Texas Summer Engine Temp Bummer
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 66
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From: Arlington TX
Texas Summer Engine Temp Bummer
Guys, as a Dallasite living in north Texas I have to suffer summers ranging from 95 to 109 degrees. Driving at noon or 5PM the temp. of my 2000 C5 ranges from 220 to 250. Thoughts? Anyone have a suggestion? New thermostat or summer-ize the engine (what is this exactly?) Let me know if you guys have any suggestions. I'm sure there are many more people that this would help.
Thanks guys,
Jared Chesnut
2000 Torch Red C5 Coupe
Thanks guys,
Jared Chesnut
2000 Torch Red C5 Coupe
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 6
From: Rowlett Texas
I suggest getting a 160 or 170 degree thermostat and having your fans programmed to come on earlier. I had the same problem when I first got my car. I had to drive LBJ from North Dallas around to Garland. The temp scared the heck out of me so that's the first thing I did and I've had no problems since. Still runs 180-190 in the summer though.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 881
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '05, '14, '15
I am in Houston so I feel ya 
, and I am about to do the following...
Install 180/175 Thermo
Red Line Water Wetter
Flush -n- Fill my Coolant
Clean out my radiator
Install Manual Fan Switch
Pre-Cut Insulation
I have write ups from the forum here on all these installs, just have to parse thru all these bookmarks
coolant flush:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...4&forum_id=103
Pre-Cut Insulation:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ghlight=precut
, and I am about to do the following...Install 180/175 Thermo
Red Line Water Wetter
Flush -n- Fill my Coolant
Clean out my radiator
Install Manual Fan Switch
Pre-Cut Insulation
I have write ups from the forum here on all these installs, just have to parse thru all these bookmarks
coolant flush:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...4&forum_id=103
Pre-Cut Insulation:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ghlight=precut
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,018
Likes: 565
From: Conroe Texas
we went to bandara for the easter weekend and on the drive back across i-10 in upper 90 degree temp, my 2k ran right at 194 with the a/c on. we just got the car feb 1st and it consistently runs at 194, except for when we are sitting in traffic. i too am interested in going down in the thermostat, but don't want to go too low, any one have a magic number that the engine should be at. i always run a 160 in the c3 and c4.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,899
Likes: 1,839
From: Hot Springs AR
Originally Posted by nyurdrms
Guys, as a Dallasite living in north Texas I have to suffer summers ranging from 95 to 109 degrees. Driving at noon or 5PM the temp. of my 2000 C5 ranges from 220 to 250. Thoughts? Anyone have a suggestion? New thermostat or summer-ize the engine (what is this exactly?) Let me know if you guys have any suggestions. I'm sure there are many more people that this would help.
Thanks guys,
Jared Chesnut
2000 Torch Red C5 Coupe
Thanks guys,
Jared Chesnut
2000 Torch Red C5 Coupe
First step would be to check the radiator for leaves and other debris that could be reducing airflow. Remember that the A/C condensor is in front of the radiator; stuff can get caught between the two.
Assuming that's OK, the next step would be to check your engine coolant. The only time I've had my engine temps get that high is when my coolant cap depressurized and slowly leaked coolant out over time, allowing air to get sucked in when things cooled down. If the coolant is low, then it went somewhere. If that's the case I'd replace the cap first; I've heard of several that get weak over time.
Assuming the coolant level is OK, and you're still having this problem, replace the stock t'stat with an OEM unit. Once we get the problem solved, then you can mess with cooler t'stats if you want.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
Originally Posted by Sleazy Rider
we went to bandara for the easter weekend and on the drive back across i-10 in upper 90 degree temp, my 2k ran right at 194 with the a/c on. we just got the car feb 1st and it consistently runs at 194, except for when we are sitting in traffic. i too am interested in going down in the thermostat, but don't want to go too low, any one have a magic number that the engine should be at. i always run a 160 in the c3 and c4.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,661
Likes: 67
From: Ocean Springs MS
If your car is getting up to 250, then you either have a bad fan, low coolant, or there is junk blocking your radiator, By 235, both fans should be blowing on high. If it is getting hotter, there is something wrong, On a triple digit day, in stop and go traffic, 230 is not unusual. Once on the highway, your temps should go down to 195-200. Evil-twin, mentioned above, was a C5 engineer, and says the sweet spot is 180-200 for aluminum block LSx engines. 160 is old school, iron block SBC thinking. Of course, cold air to the intake is good, and a subject for a whole nuther thread.
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: South Texas
Corpus Z06
I am running a 2004 Z06 with stock thermo. Changed dex cool and put in Red Line water wetter. In traffic (I drive it every day) at 90 degrees. I see about 205 (a/c on); on the highway I see 194-198 even running it hard.