coolant temp @228 is it normal?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
coolant temp @228 is it normal?
on the way home from work i took main streets instead of taking the freeway like i usually do, it was about 7:30pm and about no more than 80 degrees out side when by the time i got home which is about 20mins later i noticed my coolant temp was at 220 degrees, that seemed kinda high to me so i let the car idle to see if it was overheating and it went up to 228 which is the highest ive ever seen it and this whole time the fan never turned on. Do thank it is normal or should the fan have turned on. any experiences and suggestions is greatly apprecieated.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,817
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Its normal operation.
From the Service Manual for your car:
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).
Bill
From the Service Manual for your car:
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).
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,047
Likes: 252
From: San Diego
Stock cooling systems are designed to run hot for better emissions. I would get a tuner to turn your radiator fans to come on sooner and a 160 degree thermostat installed. This will help your car run cooler 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Still getting hot
this time it got up to 225F iturned the car of and there was alot of pressure in the resevoir tank and i could here it bubbling, has any body experienced this if so what did it turn out to be
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,945
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From: No Star Whackers here. Md.
St. Jude Donor '11
When I pulled the radiator shroud off my car to install a Vararam, my son asked me if I used the car to cut grass. lol. The front of the radiator was covered in it. You may want to check yours.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,183
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
Before you start changing thermostats and programming, if your car has been ok up till now, clean out the front of the radiator and between the a/c and radiator area. You probably just picked up some debris. Maybe a plastic bag, maybe just grass and leaves. If you're not getting air flow through the fins, you can leave the thermostat out and you'll still overheat. The thermostat controls the minimum temp.
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 10,961
Likes: 2,643
From: Texas Hill Country
I agree to check the radiator for a plastic bag getting sucked up there, etc. Also, start your car cold and let it idle up to temp with the resevior cap off and squeeze your radiator hoses a bunch of time to get potential air out of the system. Check the res level and add if necessary.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 966
Likes: 9
From: Phoenix AZ
A couple of month ago, mine did the same thing. Normally ran at 195* or so, then strated creeping up to 225*-230*. Cleaned the radiator, condensor, and put in a new thermostat and now I'm back to 192*. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1979485
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
it all makes sense now
it all makes sense know i didint notice it getting hot untill a few days after my trip from san diego to san francisco. on the way back i drove the coast all the way south to san diego and when i got home i cleaned my car and everytime i clean my car i pop the hood and check all my fluids. i noticed alot of sand every where under the hood so i washed the engine bay, but i didint look at the radiator and condeser I bet that **** is covered in beach sand. ill clean it out tommarow and while im there i bet my K&N is filthy too! Thanks so much guys I'll keep you posted and try to take some pics if it is dirty.