94 running hot
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Parkville Missouri
94 running hot
My friend has a 94 auto. Stock as far as I know. In the summer when he first got it I immediately noticed it ran st about 188. Where my 92 manual runs about 214. I though maybe he had a 160 t stat or something.
But the problem, he came to me today saying it got to 260, analog gauge. So I watched it warm up to 223 and no cooling fan so I got nervous and shut it off. With a tech two I can command the fans in, the water pump has good flow at the reservoir. It was 44 degrees today.
It only gets hot sitting still. So what I'm waning to know is what you think, what temp the fans should come on, and the part number for a 160 t stat incase it needs one?
Thanks
But the problem, he came to me today saying it got to 260, analog gauge. So I watched it warm up to 223 and no cooling fan so I got nervous and shut it off. With a tech two I can command the fans in, the water pump has good flow at the reservoir. It was 44 degrees today.
It only gets hot sitting still. So what I'm waning to know is what you think, what temp the fans should come on, and the part number for a 160 t stat incase it needs one?
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
My friend has a 94 auto. Stock as far as I know. In the summer when he first got it I immediately noticed it ran st about 188. Where my 92 manual runs about 214. I though maybe he had a 160 t stat or something.
But the problem, he came to me today saying it got to 260, analog gauge. So I watched it warm up to 223 and no cooling fan so I got nervous and shut it off. With a tech two I can command the fans in, the water pump has good flow at the reservoir. It was 44 degrees today.
It only gets hot sitting still. So what I'm waning to know is what you think, what temp the fans should come on, and the part number for a 160 t stat incase it needs one?
Thanks
But the problem, he came to me today saying it got to 260, analog gauge. So I watched it warm up to 223 and no cooling fan so I got nervous and shut it off. With a tech two I can command the fans in, the water pump has good flow at the reservoir. It was 44 degrees today.
It only gets hot sitting still. So what I'm waning to know is what you think, what temp the fans should come on, and the part number for a 160 t stat incase it needs one?
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,752
Likes: 190
From: Indiana PA
Primary fan isn't on till 228. Stock t-stat is 180. Sounds like it is just fine.
The gauges are NOT linear devices. Use the digital for accuracy.
Yours may run hotter do to junk build up in system, crap on radiator/condenser, old coolant, worn water pump, etc....
The gauges are NOT linear devices. Use the digital for accuracy.
Yours may run hotter do to junk build up in system, crap on radiator/condenser, old coolant, worn water pump, etc....
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: baltimore ohio
I have 94 reprogrammed by pcmforless. The pri comes on@185, sec@190-195. I have a 160 stat. My car never goes above 190 in stopped traffic. Before the mods, I would see 230-240 in traffic. It works, no codes or problems. Cost was around 200-250$
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 888
Likes: 4
From: Ridgecrest Ca
I had the same problem with my 90. The radiator was all clogged up now it barely reaches 220 in stop and go traffic at over 100 degrees. Over 20 years of crap that the POs never cleaned out. I haven't heard the fans in over 6 months.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 7
From: 1994 LT1 Coupe 6-speed with FX3 & 2000 LS1 Vert 6-Speed with F45 Hunterdon County, NJ
My friend has a 94 auto. Stock as far as I know. In the summer when he first got it I immediately noticed it ran st about 188. Where my 92 manual runs about 214. I though maybe he had a 160 t stat or something.
But the problem, he came to me today saying it got to 260, analog gauge. So I watched it warm up to 223 and no cooling fan so I got nervous and shut it off. With a tech two I can command the fans in, the water pump has good flow at the reservoir. It was 44 degrees today.
It only gets hot sitting still. So what I'm waning to know is what you think, what temp the fans should come on, and the part number for a 160 t stat incase it needs one?
Thanks
But the problem, he came to me today saying it got to 260, analog gauge. So I watched it warm up to 223 and no cooling fan so I got nervous and shut it off. With a tech two I can command the fans in, the water pump has good flow at the reservoir. It was 44 degrees today.
It only gets hot sitting still. So what I'm waning to know is what you think, what temp the fans should come on, and the part number for a 160 t stat incase it needs one?
Thanks
assuming the thermostat has not failed mechanically, the analog gauge temps do align with the digital temps, albeit the analog is typically about 10 degrees warmer throughout the range.
The thermostat can fail mechanically in that the lower portion of the thermostat which controls the recirculation of coolant within the engine
can separate from the upper (normal) part of the thermostat (happened to me on 94). This does cause a much larger difference between the digital and analog guages.
Generally 94 should run at 194-197 while driving, but can go to 230 at a long light -- unless turn on the A/C (which most of us do).
btw, your 92 sounds like IT is running too hot, suggest checking between radiator and A/C Condensor and in front of A/C Condensor. If clean, you should have the LT1 engine and thereby the 180 thermostat, suggest replacing your thermostat (e.g. ACDelco 131-100).
