I read some threads on this subject. I checked the obvious and I also looked between the radiator and condenser. I think I was in normal range for my car and environment. However, please hear me out because this car is my favorite. I even want to pass it to my son when he is of age and stature.

I have a 2004 Z06 with 26,000 miles. Last year at 24,500 I had all my fluids, filters and plugs changed. Now for what happened...

I go to a buddies house and he wants to go cruise around. He wants to be seen so we leave the windows down and the AC off. Normally on a hot day I would have the AC on and the windows up. Today it was brutally hot and humid and the car read 95-100 deg. We were in traffic and slow cruising around our old spots that we did as teenagers. Dropped him off and proceeded back home. I never looked at my temp because I've never had to. For whatever reason I decided to today. I saw 225 deg. after sitting in traffic for 5-7 minutes. Drove away and it cooled down to 210 deg. Stopped right after that again and several more times in traffic on the way home. Each time I did it went up to 225-230 deg. Then I thought what would it do if I cut the air on? Well it went down to 210 deg. at idle and cooled normally as I drove. Is this normal behavior?

Also I am assuming that each big line after 220 is 10 more. If that is so then each big line before 220 is -10? Just wondering because the temp gauge says 100 far left and 260 far right. Moreover, what is the normal operating temp of my car?

 

It's normal. The C5/Z06 is a bottom breather and the fans don't come on until 226/235 degrees. The fans will go off if you're at highway speeds.

As long as you're sure there's no debris in the radiator/condenser and the temperatures continue to go back down when air is moving into the radiator/condenser, it's working as intended. The LSx motor was engineered for higher temperatures than the sbc of the past.

 

I love this car more than any other I have or owned. I like it more than my 09 Z06. Thank you so much for the advice. I usually dive it Gumball style and have never even seen a temp as high as 220 deg. I never drive it in traffic because to me what's the point. But today a Middle School buddy to present requested a ride for whatever reason. I had to oblige.

Is 5w-30 going to stand up to the heat? I thought 5w-30 was only good for 220 deg.

Does someone know the normal operating temp of my 04 Z06?

Also the lines on the temp gauge mean what below or above 220 deg.?

 

As mentioned by hotwheels, your temps are fine. I rarely use the analog (needle) reading and use the DIC (press the gauges button until you fine the TEMP).

As for the oil...not sure where you are located exactly (profile is not filled in), but I am here in Hawaii and lately the TEMP here is about the same as you listed and the MOBIL 1 5W-30 is fine.

Enjoy the car, the car was designed to operate at these TEMPs.

 

Now if you are stopped in traffic with the AC on and your temps go beyond 240 degrees, chances are you have a fan out...

You might get a 5-10 degree decline by blowing out the condenser and radiator and inspect the foam strips on the sides of the condenser. The foam is designed to seal that area better and if the foam is missing or pushed out the air will go around the condenser and not thru and your temps will be about 10 degrees hotter. That happened to me a couple weeks ago...

 

I intend to be more active here and edit my profile tomm. I've had a few drinks and know I should not be posting. Of course here we go (sound familiar?).
First and foremost, I asked a question to the forum. Therefore, I would like to thank everyone. For the forum, the plethora of knowledge and being here when I needed some advice. Please keep sharing your knowledge with me. Like a kid waking up to an Easter Basket, I will tomm. to see all the posts.

It's kinda of weird to me because I've NEVER even thought of my (even if it's in my mind) indestructible Z06 failing. NEVER.

To the last comment and all, Thank You. My 04 doesn't (or I haven't looked at my 09 to see) show info in Competitive Mode except Reserve Fuel. I always rip it in Competitive Mode. Moreover, I've always just ripped it care free. Started it up, warmed the tires and drove flat out unless I had to drive slower for my environment. Every freakin' mile...

I need a drink. I've had to edit this waaaayyyy to many times.

P.S. I know I forgot to mention I drove it in Competitive Mode. At the time of my post/panic it was an oversight.

 

Just hit the "reset" button right of the gauges and "Competitive Mode" will go off on the DIC and you can then display any of the gauges etc... Maybe read this in the morning, it will make more sense.

 

just get a 160 t-stat and retune it and you wont see it hit over 190-200 TOPS if your tuner knows what he is doing

 

agree. I use the DIC for all temps and info.

When I do use comp. mode., I hit reset to keep an eye on the temps. etc

 

If a tuner knows what he is doing you don't have to install a 160 degree t-stat (which isn't ideal in many cases) because tuning the fans to come on earlier will have a greater effect on the temps vs. a lower temp t-stat.

 

So you know - the reason the car didn't seem to heat up when the A/C is on is because the fans are on anytime the A/C is turned on.

That dosent mean you car runs cooler with your AC on, it just means the fans are turned on.

 

well if your going to get a tune to put the fans on earlier than you mine as well put one on its $25.
I have the fans turned on earlier on my dads but it still gets alot hotter than it does on my tbss that has a 160 t-stat. A T-Stat also makes it take longer to heat up so thats a good enough reason to buy it right there for the price

 

Thanks everybody.