Lake Tahoe group ??
When I noticed the high temps with the ole Lt1, it was in the 90s. Nothing too extreme. Saw the same temps in the SFO bay area, as I drive there every other week for work.
Hi 88
As you know, Minden is only 40 mi south of you(Reno)...As it has been snowing some, the Vett is in the grarge for the winter maintance. You a member of the Reno Vett owners or the Lake Tahoe group ??
When I noticed the high temps with the ole Lt1, it was in the 90s. Nothing too extreme. Saw the same temps in the SFO bay area, as I drive there every other week for work.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
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From: Dallas TX
Re: '94 LT1, How HOT is Normal (FRANX C4)
With my rebuild, my low around 172, and high is around 205. Obviously the low is with the car moving for a significant amount of time. I haven't cleaned out my radiator yet, but if I did that would probably drop that 205 temp. I would be concerned about 240 degrees too. I hit that once over summer and decided in 105 degree weather that I would suffer for my car and roll down the windows and turn up the heater. That got it down from 242 to around 210. I don't want to get that hot again, so I invested in the 160* t-stat, and I'll be cleaning my radiator out sometime in spring.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 717
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Re: '94 LT1, How HOT is Normal (Torre)
My 94 runs at about 230 max in stop or go traffic here in Los Angeles. Same temp summer or winter. On the freeway (when not jammed with traffic) it runs around 180 - 190, about half way on guage indicator.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
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From: Dallas TX
Re: '94 LT1, How HOT is Normal (ETHYL)
Oh, guys... since I just got done doing a lot of data recording with my tranny, what is a max temp the tranny should see ? (automatic). My max temp was 236. While crusing it was around 220.
