Question on Temperature
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 0
From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
Not hi-jacking the OPs thread, but like Jet-Jock, showing what could be stuck between those two radiators, so I decided to clean my radiator today, scrubbed, vacuumed, pressure washed. Good results in the photo's, but no road test yet, the sky opened up..
and man do we need the rain. Pay no attention to the dates on the photos, my camera has a gremlin...
before:
after:
and man do we need the rain. Pay no attention to the dates on the photos, my camera has a gremlin...before:
after:
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Nice job! 
I've done this routine three times now and every time I cannot believe the amount of debris that comes out.
Guess that is why they call these vehicles a $50,000 road vacuum.
I've done this routine three times now and every time I cannot believe the amount of debris that comes out.
Guess that is why they call these vehicles a $50,000 road vacuum.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 0
From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,447
Likes: 1
From: Katy TX
There is a difference between normal and normal operating range. Yes while those temps are within the normal operating range, you'll find the "normal" operating temperature is more like 196-203°F coolant temp. Your "normal" operating oil temp is around 212°F.
If your cooling system begins to clog up (condenser is in front of radiator), or the effectiveness of the Dexcool has reached its limits, some maintenance will return the system to "normal" operating values. It's better for the engine to operate with a margin to its higher end operating parameters, then it is to operate at the high end all the time.
This behavior to run at elevated temperatures as the vehicle begins to age if it has not had regular service to the cooling system, is normal. Because of the grit and dust that collects in between the fins and when exposed to moisture tends to clog up the fin area reducing the radiators abilities to transfer heat. The DexCool should be changed at a regular interval as well. (See owners manual)
I don't believe either of the Bill's would disagree with the above.
If your cooling system begins to clog up (condenser is in front of radiator), or the effectiveness of the Dexcool has reached its limits, some maintenance will return the system to "normal" operating values. It's better for the engine to operate with a margin to its higher end operating parameters, then it is to operate at the high end all the time.
This behavior to run at elevated temperatures as the vehicle begins to age if it has not had regular service to the cooling system, is normal. Because of the grit and dust that collects in between the fins and when exposed to moisture tends to clog up the fin area reducing the radiators abilities to transfer heat. The DexCool should be changed at a regular interval as well. (See owners manual)
I don't believe either of the Bill's would disagree with the above.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 0
From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
This is correct! Upon visual inspection, my radiator and condensor appeared to be clean, but I found an appliance brush and just cleaned it for the heck of it. I was amazed at how much debris fell out the fins. Previously with the A/C on and on the highway I would see 205* temps and now after the cleaning, with the A/C on and on the highway I'm seeing 180* temps on a 90* day. I have a 160* T-stat.
Same here, per my post above. Amazing what a cleaning will do. Took my Vette out today for the first time since cleaning it, outside temp was around 96*+, a good run on the interstate, cruising at 80, it never got above 185. Before the cleaning, it was running at least 198*. Glad the OP threw this thread out here, motivated me to clean my radiators.
