Engine Coolant Temperature
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Tecumseh Oklahoma
Engine Coolant Temperature
I have a 04 Vert. I've noticed twice in the last month that my engine temperature has gone over 220. Both times after an easy drive and while stopped at a stop sign. Temp goes down to proper reading after leaving stop sign. Dealership says the fans are coming on properly. I told them over 220 is too high and they are still checking. Car has been well maintained, 19K and driven on weekends. Any suggestions? It's still under factory warranty. Thanks in advance
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,664
Likes: 15
From: Wellsboro Pa
The LS1 runs hotter than you are use to. I think that the fans kick on at 230*. It's hard for all of us to get used to but it is what it is. If you get up to 260 shut it down but I doubt that you'll see that temperature.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,346
Likes: 5
From: Mustang OK
220 degrees F is within the normal operating range for the LS1/6 engine. The C5 has 2 cooling fans that are commanded on together by the PCM in either the low or high speed. For model years 2001-2004, the low speed is not commanded on until the coolant temperature reaches 226 degrees F. It is turned off when the coolant temperature lowers to 219 degrees F. The High speed is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches 235 degrees F. It is turned off if the coolant temperature lowers to 226 degrees F. When the A/C is on and the coolant temperature reaches 185 degrees F, the low speed will be turned on when vehicle speeds are less than 35 mph. Fan temp settings for earlier model year C5s differ some from the above.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Anything under 235 is normal. Anything over 235 is not.
Depending on year of your C5, fans don't even run until temp hits ~226 on 01/later cars. (I think the turn-on temp was like 219 on earler models).
I don't know what the dealer could possibly be checking for...220 temps are well within the normal operating range.
Depending on year of your C5, fans don't even run until temp hits ~226 on 01/later cars. (I think the turn-on temp was like 219 on earler models).
I don't know what the dealer could possibly be checking for...220 temps are well within the normal operating range.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 1
From: South Alabama
The LS1 is not the small block from Chevy of yesteryear.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,503
Likes: 2
From: Oklahoma City OK
220 degrees F is within the normal operating range for the LS1/6 engine. The C5 has 2 cooling fans that are commanded on together by the PCM in either the low or high speed. For model years 2001-2004, the low speed is not commanded on until the coolant temperature reaches 226 degrees F. It is turned off when the coolant temperature lowers to 219 degrees F. The High speed is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches 235 degrees F. It is turned off if the coolant temperature lowers to 226 degrees F. When the A/C is on and the coolant temperature reaches 185 degrees F, the low speed will be turned on when vehicle speeds are less than 35 mph. Fan temp settings for earlier model year C5s differ some from the above.
I usually keep my AC on to let the fans come on at better times.
however my fans have not been working like normal...
I got home after a short drive and my coolant temp was just over 220 (AC was not on)
I checked the DIC and it said 225, then 226 then 228... I did not hear any fans... I turned my AC on and my fans did not kick on either.
anyways my temp dropped down to 225 so I turned her off.
this has been happening more and more frequently...
any suggestions?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,044
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
I have a 04 Vert. I've noticed twice in the last month that my engine temperature has gone over 220. Both times after an easy drive and while stopped at a stop sign. Temp goes down to proper reading after leaving stop sign. Dealership says the fans are coming on properly. I told them over 220 is too high and they are still checking. Car has been well maintained, 19K and driven on weekends. Any suggestions? It's still under factory warranty. Thanks in advance
...now I'm ok with it...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 947
Likes: 1
From: Lower Lake Ca
I was at first taken aback by the high temps of my car also. However, these cars are designed to run hotter than the hot rods of the old days.
Another idea is to have a tuner turn down the fans. I had all settings (both fans, low and high settings) lowered 20 degrees. Now the temp seldom exceeds 215 and when it does the temp comes down quickly.
Another idea is to have a tuner turn down the fans. I had all settings (both fans, low and high settings) lowered 20 degrees. Now the temp seldom exceeds 215 and when it does the temp comes down quickly.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 444
Likes: 56
From: DeBary Florida
I live in Florida...gets real hot. A couple bottles of Water Wetter added to the antifreeze won't hurt either..a lot of folks here on the forum use it. Myself included. You won't see dramatic results but you will notice a difference.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,704
Likes: 24,676
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
If the temp gets over 235, then there is something to worry about. Your temps are not bad at all.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,503
Likes: 2
From: Oklahoma City OK
I was noticing yesterday that while cruising on the highway my temp stays in the 190's to 200. As soon as I get off the highway the temp climbs to the 215-220. yesterday it did not climb too high and fans did not kick on.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,819
Likes: 1
From: Toledo Ohio
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
You OK. Do not go to a 160 thermostat=it will do you no good! It will only keep your car from reaching normal temps by slowing the warm up time.. If the fans come on and the temp drops then its working the way it was designed. If you can safely raise the front of the car look up and into the radiator from below. It forms an upside down "V" with condenser. C5s are bottom breathers and suck up leaves, plaitic bags and other such blockers. You may need to vacuum it out.
