96 LT4 cooling issues
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
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96 LT4 cooling issues
My 96 LT4 runs extremely hot to me! On an 82 degree day my car hits 230 in traffic!! Some will reply that it is normal, but, when I get out of the car and smell hot coolant, it is too hot!!! I am going with at least a two row or possibly a three row radiator soon!! I guess my question is what can be done on a 96 to bring the fans on at a lower temp??? I know I will get 100 replies saying this is normal, but, would much prefer answers to my question!!! Thanks for any help provided!!!!!!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
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From: Slidell Louisiana
Tuner cat, CATS tuner, etc will allow you to program the fans too.
Mike
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 151
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I have the two volume set but it takes forever to find a particular thing in it. The only thing I have to compare it to is my Harley-Davidson service manual. It truly does show EVERYTHING in an easy to follow format. Have already got the number for a nationally known tuner. I will be calling them Monday morning! And I feel I must apologize to the respondents to my thread. I did not mean to come across as a smart ***. This Corvette I own has got to be the most frustrating car ever!! LOL
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Cooling is not rocket science. To cool the engine, there must be air flow, and coolant flow. Restrict one, or both, you will have a heating problem.
Before buying anything, go through some simple checks.......
1. Sufficient coolant in the system at start-up.
2. Airflow through the radiator must be clear.... no debris (leaves, plastic bags, etc.)
3. Fans must activate as programmed (primary 226F, secondary 235F)
4. A closed system must be 'closed'.... no leaks in the hoses, especially in the rad cap gasket.
5. When was the coolant last drained from the engine by removing the knock sensors? "Dirty" coolant can add 6-7 deg to the temp.
6. Activating both fans at the lower temp is a simple wiring task.
Before buying anything, go through some simple checks.......
1. Sufficient coolant in the system at start-up.
2. Airflow through the radiator must be clear.... no debris (leaves, plastic bags, etc.)
3. Fans must activate as programmed (primary 226F, secondary 235F)
4. A closed system must be 'closed'.... no leaks in the hoses, especially in the rad cap gasket.
5. When was the coolant last drained from the engine by removing the knock sensors? "Dirty" coolant can add 6-7 deg to the temp.
6. Activating both fans at the lower temp is a simple wiring task.
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Cooling is not rocket science. To cool the engine, there must be air flow, and coolant flow. Restrict one, or both, you will have a heating problem.
Before buying anything, go through some simple checks.......
1. Sufficient coolant in the system at start-up.
2. Airflow through the radiator must be clear.... no debris (leaves, plastic bags, etc.)
3. Fans must activate as programmed (primary 226F, secondary 235F)
His '96 works a little different than that.
4. A closed system must be 'closed'.... no leaks in the hoses, especially in the rad cap gasket.
5. When was the coolant last drained from the engine by removing the knock sensors? "Dirty" coolant can add 6-7 deg to the temp.
6. Activating both fans at the lower temp is a simple wiring task.
Before buying anything, go through some simple checks.......
1. Sufficient coolant in the system at start-up.
2. Airflow through the radiator must be clear.... no debris (leaves, plastic bags, etc.)
3. Fans must activate as programmed (primary 226F, secondary 235F)
His '96 works a little different than that.
4. A closed system must be 'closed'.... no leaks in the hoses, especially in the rad cap gasket.
5. When was the coolant last drained from the engine by removing the knock sensors? "Dirty" coolant can add 6-7 deg to the temp.
6. Activating both fans at the lower temp is a simple wiring task.
But he seems to not like the way the factory designed it to work.
If he wants to change it, he will need to modify the cooling system.
While sitting still (with no air moving across the radiator), the fans will have to be re-programmed if you want cooler temps than the factory designed.
1996 factory fan settings:
The PCM will command low speed fans ON at
104°C (219°F) and OFF at 98°C (207°F) and, high
speed fans ON at 109°C (228°F) and OFF at 103°C (214°F)
Note: On the '96, both fans run together (either low or high).
Also, Running the A/C will cause the fans to run.
With that said, there is absolutely no damage being done at those settings.
A car with a cooling system in good condition will sit and idle at 214°F - 235°F all day long.
For a modern cooling system (good clean radiator with no restrictions, and with the proper coolant mix and pressure), 235°F is not that hot.
The coolant boiling point is close to 260°F
My factory stock '96 with just over 123k miles is still running just fine.
I have sat in bumper to bumper traffic for hours in over 100°F heat.
The car will idle between 220°F - 230°F without any issues and has never overheated.