car running a little hot
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
From: brownsville tx
car running a little hot
i have 00 a4 c5. it has the 160 thermastat,and the first fan turns on at 170 and the second at 180 i believe. when i get on the expressway goin 60 the temp is at 198 then i go 65 it goes up to 201-202 and when i go 70 it goes to 205.when im driving in the city the temp can go up to 220 @ at light. this is with the ac on. i had the radiator flushed, put a new thermostat, checked that both fans are working. my only guess is that the water pump is bad? the car would never go over 190. wat do u guys think it is? thanx in advance
"AlohaC5" Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,562
Likes: 44
From: Madison, AL
Check the front of the radiator / AC condensor assembly for something blocking airflow since the C5 is a bottom breather and can suck up an amazing amount of stuff. People have pulled out paper and plastic bags, as well as leaves and other garbage. Anything like that will cut down the amount of cooling air through your radiator.
If you have any blockage, the system will get to that temp quicker, which sounds like your problem. The Stat controls the min temperature of your system. Even a low temp thermostat won't help if your system has air or coolant flow problems. They can be washed out or blown out from the reverse direction with either an air-wand or water wand of some sort.
If you have any blockage, the system will get to that temp quicker, which sounds like your problem. The Stat controls the min temperature of your system. Even a low temp thermostat won't help if your system has air or coolant flow problems. They can be washed out or blown out from the reverse direction with either an air-wand or water wand of some sort.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
From: brownsville tx
Check the front of the radiator / AC condensor assembly for something blocking airflow since the C5 is a bottom breather and can suck up an amazing amount of stuff. People have pulled out paper and plastic bags, as well as leaves and other garbage. Anything like that will cut down the amount of cooling air through your radiator.
If you have any blockage, the system will get to that temp quicker, which sounds like your problem. The Stat controls the min temperature of your system. Even a low temp thermostat won't help if your system has air or coolant flow problems. They can be washed out or blown out from the reverse direction with either an air-wand or water wand of some sort.
If you have any blockage, the system will get to that temp quicker, which sounds like your problem. The Stat controls the min temperature of your system. Even a low temp thermostat won't help if your system has air or coolant flow problems. They can be washed out or blown out from the reverse direction with either an air-wand or water wand of some sort.
i will check tonight
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
With a stock tune you aren't going to get it much cooler than that all the time.
As has been said.. most likely there is crap in the radiator fins. I used to have some pics I posted up from when I cleaned mine out but can't find them now. It looked fine on the car but was awful once I got it apart. My temps dropped from 220'ish with fans on all the time to 190's sitting still in 100* bumper to bumper traffic.. It was a world of difference but a pain in the a$$ to pull the radiator.
As has been said.. most likely there is crap in the radiator fins. I used to have some pics I posted up from when I cleaned mine out but can't find them now. It looked fine on the car but was awful once I got it apart. My temps dropped from 220'ish with fans on all the time to 190's sitting still in 100* bumper to bumper traffic.. It was a world of difference but a pain in the a$$ to pull the radiator.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
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
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
From: brownsville tx
i couldnt find anything blocking airflow... a friend of mine told me that it can be my cai...i have the mti ram air... it sits on top of the radiator strout...u can see how the strout is beeing pushed down a little cause of the weight of the cai... u guys think that could be it?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 20
From: boston mass
i couldnt find anything blocking airflow... a friend of mine told me that it can be my cai...i have the mti ram air... it sits on top of the radiator strout...u can see how the strout is beeing pushed down a little cause of the weight of the cai... u guys think that could be it?
you'll be surprised what comes down.
P.S. wear goggles
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,511
Likes: 1,186
From: Dyer, IN
i have 00 a4 c5. it has the 160 thermastat,and the first fan turns on at 170 and the second at 180 i believe. when i get on the expressway goin 60 the temp is at 198 then i go 65 it goes up to 201-202 and when i go 70 it goes to 205.when im driving in the city the temp can go up to 220 @ at light. this is with the ac on. i had the radiator flushed, put a new thermostat, checked that both fans are working. my only guess is that the water pump is bad? the car would never go over 190. wat do u guys think it is? thanx in advance
Pro
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 576
Likes: 6
From: St Louis Missouri
Do you have a guide on how to pull the radiator? I don't have a manual (need to get one) and think it's time to be done.
Check the front of the radiator / AC condensor assembly for something blocking airflow since the C5 is a bottom breather and can suck up an amazing amount of stuff. People have pulled out paper and plastic bags, as well as leaves and other garbage. Anything like that will cut down the amount of cooling air through your radiator.
If you have any blockage, the system will get to that temp quicker, which sounds like your problem. The Stat controls the min temperature of your system. Even a low temp thermostat won't help if your system has air or coolant flow problems. They can be washed out or blown out from the reverse direction with either an air-wand or water wand of some sort.
If you have any blockage, the system will get to that temp quicker, which sounds like your problem. The Stat controls the min temperature of your system. Even a low temp thermostat won't help if your system has air or coolant flow problems. They can be washed out or blown out from the reverse direction with either an air-wand or water wand of some sort.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
Likes: 502
From: Rio Rancho NM
I disagree on everything that was stated your car is fine. You want cooler temps get your fans reprogrammed with the new thermostat. Other then that she is fine and operating as if she came from the factory. It's summer time you will see higher temps. These cars are bottom feeders so you don't get fresh air into the radiator like other cars do.
FROM THE SERVICE MANUAL
C5 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).
FROM THE SERVICE MANUAL
C5 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).
Last edited by Chicago1; Jul 7, 2009 at 01:00 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
From: brownsville tx
I disagree on everything that was stated your car is fine. You want cooler temps get your fans reprogrammed with the new thermostat. Other then that she is fine and operating as if she came from the factory. It's summer time you will see higher temps. These cars are bottom feeders so you don't get fresh air into the radiator like other cars do.
FROM THE SERVICE MANUAL
C5 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).
FROM THE SERVICE MANUAL
C5 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).
but the thing is that it does it at night aswell and the temp outside was around 80*. plus it was alsways at around 185 before and out of nowhere the temp started to go up .the hottest my z (the other car)has gotten is 195 with the car just on not moving with the weather at 105*. i havent had a chance to disassemble everything to make sure there nothing stuck in there
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 5
From: Overland Park KS
Is that center piece of cowling is still intact below the radiator? Without it, the air doesn't get forced up into the radiator. Sounds like the radiator isn't getting enough air because the temps should climb when the car sits at a light but then go down as the car moves and more so once you reach highway speeds. Your car should run cooler at 70 mph than at 45 mph given the rpms are the same (tranny in different gear).