Odd temperature problems
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Odd temperature problems
I'm having temperature problems with my car, but oddly enough it's because it's running too cool rather than hot. I realize it's winter and colder, but should I really be able to drive in city traffic without either fans running and my oil temp not hardly going above 170 degrees or running 80 down the interstate without getting over 185 degrees?? Just put the 180 degree thermostat in for the winter so it's not stuck open. I've disconnected the main cooling fan and have the extra one on a manual switch. When I'm moving and the water pump is circulating water, you can tell the heater is working properly but the air is just barely warm. So any ideas on what I could do to help my car run a little bit warmer so i'll have hot heat?? :confused: Oh, and I've got an '85 with the L98
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,316
Likes: 246
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Re: Odd temperature problems (z51spdr)
I have a 160 stat I leave in all year. And my fan temps are lowered to match. The outside temp here averages around the freezing mark. The gauge stays at 160 on the highway and a tad warmer in the city. I get great heat still with this setup.
Your 180 temps should still give you great heat. I would think the problem would be in heat transfer from your heater core.
I'm not to familiar with the heating control operation on these cars but there still has to be a valve controlled. It seems that flow of coolant is being restricted thus not so hot air.
I'm sure someone will chime in and offer some better insight.
Good Luck :cheers:
Your 180 temps should still give you great heat. I would think the problem would be in heat transfer from your heater core.
I'm not to familiar with the heating control operation on these cars but there still has to be a valve controlled. It seems that flow of coolant is being restricted thus not so hot air.
I'm sure someone will chime in and offer some better insight.
Good Luck :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Re: Odd temperature problems (z51spdr)
If you're not getting hot air from the heater with the coolant temps you mention, you may have a heater door that is not opening enough or a restriction in the heater core itself.
I have a 180 stat in my 87 and on cool (40's) days I still see 180-185 temps and the heater works fine. The oil temp might be OK with the cooler air temps and the thermostat you run and if you are just driving in city traffic.
I have a 180 stat in my 87 and on cool (40's) days I still see 180-185 temps and the heater works fine. The oil temp might be OK with the cooler air temps and the thermostat you run and if you are just driving in city traffic.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Ok
Re: Odd temperature problems (z51spdr)
I have the same problem, only worse. My '85 L98 likes to run around 135 to 155 on the highway and rarely gets above 180 in the city with outside temps in the 50-65 degree range. My heater,like yours, isnt very warm. Water circulates in the radiator but I just think its too cool.I thought this was because its a Z51 w/HD Cooling(pusher fan in front of radiator),I wonder if a 195 thermostat would do any good?
Intermediate
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Davis CA
Re: Odd temperature problems (z51spdr)
Just because it is new does not mean that the thermostat is working properly. It is either stuck open or leaking enough coolant past to prevent the car from reaching correct operating temperature. With the 180 stat, you should be running about 185. It should not pass coolant until you reach 180. Of course, most are not perfect. And yes, at idle the temperature must rise unless the coolant is circulating through the radiator. Try a new thermostat and test the old and new stats on the stovetop.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Re: Odd temperature problems (85blkZ51)
85blkZ51,
This sounds like a thermostat failed in the open position.
z51spdr,
Besides the heater control valve, the heater core possibilities, and the air valve, could you have air in the system? Is it really full of coolant? While 180* water isn't really hot enough, it should throw good heat from the heater. Also, unless the ECM has been reprogrammed, ridiculously low, disconnecting fans shouldn't be necessary. Good luck, guys, and...
RACE ON!!!
This sounds like a thermostat failed in the open position.
z51spdr,
Besides the heater control valve, the heater core possibilities, and the air valve, could you have air in the system? Is it really full of coolant? While 180* water isn't really hot enough, it should throw good heat from the heater. Also, unless the ECM has been reprogrammed, ridiculously low, disconnecting fans shouldn't be necessary. Good luck, guys, and...
RACE ON!!!
