[Z06] How hot is too hot?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Grand Blanc MI
How hot is too hot?
Had my Z for about a year 43k on the clock, the previous owner (I'm #2) took great care of the vehicle, my concern is on hot days the car runs over 220* kinda freaks me out, I'm told they run hot but how hot is too hot?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
should never get over 234, however, going to 230, then back down, repeat is common on a hot day in stop and go traffic. you can keep the AC on if you want to force the low speed fans into always on
pull your radiator and clean all the crap out of the fins if you haven't done so in the past 15-20k miles. it's basically a standard procedure for any c4/c5
pull your radiator and clean all the crap out of the fins if you haven't done so in the past 15-20k miles. it's basically a standard procedure for any c4/c5
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Grand Blanc MI
should never get over 234, however, going to 230, then back down, repeat is common on a hot day in stop and go traffic. you can keep the AC on if you want to force the low speed fans into always on
pull your radiator and clean all the crap out of the fins if you haven't done so in the past 15-20k miles. it's basically a standard procedure for any c4/c5
pull your radiator and clean all the crap out of the fins if you haven't done so in the past 15-20k miles. it's basically a standard procedure for any c4/c5
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 10
From: Crook County
I have a Dewitt's radiator as well, Last year my temp got up to 225 on a 60* day, I pulled in the garage climbed under the front of the car and seen that a little Walgreens bag got pulled up and was covering part of my radiator. Always check for obstructions....
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 308
Likes: 6
From: Winnetka, CA
I'd be more concerned with oil temp than coolant, that's a better indicator of heat pushing the engine towards failure. I stop running it hard @ 280, you can see the oil pressure has dropped significantly by that temp and I'm not keen to ruin any bearings.
I always leave the DIC on oil temp reading so I know both when the engine has warmed up and when the engine needs to cool down.
I always leave the DIC on oil temp reading so I know both when the engine has warmed up and when the engine needs to cool down.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
That sounds really hot to me.
Hottest I can remember mine getting was 217.
Sitting idling in 100+F, AC on, at the inspection station.
Normal cruising on the highway I'm 190-194. (Summer and Winter)
Try doing the following:
1.) Inspect your air deflector under the car. It MUST be angled so that air is forced up into the radiator. Over time it can get stuck (corrosion) and it may not be angled correctly. It may also be worn down and not have enough to scoop the air into the radiator. Make sure there is NO trash up in the radiator area as well.
2.) Follow my procedure on blowing out your radiator / condenser. You will not believe how much crap you will blow out.
It also makes one hell of a mess in your garage. Be sure to have the windows in your car rolled UP ! 
See my web page www.ToqueZ06.com.
See section at the bottom "How to blow out your Radiator / A/C Condenser:"
3.) Pulling the radiator out to blow thru with water might be necessary, but try options #1 and #2 first.
Hope this helps
Toque
Hottest I can remember mine getting was 217.
Sitting idling in 100+F, AC on, at the inspection station.
Normal cruising on the highway I'm 190-194. (Summer and Winter)
Try doing the following:
1.) Inspect your air deflector under the car. It MUST be angled so that air is forced up into the radiator. Over time it can get stuck (corrosion) and it may not be angled correctly. It may also be worn down and not have enough to scoop the air into the radiator. Make sure there is NO trash up in the radiator area as well.
2.) Follow my procedure on blowing out your radiator / condenser. You will not believe how much crap you will blow out.
It also makes one hell of a mess in your garage. Be sure to have the windows in your car rolled UP ! See my web page www.ToqueZ06.com.
See section at the bottom "How to blow out your Radiator / A/C Condenser:"
3.) Pulling the radiator out to blow thru with water might be necessary, but try options #1 and #2 first.
Hope this helps
Toque
Last edited by Toque; May 14, 2015 at 08:32 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Denver CO
On hot summer track days, I'll commonly see 300F oil and 245F coolant. I change oil (Amsoil) every other track weekend and send sample to Blackstone for analysis, and results are normal after 10 years of this abuse.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 211
Likes: 6
From: Corvette Owner since 1971 - 2004 Z06 Florida
I used to see 280s on the oil temp and 240s on the coolant when I tracked it. In 2007 I put in a Summit engine oil cooler in front of the radiator. When I track it, it now runs 210 on the oil when I keep the revs up on a 90F day and 200 on the coolant. In normal driving the oil temp stays around 185 now!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 239
From: Missi'ppi... no mo' MO for me!!
Originally Posted by CorvetteJimZ06
I used to see 280s on the oil temp and 240s on the coolant when I tracked it. In 2007 I put in a Summit engine oil cooler in front of the radiator. When I track it, it now runs 210 on the oil when I keep the revs up on a 90F day and 200 on the coolant. In normal driving the oil temp stays around 185 now!
To the OP, if you're really concerned about commute-traffic coolant temps, Southern Car Parts used to offer an aftermarket remote control fan switch w/ relay that would allow you to turn on the second fan at will. It is intended for less than 35mph. I can't find the link to it now, but you might inquire if it sounds like a viable alternative.
Last edited by dork; May 18, 2015 at 10:26 AM.