Been running high temp today
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver WA
Been running high temp today
Today, being close to 100 degrees outside, my temp was around 235 +/- 5.
I've never seen the temps go up this high before and usually my primary fan would kick on at 220 instead of 230 something. I know these Vettes can operate on hot, but something about 239 degrees doesn't look comforting.
Also I never seen the Beast go past 225ish, this is what has me worried.
Oh and by the way... has the wave been banished in Washington/Oregon? Out of 20 Vettes only 3 will wave or acknowledge. :seeya
I've never seen the temps go up this high before and usually my primary fan would kick on at 220 instead of 230 something. I know these Vettes can operate on hot, but something about 239 degrees doesn't look comforting.
Also I never seen the Beast go past 225ish, this is what has me worried.
Oh and by the way... has the wave been banished in Washington/Oregon? Out of 20 Vettes only 3 will wave or acknowledge. :seeya
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 401
Likes: 1
From: Aptos CA
Re: Been running high temp today (87Beast)
More detail, please. Were you idling. hotrodding, or just cruisin around? This number, believe it or not is within stock ECM parameters. Because of emissions, they run pretty hot, stock.
If you want it to run cooler:
You can change the water thermostat to a lower temp. (Simple and cheap). You can add another sensor on the driver side of the block to turn on the 2nd fan earlier. Also simple and not too expensive. You can reprogram your ECM to turn the fans on earlier.
If you want it to run cooler:
You can change the water thermostat to a lower temp. (Simple and cheap). You can add another sensor on the driver side of the block to turn on the 2nd fan earlier. Also simple and not too expensive. You can reprogram your ECM to turn the fans on earlier.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Reno NV
Re: Been running high temp today (87Beast)
Well to put things in perspective, yesterday I was driving in Reno which was 102F outside, with the A/C on in my Black on Black 89. I watched as the Atari Coolant Temp gauge kept rising to 248F:eek:, which still didn’t produce a warning indicator:confused:! Now, normally I would have been cringing, but it wasn’t :U Coolant, steaming, or running funky. So I just shut off the A/C, and was soon back to the normal City +/-225F operating Temps.
And yes the Temp Gauge is pretty accurate, because the Oil Temp was 249F. I am relieved that a L98 can tolerate these Temps, but everything in the Engine Bay must have been getting Rotisserized!
I firmly believe the OEM C4 cooling system to be barely adequate at best, GM always has to cut corners somewhere.:mad:mad:mad
:crazy:NanoBrain:crazy:
And yes the Temp Gauge is pretty accurate, because the Oil Temp was 249F. I am relieved that a L98 can tolerate these Temps, but everything in the Engine Bay must have been getting Rotisserized!
I firmly believe the OEM C4 cooling system to be barely adequate at best, GM always has to cut corners somewhere.:mad:mad:mad
:crazy:NanoBrain:crazy:
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver WA
Re: Been running high temp today (NanoBrain)
I installed a 180 stat and my new aux fan switch turns on around 225 I believe ( it comes on before the primary fan now) and I was just driving around town so I was at idle and low cruising. After I install new FMS injectors and a Holley AFPR, then I'll go for a chip. Like I said before I never seen the temps go over 225 F before. Well at least I'm still in the normal operating zone.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,139
Likes: 1,727
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: Been running high temp today (87Beast)
Your temps dont sound too far off, but check the front of your radiator for debris, and add a bottle of Water Wetter since youre gonna wait for a chip program.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
Likes: 1
From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: Been running high temp today (87Beast)
WaterWetter won't do diddly.
To check the radiator you need to remove it, or a least the shroud.
I think your temps are normal and fine for the circumstance.
Heck, of course you never saw that temp it never gets over 80 where you are (or at least not for more then 10 minutes at a time). :jester
When you have time, pull the radiator and clean everything up in there. Good time to flush the coolant, replace the thermostat and hoses. Do a nice flush and replace the coolant.
All will be well.
If you then deceide you need to lower the coolant temp, you have to control the fan. Cheapest way is just to use a manual switch to ground the fan relay. Radio Shack, about $3.50 with wire. If you wan't automatic you can get a fan switch sensor for $20.00. If you really wan't to do it right, get somebody to burn a chip for the ecm to control the fan to lower temperatures.
Pete
To check the radiator you need to remove it, or a least the shroud.
I think your temps are normal and fine for the circumstance.
Heck, of course you never saw that temp it never gets over 80 where you are (or at least not for more then 10 minutes at a time). :jester
When you have time, pull the radiator and clean everything up in there. Good time to flush the coolant, replace the thermostat and hoses. Do a nice flush and replace the coolant.
All will be well.
If you then deceide you need to lower the coolant temp, you have to control the fan. Cheapest way is just to use a manual switch to ground the fan relay. Radio Shack, about $3.50 with wire. If you wan't automatic you can get a fan switch sensor for $20.00. If you really wan't to do it right, get somebody to burn a chip for the ecm to control the fan to lower temperatures.
Pete
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 824
Likes: 2
From: Camden SC
Re: Been running high temp today (PeteL)
I'd go simple and cheap first. As stated above, clean out the radiator/condensor area. Any older vette is a good candidate for accomplishing this procedure. Unless you have good air flow, the cooling system will not perform to its maximum potential, no matter what you do. Couple weeks ago, my stock 90, with air temp 96F, 58% humidity, stop light traffic, A/C on, temps were about 1/8 below mid level, and the gauge is accurate. The C4 cooling system has no margin for reduced performance. You must start with good air flow.