Water Temp Question...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
Water Temp Question...
I have an '04 Coupe with the stock thermostat. The water temp normally stays around 190-192 at 55-60 mph and 196-198 stopped when running with the A/C on. After taking the top off...I do like that feature...and turning the A/C off, she cruises at normal temp but cycles up to 205-207 while waiting at lights. In the driveway while putting the top back on the temp went up to 217, but made a retreat once I turned the A/C back on. I'm wondering what other experiences are?
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,364
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From: King George VA
Originally Posted by debmwb
I have an '04 Coupe with the stock thermostat. The water temp normally stays around 190-192 at 55-60 mph and 196-198 stopped when running with the A/C on. After taking the top off...I do like that feature...and turning the A/C off, she cruises at normal temp but cycles up to 205-207 while waiting at lights. In the driveway while putting the top back on the temp went up to 217, but made a retreat once I turned the A/C back on. I'm wondering what other experiences are?
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,346
Likes: 5
From: Mustang OK
Originally Posted by Subdriver
Your temps are normal. Using the AC turns on the fans before their set point which is just shy of 230. If you don't turn on AC sitting on a hot day, the temp will go up to about 227-228 or so and the fans will kick on and lower temp about 10-12 degrees.
Your temps are all well within normal range.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Newark, DE
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by Subdriver
Your temps are normal.
These are aluminum block engines. They like/need to run warmer than their iron block predecessors.
If it worries you, have the fans programmed to turn on 5-10 degrees earlier, and possibly go to a slightly cooler thermostat (since you live in a mild climate).
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,840
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Here is the stock PCM programing for the fans
Depends on the model year...
For later model years:2000+
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).
For early model years:
Low speed fans come on at 219,high speed fans come on at 228,low speed with a/c on...
Depends on the model year...
For later model years:2000+
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).
For early model years:
Low speed fans come on at 219,high speed fans come on at 228,low speed with a/c on...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Newark, DE
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by 03LingenfelterC5
What does a 160 degree thermostat do for you?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 815
Likes: 75
From: Lincoln CA
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'19
I have a 2004 coupe and it will get all the way up to that 235-degree high-speed-fan turnon point under adverse conditions. I.e., if it's over 100 degrees and I've just come off a 50-mile hiway run, (windows down & no air conditioning), then a five minute wait at a traffic light, temp goes to 235 and the high speed fan comes on. Under more normal conditions, temps are just about as you described for your car.
Have you resolved your pinging issues? If so, how? Mine runs fine on 93 or 94 octane, but will audibly ping on our California 91. Only changes are a GHL catback and a Z06 airbox lid (with stock paper filter).
Ernie
Have you resolved your pinging issues? If so, how? Mine runs fine on 93 or 94 octane, but will audibly ping on our California 91. Only changes are a GHL catback and a Z06 airbox lid (with stock paper filter).
Ernie
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,840
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Originally Posted by black04
I have a 2004 coupe and it will get all the way up to that 235-degree high-speed-fan turnon point under adverse conditions. I.e., if it's over 100 degrees and I've just come off a 50-mile hi way run, (windows down & no air conditioning), then a five minute wait at a traffic light, temp goes to 235 and the high speed fan comes on. Under more normal conditions, temps are just about as you described for your car.
Have you resolved your pinging issues? If so, how? Mine runs fine on 93 or 94 octane, but will audibly ping on our California 91. Only changes are a GAL cutback and a Z06 air box lid (with stock paper filter).
Ernie
Have you resolved your pinging issues? If so, how? Mine runs fine on 93 or 94 octane, but will audibly ping on our California 91. Only changes are a GAL cutback and a Z06 air box lid (with stock paper filter).
Ernie
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 815
Likes: 75
From: Lincoln CA
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'19
Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
heat will cause KR and decrease in performance.. keeping the car in the sweet spot will help ( 190/200 ) coolant, and (200/210) oil temp...you can do this with the help of a lower stat and reprogrammed fan settings. It is important to make sure your ac condenser and radiator fins are as clean as possible for cars in CA using 91 octane, cleaning the radiator should be part of yearly maintenance... in the most adverse case a higher capacity performance radiator will work, like a "Be Cool" or one of the other performance radiators.
Debmwb, what's the status on your pinging issues?
Ernie
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
Originally Posted by black04
Thanks for the advice. If I can find a thermostat that drops temps about 10 degrees (182 vs. 192) at hiway speeds, I will probably give that a try ...along with reprogramming fans downward about 10 or 15 degrees, of course. I feel that 160 degrees is a bit low, but it seems that thermostats spec'd at 160 usually control to some higher temp under cruising conditions. Do you know of any specific source of one that would run out at about 182?
Debmwb, what's the status on your pinging issues?
Ernie
Debmwb, what's the status on your pinging issues?
Ernie
I have reached nirvana! (and perma-grin)! I have 3% more timing in with 6% enrichment at both RPM settings. No pinging....lots of wheel spin, but no pinging!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,840
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
A thermostat change takes less than five minutes, start to finish. I run a 160 F stat mid April, May, Jun, July, Aug, mid Sept, with lower fan settings. I run a stock stat, mid Sept through the winter until mid April.
I do this twice a year, without any issues. Car is five years and 58,000 miles old.
I do this twice a year, without any issues. Car is five years and 58,000 miles old.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 815
Likes: 75
From: Lincoln CA
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'19
Originally Posted by debmwb
I have reached nirvana! (and perma-grin)! I have 3% more timing in with 6% enrichment at both RPM settings. No pinging....lots of wheel spin, but no pinging! Thanks for the info.
Ernie
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 815
Likes: 75
From: Lincoln CA
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'19
Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
A thermostat change takes less than five minutes, start to finish. I run a 160 F stat mid April, May, Jun, July, Aug, mid Sept, with lower fan settings. I run a stock stat, mid Sept through the winter until mid April.
I do this twice a year, without any issues. Car is five years and 58,000 miles old.
I do this twice a year, without any issues. Car is five years and 58,000 miles old.
Thanks for the info.
Ernie