1994 LT1 Temperatures
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3
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1994 LT1 Temperatures
i just bought a 94 corvette last week and i noticed that in mild traffic that my temperature is maxed out at 260 degrees but once i start moving again of course it cools down. the outside temperature was around 70 so it wasnt too hot. is it normal to be at such a high temp?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
Your left hand cooling fan should come on with the A/C of at 228*. The right side fan comes on at 238*. That is pretty hot also which many people do not like either. If you blow thru 240* (digital), jump out and see if both fans are operating.
In addition to the first post, look for debris in front of the condenser and in front of the radiator also.
You can have anything from poor air flow, bad thermostat or a clogged radiator .
In addition to the first post, look for debris in front of the condenser and in front of the radiator also.
You can have anything from poor air flow, bad thermostat or a clogged radiator .
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,770
Likes: 175
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Your left hand cooling fan should come on with the A/C of at 228*. The right side fan comes on at 238*. That is pretty hot also which many people do not like either. If you blow thru 240* (digital), jump out and see if both fans are operating.
In addition to the first post, look for debris in front of the condenser and in front of the radiator also.
You can have anything from poor air flow, bad thermostat or a clogged radiator .
In addition to the first post, look for debris in front of the condenser and in front of the radiator also.
You can have anything from poor air flow, bad thermostat or a clogged radiator .
Saying maxed out at 260 degrees, leads me to believe that reading is coming from the analog temp. gauge.
Are you sure it is really "maxed out"?
Look closely at that gauge, and you will notice a little shaded area at the upper end of the scale.
Is the needle actually in that shaded area, or just at the edge?
Unless the needle is pegged up against the stop, your temp reading isn't maxed at 260.
What does your digital temp gauge read?
As mentioned, the cooling fans don't come on until the digital reading is at 228°F (or with the A/C on).
At that temp, that analog gauge needle will be just short of the shaded area.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
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yeah i read it from the analog gauge, i didnt check the digital one. yes the needle is in the shaded area. i am going to take a closer look at the operational status of the fans and check for debris near the radiator. after i take a look at that stuff i think my next step will be a coolant flush and a new lower temp thermostat. thanks for the info.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 50
From: Palmdale CA
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 16,487
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From: USA. Northern Virginia
Way too hot,
check the rad for dirty/clogged cooling fins. You should also check the coolant and see how fresh it is and flush out the system.
My 94 temps sit at 204 in traffic with the A/C on high. Thats with a clean rad and fresh coolant
check the rad for dirty/clogged cooling fins. You should also check the coolant and see how fresh it is and flush out the system. My 94 temps sit at 204 in traffic with the A/C on high. Thats with a clean rad and fresh coolant
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,770
Likes: 175
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
But, until he lets us know what the digital gauge was reading we don't know if his car is actually running that hot or not.
We have seen countless new Vette owners come in hear and tell us 260, only to find out that the digital gauge was in the 225-230 range (which is normal when not moving, and the A/C is off)
That analog temp gauge does not have a linear scale.
So, it is next to impossible to tell exactly what temp it is reading.
When the digital gauge reads 228-230, the needle on the analog gauge can be very close to the shaded area on the dial (but not into the shaded area).
260°F would actually be if the needle was pegged up against the stop.
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Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
there was only like 5 leaves and some small stuff stuck near the bottom of the radiator, i cleaned the crap out real well and went for a spin. the temp did reach 239 on the digital in very light traffic and about 72 degrees outside, i didnt get a chance to hop out and see if the right fan was running. i bought a new thermostat and coolant. im going to flush the system out because i have no record of when it was done last; and a new thermostat wouldnt hurt either. i know the left fan comes on when i turn the ac on but i havent seen the right fan on yet. im going to energize the relay for the fan to see of it comes on. i have flushed coolant many times on other chevy V8s and had no issues. however, i know how bitchy the optispark is on these LT1s and i am kinda worried about getting even a drop of water on it. i guess i have to be extra careful and pack the **** out of the thermostat housing/ waterpump area with rags to prevent any water whatsoever from getting to the optispark.
