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When I drive normally, The temp runs from 180-200. But when I get on it a little, It could go up as high as 210-215. But the funny thing is when I am idling a lot, especially in heavy traffic, I have gotten the max of 230 before. I think that 230 is the max level of normal as our engines where kind of designed to run hotter than most. Plus its good to have an ample amount 50:50 water/coolant mix at all times. But the good thing about running consistantly from 190-200 is that the engine will burn fuel cleaner and therefore build less carbon deposits in the engine. I forgot where I read that, but I know it makes perfect sense.
That's the way the General designed these L98s. This is one reason that EGR is required to lower combustion chamber temps to prevent ping.
I now run a 160deg F T-stat & fan switch and temps normally run around 160deg F; on very hot days will climb to around 170deg F. BTW, at these temps the EGR valve will not be opened by the ECM as chamber temps are lower.
Don't get scared. That is a very reasonable temp for normal use. The main fan isn't even programmed to come on until 225*, or so. With the aux fan coming on around 235* Your's is fine.
My '85 runs between 189 to 195 degrees when I'm driving. The fan comes on at 224 degrees, which is normal. Our cars were designed to run hot for emissions purposes. My car ran alot cooler once I replaced the radiator (which was the original one from the factory). You'd be surprised how much crud gets packed up on the front of the radiator over time!
Maybe the engine temperature gauge is not accurate in my 1990 Corvette, but the needle consistently points to 100 when I'm driving 60 to 70 mph on four-lane highways and interstate highways. When I'm in traffic and stopping at lights, it goes to the midway mark.
In the summer, it stays in the midway point while on the interstate highway. When I'm in traffic, the fan comes on when the temp gets up to 220 or so.
Maybe the previous owner installed a 160 degree thermostat.
Does it sound like the engine is running too cool?
I can turn on the heat on a cold day and get plenty of heat. The oil temperature stays around 100 whenever the engine temp is 100. They are pretty much the same most of the time. -- Eric
Last edited by Photomania; Jan 21, 2005 at 11:24 PM.
Doesn't make sense. Why would it run at 100 degrees on the highway but then runs at normal temps on city streets? The thermostat is set to keep the water from circulating through the engine until the engine reaches it's normal operating temperature. Then the thermostat opens to maintain the normal operating temperature by circulating the water through the cooling jackets. Either both of your gauges are messed up or the sending units to the gauges are messed up. Even with a 160 thermostat, it should get up to 160.
Don't get scared. That is a very reasonable temp for normal use. The main fan isn't even programmed to come on until 225*, or so. With the aux fan coming on around 235* Your's is fine.
Since my temp gauge consistently stays on 100 during highway speeds, maybe the sending units are malfunctioning. I think the engine is running at the right temperature. When I get home, the hood is warm, and the top of the engine is too hot to touch. I don't know if sending units go bad often. This 1990 Corvette has 90,000 miles. -- Eric
Maybe the engine temperature gauge is not accurate in my 1990 Corvette, but the needle consistently points to 100 when I'm driving 60 to 70 mph on four-lane highways and interstate highways. When I'm in traffic and stopping at lights, it goes to the midway mark.
In the summer, it stays in the midway point while on the interstate highway. When I'm in traffic, the fan comes on when the temp gets up to 220 or so.
Maybe the previous owner installed a 160 degree thermostat.
Does it sound like the engine is running too cool?
I can turn on the heat on a cold day and get plenty of heat. The oil temperature stays around 100 whenever the engine temp is 100. They are pretty much the same most of the time. -- Eric
Sounds to me like that thermostat is a "fail-open" and has failed. Time for a new one.
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Originally Posted by 65Z01
That's the way the General designed these L98s. This is one reason that EGR is required to lower combustion chamber temps to prevent ping.
I now run a 160deg F T-stat & fan switch and temps normally run around 160deg F; on very hot days will climb to around 170deg F. BTW, at these temps the EGR valve will not be opened by the ECM as chamber temps are lower.
I seriously thought about this mod but I've always thought the thermostat just helped the water warm up faster. And, once the water is hot, it opens and stays open. So, with either thermo, the car would hit the same high temps. That said, I do see where kicking the fan on at a lower temp would hold water temp down.
So why change thermostats? (Also, does gas mileage go down with the car running cooler)?