Temperature Shock
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 151
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From: Santa Rosa CA
Temperature Shock
I was in stop and go traffic today on the freeway with the ambient air temp in the mid 70's. I have been in the habit of checking the oil and coolant temp every few minutes because I suspect the car is running hotter than normal...
What I saw was the oil temp at 242 degrees, and the coolant at 219 degrees :eek:
My car is completely stock (unitil it goes on blocks next week), but is anyone else seeing temperatures this high for a completely stock car??
What I saw was the oil temp at 242 degrees, and the coolant at 219 degrees :eek:
My car is completely stock (unitil it goes on blocks next week), but is anyone else seeing temperatures this high for a completely stock car??
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,631
Likes: 2
From: Clever, MO aka SOMO
Re: Temperature Shock (shamvette)
Hey Jeff,
Don't be too alarmed, okay? My '88 water temp. will hit 228-230 in very slow traffice, then the fans kick on and cool everything down quickly to around 200-210. Oil temp can go alot higher before you have to worry, around 260. You'll find this same information in a service manual.
Since our Vettes are "bottom feeders" (meaning the radiator air has to be sucked up from below the nose of the car) we have to keep them moving to get air in for normal cooling, or else the fans will kick in to help. Nice system if everything functions properly. So far mine has. I just turned 157,350 miles and my car runs perfectly and is in great shape.
Good Luck!
:)
[Modified by fixvet, 5:21 PM 5/3/2002]
Don't be too alarmed, okay? My '88 water temp. will hit 228-230 in very slow traffice, then the fans kick on and cool everything down quickly to around 200-210. Oil temp can go alot higher before you have to worry, around 260. You'll find this same information in a service manual.
Since our Vettes are "bottom feeders" (meaning the radiator air has to be sucked up from below the nose of the car) we have to keep them moving to get air in for normal cooling, or else the fans will kick in to help. Nice system if everything functions properly. So far mine has. I just turned 157,350 miles and my car runs perfectly and is in great shape.
Good Luck!
:)
[Modified by fixvet, 5:21 PM 5/3/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
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Re: Temperature Shock (shamvette)
When I picked up my '88 2yrs ago, with a stock cooling system, I did.
Now I run a 160 deg stat and fan sw. in 70s weather it hovers around 155-160deg with oil about 15deg higher. In high 90s weather it will get up to 175 coolant.
I just dropped the intake base back on this afternoon. When tidying up the valley, I noticed that the oil in there was dark but not a hint of sludge.
You might want to consider a 160 or 170 deg stat with fan sw to drop those temps a little.
Now I run a 160 deg stat and fan sw. in 70s weather it hovers around 155-160deg with oil about 15deg higher. In high 90s weather it will get up to 175 coolant.
I just dropped the intake base back on this afternoon. When tidying up the valley, I noticed that the oil in there was dark but not a hint of sludge.
You might want to consider a 160 or 170 deg stat with fan sw to drop those temps a little.
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From: Almost all Skyline Cruises Vettes at Waterside 1-5
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Re: Temperature Shock (65Z01)
:cheers: Sort of a "DITTO"
I run a 180 thermo, and pull my radiator once a year to clean it out.
At speed, with air temp up to 90 deg, I run around 176 water and 196 oil
I run 20-50 synthetic
As i am sure you have read, pulling the radiator and cleaning is very important to keep these cars cool.
But you have to pull the rad
:seeya
I run a 180 thermo, and pull my radiator once a year to clean it out.
At speed, with air temp up to 90 deg, I run around 176 water and 196 oil
I run 20-50 synthetic
As i am sure you have read, pulling the radiator and cleaning is very important to keep these cars cool.
But you have to pull the rad
:seeya
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Santa Rosa CA
Re: Temperature Shock
Thanks for the tips... I'm going for an all-out rebuild in a week or so. Although I'm starting at the rear end, from everything I have read on the Forum, a thorough radiator cleaning is on its way as well. Also, it sounds like most everyone is running the 160, 170 or 180 deg stat.... Why three to choose from?
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 42
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From: Pasadena TX
Re: Temperature Shock (fixvet)
Same problem for me. My 1990 is completely stock and was in stop in go traffic with the temps at 92-95 outside. With the A/C off the temps were probably at 240-245 and would not come down until i started moving. If I had the A/C on it would of definatly overheated. 150k miles on it, I had the radiator fluid changed out around a year ago, will probably do it again this year. Is there any way I can clean out the radiator fins without having to drain and take it out?
