help on coolant temp
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
There are a number of things you don't say.
1. What is the outside temperature
2. Is the A/C on or off?
3. What is in the rad? staight water, 50/50 mix, waterwetter
4. What condition is the cooling system in? recently flushed? known to have no trash plugging the rad?
Generally the car should run 190-220 all things being normal
In hot weather 90+ with the A/C on and idling in traffic you should see that top end.
Criusing on the highway you should see the bottom end.
1. What is the outside temperature
2. Is the A/C on or off?
3. What is in the rad? staight water, 50/50 mix, waterwetter
4. What condition is the cooling system in? recently flushed? known to have no trash plugging the rad?
Generally the car should run 190-220 all things being normal
In hot weather 90+ with the A/C on and idling in traffic you should see that top end.
Criusing on the highway you should see the bottom end.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
1986 temperature
Hello,
With my 86 the gauge reads 225 degrees most of the time. It has me worried at times, but it never goes above that. When I am driving at night, it will sometimes stay around 190 degrees.
But with the outside temperature in the 80s, sitting in traffic with the A/C on, it will climb to 225, then go down to 218, then back to 225. I guess this is as the thermostat opens up at the 220 or 225 temp.
kdf1986
With my 86 the gauge reads 225 degrees most of the time. It has me worried at times, but it never goes above that. When I am driving at night, it will sometimes stay around 190 degrees.
But with the outside temperature in the 80s, sitting in traffic with the A/C on, it will climb to 225, then go down to 218, then back to 225. I guess this is as the thermostat opens up at the 220 or 225 temp.
kdf1986
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Morgantown WV
My suggestion to you is that you get ahold of forum member TJwong and have him burn you a custom chip. It was the best investment I've made yet. The fans don't turn on until the temperature get's over 225. That is normal although too hot for me. From what I've read it is GM's way of helping meet emmisions standards. I now have a chip that keeps the temperature well under 200, even in traffic. Creates alot more horsepower and saves the wear and tear on the engine. Tom is a great guy and will help you out. If I had known about it earlier it would have been the first modification of any kind that I would have purchased. Al
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Temps
I have a 1996 with 82000 miles and live in South Florida. My temps usually run 189 on the highway and 201 in heavy traffic. The above leads me to believe that my guage is way off but never varies from the above numbers and makes me feel good.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 4
From: Milan
My 90 used to go up to 230 in heavy traffic in the summer.
Switched to 180 Thermostat and again 230 in havy traffic. A bit lower in Highway (185)
I burned a chip with earlier fan ON and I never see the 200 F
-Beppe-
Switched to 180 Thermostat and again 230 in havy traffic. A bit lower in Highway (185)
I burned a chip with earlier fan ON and I never see the 200 F
-Beppe-
