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History: I have a 2000 vert and have had it for about 14months now.
When I got the car it had 25K on it Now has 30K. I changed the coolant at 25K when I purchased it. It has been running fine for for the past 5k mies. Still is for that matter.
Drove it during the Hot FL summer and temp range was never over 210 usually in the 194 to 198 range even in stop and go traffic. Went as low as 189 in the early cooler morning once.
Now in the 80-70 deg weather when I stop at a light I notice the temp going up. Today it got up to 225. Once I start moving it drops back down just fine.
I checked the radiator and it is clean.
I have a feeling this is nothing to worry about but wanted to know what is the normal temp range and when do the fans turn on. I remember reading something about 230 deg?
May be I need a new tstat?
I would think being cooler out it would run cooler.
Does this sound normal?
I figured during the summer it would be hotter.
Engine temp is really controlled by the cooling fan switch 'cause the thermostat only dictates the minimum temp. I believe the cooling fans have two speeds: one setting around 220 or so and the other high speed around 235 degrees. So what you see would be normal. If you were running the A/C in the summer the fans would have been running more than at the 220 temp activation thus giving a lower engine temp. This is why it is important to modify the cooling fan swith temp activation point when changing to a low temp thermostat. Otherwise you won't see the benefit once the radiator heats up.
Engine temp is really controlled by the cooling fan switch 'cause the thermostat only dictates the minimum temp. I believe the cooling fans have two speeds: one setting around 220 or so and the other high speed around 235 degrees. So what you see would be normal. If you were running the A/C in the summer the fans would have been running more than at the 220 temp activation thus giving a lower engine temp. This is why it is important to modify the cooling fan swith temp activation point when changing to a low temp thermostat. Otherwise you won't see the benefit once the radiator heats up.
That would make sense I guess. I did not change the tstat. factory one from when the car was new from what i can tell..
I probably was running ac. I like to go topless but probably had the ac on automatic and did not even pay attention to it when the top was down.
Ill run with the ac on just to see what happens. That does seem plausible.
when you drove in the hot florida summer, you probably had your a/c on. this turns the cooling fans on low and keeps the rad cool. in heavy traffic, temps will still go up to about 225 when the fans run faster, cooling better.
now it's winter and you dont run the air, so the fans arent coming on until 225 or so,and they come on low. i think at 235 or so they come on high, kicking it back down to 215 or so.
when you drove in the hot florida summer, you probably had your a/c on. this turns the cooling fans on low and keeps the rad cool. in heavy traffic, temps will still go up to about 225 when the fans run faster, cooling better.
now it's winter and you dont run the air, so the fans arent coming on until 225 or so,and they come on low. i think at 235 or so they come on high, kicking it back down to 215 or so.