How Hot is Hot ????
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Rochester MI
How Hot is Hot ????
My 1994 stock LT1 is running around 230F in stop and go traffic, it cools to around 200F once things get moving. Do I have a problem or am I :cry over nothing? I am planning on replacing the hoses and thermostat next spring, just because I think they are original. Could it be a Tstat problem, do they get lazy when they get old and not open fully :confused:
I've read through every cooling thread I could find, and it seems like I shouldn't be concerned as others report operating temps like mine, but I have had the car for 3 summers and never had this issue in the past.
[Modified by maize, 1:25 PM 9/25/2003] [IMG][/IMG]
[Modified by maize, 1:25 PM 9/25/2003]
I've read through every cooling thread I could find, and it seems like I shouldn't be concerned as others report operating temps like mine, but I have had the car for 3 summers and never had this issue in the past.
[Modified by maize, 1:25 PM 9/25/2003] [IMG][/IMG]
[Modified by maize, 1:25 PM 9/25/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: How Hot is Hot ???? (maize)
check to make sure there is no debris in the radiator intake. That's the hole under the front bumper. You live in a land of many trees, which means it is also a land of many leaves....
A stuck, or slow, t-stat will cause this, too.
A stuck, or slow, t-stat will cause this, too.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: How Hot is Hot ???? (bogus)
Dont ever let it get over 260 in street driving.
Check to see that the stat is opening at 180. Your coolant temps should hold there momentarily, drop some, and then go back up over 180.
If its opening, then there may be an air bubble in the system from the flush, so check that too.
Then if its still running hot, remove the radiator shroud and clean the debris out that sits between the radiator and condensor.
Check to see that the stat is opening at 180. Your coolant temps should hold there momentarily, drop some, and then go back up over 180.
If its opening, then there may be an air bubble in the system from the flush, so check that too.
Then if its still running hot, remove the radiator shroud and clean the debris out that sits between the radiator and condensor.
Bench Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,201
Likes: 15
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
St. Jude '03 thru 14,'25
Re: How Hot is Hot ???? (maize)
Is it the analog or digital guage that's telling you the temp is 230? My analog was telling me that the car was running at 240 in traffic sometimes and I was flipping out. Then I read on the Forum that the analog guage was notorious for being inaccurate. The next time the temp ran up I checked the digital (I honestly had forgotten I even had it :bb ) and sure enough, it was showing 205 while the analog displayed 235....
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 0
From: Chino Valley AZ
Re: How Hot is Hot ???? (maize)
How do you check for bubbles in the system?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Re: How Hot is Hot ???? (maize)
I'd say that's about right actually. I'm in Texas and hot days the thing would get VERY high on the temp guage in traffic. I bought a new thermostat (160 but no programming for fans yet), and a Meziere water pump and it did wonders. At first I noticed no change, but now it still gets hot, but give it a minute and the thing will drop 20-30 degrees in no time at all.
Good luck :cheers:
Good luck :cheers:
Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 586
Likes: 0
From: Schmuckville SA
Re: How Hot is Hot ???? (maize)
Make sure you water/coolant combo hasnt changed in the last few years either..
If you've added only water to top off, it's possible that the coolant's effectiveness
may have been effected. My 85 runs 190ish on the highway and in stop and go
traffic, about 215-220. Thats with a stock 195 thermo. Dont think youre too
far off, just stay on top of it..At work, back to sleep...
' :sleep: '
Cheers!
If you've added only water to top off, it's possible that the coolant's effectiveness
may have been effected. My 85 runs 190ish on the highway and in stop and go
traffic, about 215-220. Thats with a stock 195 thermo. Dont think youre too
far off, just stay on top of it..At work, back to sleep...
' :sleep: '
Cheers!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 1
Re: How Hot is Hot ???? (BowTieBlood)
I've seen my car go up to 232 or 233 MAX, a few times.. I really mean a few times, because normaly its doesn't go past 215.
I got up there wile driving stop and go trafice and it was HOT outside, really hot.
Do any of you guys know around what temp the fan turns on? and is this coolant temp? or oil temp?
I got up there wile driving stop and go trafice and it was HOT outside, really hot.
Do any of you guys know around what temp the fan turns on? and is this coolant temp? or oil temp?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 586
Likes: 0
From: Schmuckville SA
Re: How Hot is Hot ???? (maize)
Fans turn on somewhere around 230 F. I believe that is coolant, not oil temp.
It's funny I thought I had an issue when I bought my Vette and didnt see fans
kick in until 230 or so... But there it is in the manual..
It's funny I thought I had an issue when I bought my Vette and didnt see fans
kick in until 230 or so... But there it is in the manual..
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 0
From: Yakima WA
Re: How Hot is Hot ???? (maize)
My 86 Vette has been up to 232 oil temp max. On 100 degree days. Coolant runs between 180-225 or so. I have flushed radiator, changed oil, etc. 180 degree stat in, no fan switch though. I think up to these temps, the L98's anyways are okay.
I too want to know how to check for bubbles? Can I just take off the coolant cap & run the engine?
I too want to know how to check for bubbles? Can I just take off the coolant cap & run the engine?
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, Florida, USA fl
Re: How Hot is Hot ???? (maize)
Try hosing down the face of the radiator, by inserting a high pressure nossle from a garden hose
in the slot under the hood on the passenger side between the AC condenser and the radiator. You probably have a build up that is impeding airflow- most people get good results from this simple procedure.
in the slot under the hood on the passenger side between the AC condenser and the radiator. You probably have a build up that is impeding airflow- most people get good results from this simple procedure.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: How Hot is Hot ???? (David Joseph)
To burp the system, you take off the radiator cap and let her get warm, above thermostat temp. Then add coolant keeping the radiator full.
Stock stat temp in 85-91 is 195F
92-96 came with 180F
Stock stat temp in 85-91 is 195F
92-96 came with 180F
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Re: How Hot is Hot ???? (David Joseph)
Try hosing down the face of the radiator, by inserting a high pressure nossle from a garden hose
in the slot under the hood on the passenger side between the AC condenser and the radiator. You probably have a build up that is impeding airflow- most people get good results from this simple procedure.
in the slot under the hood on the passenger side between the AC condenser and the radiator. You probably have a build up that is impeding airflow- most people get good results from this simple procedure.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Rochester MI
Re: How Hot is Hot ???? (BowTieBlood)
I took some data regarding fan on/off last night. Ambient temp around 55F. I just started it and let it idel in the drive.
With A/C off, No fan until 228F fan turns on and temp starts down. fan turns off around 210F.
No right fan with A/C off (of course the temp never got above 228F so I don't know if there is a point at wich the computer turns the right fan on with no AC)
With A/C on you get the right fan on and the temp stays around 210F. Right fan turns off with a/c off regardless of temp (under 228)
I then took it for a drive ... 55mph 5th 194F, in 6th 196F.
What do you guys think ??
With A/C off, No fan until 228F fan turns on and temp starts down. fan turns off around 210F.
No right fan with A/C off (of course the temp never got above 228F so I don't know if there is a point at wich the computer turns the right fan on with no AC)
With A/C on you get the right fan on and the temp stays around 210F. Right fan turns off with a/c off regardless of temp (under 228)
I then took it for a drive ... 55mph 5th 194F, in 6th 196F.
What do you guys think ??
Advanced
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
Re: How Hot is Hot ???? (maize)
My 94 runs 200-215 in stop and go and 194-5 other times. From what I have read, this is within standards. By the way, after I got my car I gave the VIN to a chevy dealer to check it out. I learned that GM had issued Campaign Number 94018 "Left Rear Engine Wiring Harness", but no action had been taken on my car. Did your 94 get this work done? If so, what is ? (I'm told GM does the work free).
Thanks
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 6
From: NS
Re: How Hot is Hot ???? (maize)
My 1994 stock LT1 is running around 230F in stop and go traffic, it cools to around 200F once things get moving.
If you leave the A/C on the fans will run all the time and keep the engine temp more constant (and lower).
I didn't like it either so I flashed my PCM and set the fan temps around 200-210. Much better now.
:cheers: