160 Thermostat questio/ problem ?!?!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
Its all personal preference...just like who runs what gasoline, brand tires, brake pads, oil and so on. I personally dont care to see my car with 215+ water temps on a 100 degree day sitting in traffic or cruising in town above mph where fans are on. I dont care if thats not considered overheating or not. My stock stat found a good home in the trash can where it belongs.
Thats what I like about forums....No one is ever in agreement on any subject no matter what it is.
Thats what I like about forums....No one is ever in agreement on any subject no matter what it is.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 10
From: Monticello MN
A buddy and myself were out in the Black Hills the year before last. Outside temps were 115-120 degrees. It was blazing. His C5 started running really, really hot. He had the radiator fins blown out with compressed air at the local Chevy dealer. You would not believe the amount of crap that came out....sand, twigs, parts of leaves, bugs, etc. It was amazing. Once done, the cars temp settled right down where they're supposed to be. Do this first. I'll bet it fixes your problem and it won't cost you much. 
Ed
Ed
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
I thank you all for great advise I have to inspect everything in my cooling system and find out the root of this problem. now as for the reprogramming of the fans how or who do I do that? or where do I go for this task? if I have to go to a shop can you recommend one here in So Cal.
Thanks again
I have to inspect everything in my cooling system and find out the root of this problem. now as for the reprogramming of the fans how or who do I do that? or where do I go for this task? if I have to go to a shop can you recommend one here in So Cal. Thanks again
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,518
Likes: 37
So like some say the stat doesn't help much but fan control can. Would it be just the same to just adjust when the fans come on with no stat change?
The only heating problem I ever had was after driving the Woorward Dream Cruise in Detroit that goes 2mph stop and go for about 6 hours. (Past and among thousands of other really great cars.) Turned down a side road and drove at some speed and temp settled.
The only heating problem I ever had was after driving the Woorward Dream Cruise in Detroit that goes 2mph stop and go for about 6 hours. (Past and among thousands of other really great cars.) Turned down a side road and drove at some speed and temp settled.
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 681
Likes: 0
From: Morris County, NJ
The Infiniti guage is a dumbed down gauge which receives its temperature reading after the computer has interpreted it, instead of directly from a sending unit. This allows the computer to control the reading of the Infiniti gauge to read in the middle regardless of engine operating temperature from 195-235 degrees. Only when you are on the verg of overheating, will it show a reading higher than normal.
This is to keep the number of compliants/service visits to a minumum-all newer cars are like this-except the Corvette, which actually indicates the engine operating temp.
Steve
This is to keep the number of compliants/service visits to a minumum-all newer cars are like this-except the Corvette, which actually indicates the engine operating temp.
Steve
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 310
Likes: 3
From: Alhambra CA
Wow! 
all this info is very helpful, I just have one last question.
how can I reprogram the fan control? do I need to take the car to a shop or do I need one of those hand held hypertech programmers from Ecklers or vendor like them.
Thx.
all this info is very helpful, I just have one last question.how can I reprogram the fan control? do I need to take the car to a shop or do I need one of those hand held hypertech programmers from Ecklers or vendor like them.
Thx.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 543
Likes: 1
Thermastat change
I installed a HyperTech 160 degree thermastat in my '01 and baseline operating temperature dropped from 198 degrees to 178 degrees.
Cooler operating temperature could mean a slight performance increase.
I hope this helps.
Roger T
Cooler operating temperature could mean a slight performance increase.
I hope this helps.
Roger T
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,518
Likes: 37
Does anyone remember that thread with a quick stat change method? Just getting things ready, having a helper and changing it with minimal loss of fluid.
The search function seems messed up recently and I can't find things...
The search function seems messed up recently and I can't find things...
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,394
Likes: 12
From: Leon Iowa
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Same here on the temps and fan settings. I also get 31mpg so the lower temps didn't hurt my mileage.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 1
From: Littleton Colorado
After you have done a good cleaning, IMO I wouldn't worry unless you get to 240. If you reach that temp then you may have a real problem. Until then it is working as designed. Some interestng reading in this thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...hermostat.html
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
You might want to check out this sticky in the General section when you get time....Lots of good information.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...hermostat.html
Rossi
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...hermostat.html
Rossi
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,518
Likes: 37
Yea, that is why it is confusing though. You could make a great case that a good tuner knows the most about these engines than anyone else because they are able to make changes in all the parameters for performance. AND so many recommend the 160 degree stats.
The engeneer who works on it also has to work with emissions and needs a hotter engine to burn off more waste products, etc.. So can't really say the engeneer would have done it for best performance. He needs to trade some performance for emissions.
Just throwing a little gasoline on the debate..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 63
From: Staten Island NY
I run a 160 and I installed a manual fan over-ride switch (see my website for details if interested).
I can keep the indicated temps below 190 on a 100 degree day stuck in traffic for hours. Also at the track on a warn day its noticable differance running a low temp. The t-stat itself does little.
I also like the idea of not having the engine bay cooking - even the air intake stays cool.
There are so many variables involved.
I can keep the indicated temps below 190 on a 100 degree day stuck in traffic for hours. Also at the track on a warn day its noticable differance running a low temp. The t-stat itself does little.
I also like the idea of not having the engine bay cooking - even the air intake stays cool.
There are so many variables involved.
Last edited by warren s; Mar 27, 2009 at 12:22 PM.