Cooling Fan question

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Feb 11, 2017 | 02:09 PM

Mrg60

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From: Westerville Ohio

Cooling Fan question

2001 targa top with cold air induction, 1 3/4" log tube headers and performance exhaust. No internal mods. My concern is when I first start the engine everything is fine, after the engine reaches 210 - 220 degrees the dual fans will kick on and bring the temperature down to 185+/_. AC is off. However the fans will not kick off they just keep running. This happens on city or interstate driving. The engine temp will not move from the 185 mark. Is this normal, do I have a bad censor or are the headers creating to much heat in the engine bay? I guess I would rather be running on the cool side rather than the hot side but I do not want to burn up the cooling fans. Any input would be much appreciated...Thanks Mike

Feb 11, 2017 | 04:01 PM

Mrg60

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From: Westerville Ohio

Thanks 8VETTE7. Sounds like I will need to have my PCM looked at. Really do not want to buy a EFI or a HP ($$) for one adjustment. A trip to the dealership might be a option or a tuner. Its just a strange thing, totally opposite for all the other cooling fan issue I researched.

Feb 11, 2017 | 04:28 PM

StingrayRebel

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how do you know the fans are not turning off while driving?... they are designed to shut off when you reach a certain speed... but I agree with the above, it sounds like the fan settings have been changed... has the car been tuned?... my car will not stay at 185 unless it is pretty cool outside then it might, but once my car is warmed up the fans will stay running constantly when I am at idle... the factory fans are pretty robust so I wouldn't be too concerned with them running all the time at idle, just make sure they are working properly according to how your tune is set and you should be fine

Feb 11, 2017 | 05:03 PM

Mrg60

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From: Westerville Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by neutron82

Yes the car was tuned and dynoed. (previous owner) I did not know the fans were programmed to shut off when 35 MPH has been obtained. If it nice tomorrow (Ohio) I will try to verify shut off. It's funny, today it was 59 degrees first run of the year. Had a 45 minute enjoyable ride pulled into garage and the fans were just blowing away. Engine temp 185. I will be interested to see if the fans disengage at 35 MPH. I just need to figure a way to verify. I appreciate you taking time to share your knowledge. NOTE - Owned this C5 for three years and always had this issue. Thanks Mike...

Feb 11, 2017 | 05:46 PM

StingrayRebel

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the shutoff speeds can be changed as well so if they are staying on while driving then you should take it to the tuner and have them change that because there really is no reason to have them on while driving... if you have a gopro you could find somewhere to mount it in the engine bay or if you have a strong enough mount you could use your phone as well

Feb 11, 2017 | 06:00 PM

Evil-Twin

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Lots of issues here. Fans are electric and designed to shut off. The Meet the euro standard ( CE ) of 80,000 cycles The LSX motor is designed to run hot, not cold... cold is an LSX motor killer.. You don't want to run anywhere below 190F for sustained speed. The stat is deigned to make sure the motor doesn't go BELOW is designed temperature. this cold temperature will cause shear which will destroy the additive package in your designed for this engine exclusively oil.. this is why some LSX motors are toast at 150,000 miles and others can stand the test of time even after 400,000 miles. Tuners make the motor run cold to gain HP.. But , if you follow anything I've ever said about this car.. there are some things that are repeatable.. in this case, " EVERYTHING is a trade off.. " from its original design. want some more HP.. cool the motor add some advance, give the customer some more HP.. but what tuners fail to tell you is that this philosophy puts a few nails in the coffin of the motor over time. Motor sweet spot, 190F to 220F.... coolant
200F to 240F... oil

Bill aka ET.

Feb 11, 2017 | 06:30 PM

Rabbitman

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil-Twin

I worried about those higher temps as well last summer {first one with the Vette}. But after reading here everything works normal and I use the AC to bring the fans on if needed.
I even bought one of those Painless -Wiring kits to turn it on sooner but That wiring schematic is a little more for my brain to handle with all the wires in that bundle to the fans.
I didn't think it was {painless} so I never installed it and am glad I didn't now that I know everything is normal and just watch the gauge.

Feb 11, 2017 | 07:09 PM

Mrg60

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From: Westerville Ohio

Thanks to all. There is a really repeatable speed shop here in Columbus. (Toy Barn) Basic-ed on Evil-Twin's input I will get it checked out next week. Thanks Neutron82 for the gopro idea. I'll zip tie it in the bay (got to love zip ties).. Take care Gentlemen Mike