what is normal operating temp?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 20
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what is normal operating temp?
i have a stock 85, the guy i bought the car from has wiring rigged to manually turn on the fan. i was going to look at the temp sending unit in the block, as im sure its an easy fix he just didnt feel like messing with. My question is at what temp should the fan come on? I was lookin through the repair manual, and its talking about the fan kicking on at 225-240. I have never ran a vehicle at more than 200. i would think thats well into overheating range, should it not be more like 180? 
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
No, not 180 or 200. Trust the manual.
These cars run hot because it aides in the emissions process. Kindofa carbon incinerator.
Not to mention the bottom-feeding air intake.
These cars run hot because it aides in the emissions process. Kindofa carbon incinerator.
Not to mention the bottom-feeding air intake.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,151
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From: Strongsville Ohio
welcome to corvettes...In my 94, first fan turns on at 228 then the second at 230 something...ITS IS NORMAL...while driving on the highway in hot weather, I am at 198...cool weather 194...sitting in traffic...starts at 201 and climbs FAST till the fans turn on.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
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From: Merritt Ils Fl
O.K., I'll go first:
Welcome to the forum, you'll make a lot of friends here as well as learning much and more about your car.
Second, learn to use the Search function. Temps have been flogged more than you can ever dream.
Welcome to the forum, you'll make a lot of friends here as well as learning much and more about your car.
Second, learn to use the Search function. Temps have been flogged more than you can ever dream.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Normal coolant temp is 195 when underway and stopped, the main fan comes on at 228 and the auxilliary fan (if you have one) comes on at 238. Usually if you sit long enough for the main fan to come on, you will see the coolant temp fall to 210 the fan will turn off and the temp will rise again to 228 and the main fan will come on and it will continue to cycle. Worry warts put manual switches, lower temp thermostats (worthless) but the only thing you should be concerned with is if the temp gets to 260 F and your manual says you should shut the engine off and let it cool down. None of the above temps will do any harm to anything in your engine. GM says to shut the engine off at 260 because 50% antifreeze at 15 psi boils at 265 F and boiling antifreeze is a very poor coolant and you could get head damage if you keep driving. You will never see 260!
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13
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I've seen 260 on my '95 Corvette...and when it hits that temp, my air conditioning shuts down until the temp goes down. It could be 55 degrees outside and I'm on the freeway and the temp will be about 240-245...I guess that's normal from what I'm reading, but on a hot day, if I don't keep driving, the temp goes to 260 degrees. I had my fans checked out and all go on when they're suppose to...kind of driving me nuts since I don't want to blow a head gasket. Any suggestions???
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
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I've seen 260 on my '95 Corvette...and when it hits that temp, my air conditioning shuts down until the temp goes down. It could be 55 degrees outside and I'm on the freeway and the temp will be about 240-245...I guess that's normal from what I'm reading, but on a hot day, if I don't keep driving, the temp goes to 260 degrees. I had my fans checked out and all go on when they're suppose to...kind of driving me nuts since I don't want to blow a head gasket. Any suggestions???
Are you basing your temp readings on the analog temp gauge?
260 would only be if the needle is completely pegged up against the gauge stop.
The gauge does not have a linear scale, so it next to impossible to tell what the exact temp reading is.
As long as the needle isn't into the shaded area on the gauge, it's not over heating.
What does your digital temp gauge read?
If your digital gauge reads 240-245 while moving down the freeway, then you have a cooling problem (either blocked airflow across the radiator, or blockage in the coolant flow).
Normal temps for the digital gauge would be in the 192-200 range while moving at any speed over 35mph.
While stopped at idle for any length of time, the temp be in the 210-230 range.
Use the digital temp gauge, that analog gauge will just scare you.
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