To Hot!
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Cruising
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
To Hot!
Have relocated to Tucson from Missouri & my 2000 C5 temp is running at 210-223 degrees in town and its not even summer. What can I do to keep it running cooler. Thermostat? Other? Thx in advance.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Welcome to AZ and congested traffic from 10,000+ new residents per month...wait until you come up to metro Phoenix when it's 118 degrees!
A thermostat change will only effect the coolant temperature as to when it's allowed to circulate through the system. After that the temperatures will be what they're allowed to be depending on radiator, coolant, fan(s), moving or stationery air flow, etc.
Adjusting the fan setting(s) via a professional tune (two in Tempe area are site vendors) or maybe a hand held tuner would probably help. Also, check the areas of your radiator and a/c condenser for debris blocking air flow.
A thermostat change will only effect the coolant temperature as to when it's allowed to circulate through the system. After that the temperatures will be what they're allowed to be depending on radiator, coolant, fan(s), moving or stationery air flow, etc.Adjusting the fan setting(s) via a professional tune (two in Tempe area are site vendors) or maybe a hand held tuner would probably help. Also, check the areas of your radiator and a/c condenser for debris blocking air flow.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Mar 9, 2007 at 11:55 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Either get a fan switch, a handheld programmer, or have someone program the fans on sooner. My programmer allows me to turn the fans on sooner, I stay down under 200 when it is 95 here.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Illinois
That is about normal for stop and go traffic. I dont think it matters if its hot or cold outside. If you sit in traffic even in the cold your engine can still overheat ifthe fans are not coming on. In the summer when its hot your fans will just be coming on more often. At about 220 deg your fans should come on whether its hot or cold outside. This is the normal operating temp for your car unless you program the fans to come on sooner. I would start to be concerned if fan temp got over 230 deg.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
From: Mesa Arizona
That is about normal for stop and go traffic. I dont think it matters if its hot or cold outside. If you sit in traffic even in the cold your engine can still overheat ifthe fans are not coming on. In the summer when its hot your fans will just be coming on more often. At about 220 deg your fans should come on whether its hot or cold outside. This is the normal operating temp for your car unless you program the fans to come on sooner. I would start to be concerned if fan temp got over 230 deg.
I was a little freeked out when we first got our 03 coupe. Crusing slow (10mph) around Canyon Lake in the Summer and I looked down and the temp was around 234-236. Yikes. Back in the day if our big block Fords hit 212 we could count on our rad to split the top tank.
The cheep way out is to install a 160 stat. I have one. BUT to keep the car cooler than stock in traffic in the Summer, you need to have your fan on and off times re-programed. Mine are programed to come on at 192 and 196. Some guys go cooler than that.
Anyway, it's OK to drive in the 230's even.
Bob
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 783
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
Start to get concerned if the water temps reach 240 ! Low mid 230's is typical for C5's in traffic, in the summer, here in Az. The cooling fans (2) are programed to come on in the high 220's and the second low 230's. No big deal. The LS1's are designed to run up to 240 ish.
I was a little freeked out when we first got our 03 coupe. Crusing slow (10mph) around Canyon Lake in the Summer and I looked down and the temp was around 234-236. Yikes. Back in the day if our big block Fords hit 212 we could count on our rad to split the top tank.
The cheep way out is to install a 160 stat. I have one. BUT to keep the car cooler than stock in traffic in the Summer, you need to have your fan on and off times re-programed. Mine are programed to come on at 192 and 196. Some guys go cooler than that.
Anyway, it's OK to drive in the 230's even.
Bob
I was a little freeked out when we first got our 03 coupe. Crusing slow (10mph) around Canyon Lake in the Summer and I looked down and the temp was around 234-236. Yikes. Back in the day if our big block Fords hit 212 we could count on our rad to split the top tank.
The cheep way out is to install a 160 stat. I have one. BUT to keep the car cooler than stock in traffic in the Summer, you need to have your fan on and off times re-programed. Mine are programed to come on at 192 and 196. Some guys go cooler than that.
Anyway, it's OK to drive in the 230's even.
Bob
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 344
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From: Fremont CA
CI 3-5-8 Veteran
You can help yourself!
Having a 2000 roadster, I speak from personal experience. The car acts as a vacuum cleaner sucking all the road gunk up into the air conditioning heat exchanger which reduces the air flow through the radiator. What to do. Well every oil change check the air plenum and remove the big loose peices (I have found bird bodies, plastic bags, all sorts of big bug bodies, etc). Then if you are handy with tools, you can take things a part and pressure wash the heat exchangers (this can become involved).
Also, the car will run cooler with the air conditioning switched on (because that circuit turns on both fans).
Neil
Also, the car will run cooler with the air conditioning switched on (because that circuit turns on both fans).
Neil