coolant temperature
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 17
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coolant temperature
Just got my vette out on a nice sunny 64 degree day after a long winter's nap when all of the sudden I felt cold air clowing out of the vents, a slight smell of coolant and the temperature gauge rising to 194 degrees. I went to the local Chevy dealer and without checking anything they said it was ok; it can run as hot as 235 degrees and still be considered normal. What temp does your Vette run at normally?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 114
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From: Chicago IL
Before I changed out the thermostat to a 160* and lowered the fan temps sitting in traffic my car would consistantly be in the 220's and 230's. While driving it would drop down to the 210's but not much lower.
It is 'normal' for LS motors to run that hot but is it good for them who knows for sure, you will get yes and no answers from people. You can easily get a tune to turn the fans on sooner or install a new thermostat for a little piece of mind.
It is 'normal' for LS motors to run that hot but is it good for them who knows for sure, you will get yes and no answers from people. You can easily get a tune to turn the fans on sooner or install a new thermostat for a little piece of mind.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 552
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From: TEMECULA CALIFORNIA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
They should run 196-200 moving with air off. Stopped, temps will climb to the fan settings, around 225 and 235 or so. If air on, stopped, temps will stay around 200-220 depending on ambient temp.
You've got to check the air intake occassionally, and especially when you see the temp rise abnormally. All kinds of debris gets sucked up there.
You've got to check the air intake occassionally, and especially when you see the temp rise abnormally. All kinds of debris gets sucked up there.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
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From: Rio Rancho NM
The low speed cooling fan is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches 108°C (226°F). It is turned off if the coolant temperature lowers to 104°C (219°F). The high speed cooling fan is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches 113°C (235°F). It is turned off if the coolant temperature lowers to 108°C (226°F). When the A/C is on and the coolant temperature reaches 85°C (185°F), the low speed cooling fan will be turned on at vehicle speeds less than 56 kPh (35 mph).
This is right from the tech manual.
This is right from the tech manual.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Chicago IL
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Holly, Michigan
The front air reflector is the black plastic strip that runs across the underside of the front of the car. It is what always scrapes when you pull into a driveway. It's purpose is to direct air into the bottom feeding radiator...Sometimes they get beat up so bad they come off, or are mispositioned hurting airflow to the rad...
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,410
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From: Chicago IL
The front air reflector is the black plastic strip that runs across the underside of the front of the car. It is what always scrapes when you pull into a driveway. It's purpose is to direct air into the bottom feeding radiator...Sometimes they get beat up so bad they come off, or are mispositioned hurting airflow to the rad...
I didn't know that it has to do with airflow to radiator though. I thought it was just for aerodynamics.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Chicago IL
Most cars I see just have air flow through front openings through the radiator.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: TEMECULA CALIFORNIA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Check it every month, or when temps start shooting skyward.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Holly, Michigan
When I was doing the flip tie mod that I decided to clean the rad. Not only did I find the ubiquituous garbage mentioned above, I also found a dirt and straw/grass mixture packed in the cooling fins. That was quite a job cleaning out (predictably messy as well!).
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Mine ran around 195-200 while moving - could get up to about 220 when in heavy traffic.
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194 degrees would be considered at the low end of the C5 normal operating range. Our's runs consistently at 192 and I think that is low. As for the cool air blowing from the vents, do you have the dual-zone climate control turned to auto? If so, check to see what temp you have it programmed for - it will adjust automatically to maintain that interior temperature.
LT1's (C4) and LS* (C5) are designed to run closer to 200 degrees for fuel efficiency. Don't know if it's fact, but I have heard that running a lower temp thermostat can cause a rich-running condition. Anyone want to confirm or deny that?
LT1's (C4) and LS* (C5) are designed to run closer to 200 degrees for fuel efficiency. Don't know if it's fact, but I have heard that running a lower temp thermostat can cause a rich-running condition. Anyone want to confirm or deny that?
