Typical Water temps??
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,780
Likes: 934
From: Indianapolis IN
Typical Water temps??
OK, got to drive the new Z (2002) for the first time today. Ambient temp was around 35 degree F. Water temp, per the DIC, and the gauge appeared to confirm the DIC readings, varied between 215F and 230F. Drove the car for about 10 miles, mostly in 3rd and 4th gear, 2000RPM to 2500RPM. 4 or 5 stop lights along the way. The water temp seems high to me. I would "think" the water temp should be below 210F, maybe average arond 200F. Your thoughts?? This is my first vette ever and am still learning the ins and outs of the C5. Note my car has a big ole nasty 402 with headers and all the other good stuff under the hood. Sticking t-stat?? Clogged up radiator?? I know the fans work and seem to come on early. Would hate to see what the water temps would be with an ambient of 85F. Any advice or suggestions would be great. I thank you in advance!
Steve
Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,167
Likes: 11
From: Powell TN
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
LS1s/LS6s run hot. The first fan isn't set to come on until coolant temps reach 225*. The second fan is set for 235*. You should check for leaves, grass, paper, etc., blocking the radiator. Stuff gets trapped in there pretty easily.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 2
From: pawleys island sc
those temps seem high for the conditions you discribed. Do a search on radiator cleaning and overheating- I don't have any pictures that I can post to show you what needs to be done. The "search" button is your friend. Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,078
Likes: 17
that is absolutely normal for what you have under the hood with a stock radiator.
My stocker kept my engine at 170* with a 160* tstat on the road, but when I raced the coolant got to 245*. I put a bigger radiator in, and a 195* tstat and now I see 215 on the road, and 235* in summer heat when road racing.
Big ole' nasty engines take a lot to keep cool. If you want a lower temperature, run a bigger radiator lower tstat and fan settings.
My stocker kept my engine at 170* with a 160* tstat on the road, but when I raced the coolant got to 245*. I put a bigger radiator in, and a 195* tstat and now I see 215 on the road, and 235* in summer heat when road racing.
Big ole' nasty engines take a lot to keep cool. If you want a lower temperature, run a bigger radiator lower tstat and fan settings.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Those temperatures are normal. Although there are two fans, they work together on low and high speed. Here is how they operate:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corvette Cooling Fans Operation
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).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One "trick" you can do is to turn on the A/C, this usually lowers temperatures because the low speed fans run at a lower temperature.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corvette Cooling Fans Operation
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).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One "trick" you can do is to turn on the A/C, this usually lowers temperatures because the low speed fans run at a lower temperature.
Last edited by Oldvetter; Dec 14, 2007 at 11:22 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,822
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
With the rpms you were pushing the temps will be up a little. Normally in the temps in which you were driving the engine will run in the 190 to 200 range. Keeping the rpms up as you were doing will raise the temps about 15 degrees.
Bill
Bill
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: New Bern NC
Congrats on your new to you Vette!
I run at 198 t0 210 on the average.
I did check and clean some debris out from the front of the radiator when I first got mine last year and pulled much pine straw and leaves out.
Like the post earlier by 200 c-5 said, check that out since the low air intake sucks up trash.
I run at 198 t0 210 on the average.
I did check and clean some debris out from the front of the radiator when I first got mine last year and pulled much pine straw and leaves out.
Like the post earlier by 200 c-5 said, check that out since the low air intake sucks up trash.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,780
Likes: 934
From: Indianapolis IN
Thanks a ton for the advice friends! I will check for any debris that may be inhibiting airflow through the radiator. I think I am also going to change the t-stat, just in case. Doesnt appear that changing the t-stat is a very difficult job. I'll start with that and see how she responds.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Thanks a ton for the advice friends! I will check for any debris that may be inhibiting airflow through the radiator. I think I am also going to change the t-stat, just in case. Doesnt appear that changing the t-stat is a very difficult job. I'll start with that and see how she responds.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,780
Likes: 934
From: Indianapolis IN
Understood and thank you for the advice. The car is a nice day - weekend toy. It is not a daily driver. It will be hibernating in the winter months, BUT, I will not be installing a 160 degree t-stat anyway. Either a 180 or the stock unit. If necessary I will remove the stock radiator and replace it with a larger capacity unit to help keep the temps under control.