Coolant Temps
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
From: Cumming GA
Coolant Temps
I am looking to see if anyone can give me the normal operating temp for the coolant on a 2004 Z06.
The car is operating in the 220 range and the dealer says this is normal.
This seems much hotter than I expected.
The car is operating in the 220 range and the dealer says this is normal.
This seems much hotter than I expected.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 389
Likes: 1
From: Roswell GA
That is normal if you are sitting in traffic on a warm/hot day. I would also check in front of the radiator and a/c condensor (They are on top of each other). These cars suck up leaves, trash, dirt etc which prevent the airflow from cooling.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
Our cars are bottom breathers and do not use a fan a nominal operating temps.
The fans begin to come on in the 220's and then switch to high(er) speeds at even higher temps.
Usually you C5 will run cooler n traffic iwith the AC on due to the fans being employed all the time with it is on.
It bothers me too when the temps show the 230's and I always attempt to find a stretch of road without traffic so I can cool her down.
The fans begin to come on in the 220's and then switch to high(er) speeds at even higher temps.
Usually you C5 will run cooler n traffic iwith the AC on due to the fans being employed all the time with it is on.
It bothers me too when the temps show the 230's and I always attempt to find a stretch of road without traffic so I can cool her down.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 40,995
Likes: 9,759
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Need more info than what you have provided. Where do you see the 220 in traffic or on the highway? Big difference between the two. 220 in traffic is not unexpected. 220 on the highway at 75 mph is too high. 220 on the track at 150 mph is expected unless the radiator is replaced with a racing radiator to get extra cooling. Low operating temps are a thing of the distant past.
Bill
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
Need more info than what you have provided. Where do you see the 220 in traffic or on the highway? Big difference between the two. 220 in traffic is not unexpected. 220 on the highway at 75 mph is too high. 220 on the track at 150 mph is expected unless the radiator is replaced with a racing radiator to get extra cooling. Low operating temps are a thing of the distant past.
Bill
Bill
Traffic is another story. Stop and go is brutal and finds mine as high as 240. It never lasts long due to the fans engaging and moving along in traffic, preferrably without someone directly in front of me.
As mentioned in an earlier post, make very sure that the radiator/condenser is clear of any debris. It is so easy to suck up a Wal-Mart bag or something and really cause a problem.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 838
Likes: 17
From: Maple Valley WA
St. Jude Donor '10
Up here in Washington (around 50 degrees right now) my car runs right around 195-205 on the highway, and cruising around town. In heavy traffic, it gets up to 230-235.
At first I thought that was pretty damn warm, compared to what I'm used to, but these cars are designed to run at higher temps for emission purposes.
At first I thought that was pretty damn warm, compared to what I'm used to, but these cars are designed to run at higher temps for emission purposes.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,019
Likes: 17
My car is set up (with tstat and fans) to run in the 175-190 range, and I have a noticeable decrease in power if it is 210 or above (supported with time slips). High op. temps are for emissions purposes only. These engines make better power under 200F.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati OH
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Ambient air temperatures and roadway temperatures will also effect your cooling system temperatures...try driving in 118 degree AZ summer temperatures at rush hour w/o hitting the mid 220s+...
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Alberta
Here's what you need to do. Drive on the highway for ten minutes using cruise. Record your temperature - probably 88*C or 190*F. Get someone with HPT or EFILive, nearby, to program your fans to come on 6 degrees higher than the temperature you read, and turn off 2 degrees higher than the temperatures you read. Post on the HPT or EFILive forums for someone near you to help you. For example, I'm in Calgary, and I'll do this, and most other things for an LS1 owner, for a Guinness. Perhaps you'd consider filling out your location profile so your neighbours can step up to the plate and help you.
Last edited by Billf6531; Mar 17, 2007 at 08:46 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,019
Likes: 17
I wouldn't do that. Tstat removal can cause overheating, pushing fluid through the radiator too quickly, before it can cool sufficiently. Tstat required.