230 degree coolant temps... concern?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 576
Likes: 6
From: St Louis Missouri
230 degree coolant temps... concern?
This seems way too hot to me... Normally while moving the coolant temp is around 195-200. I was parked in a parking lot letting it idle in high humidity 90 degree weather and the temp got up to 230, the fans kicked on and droped it back to 225-220 ish, but it consistantly lets the radiator temps get up to 215-220 when idling stopped for extended periods of time.
Are my gut feelings that this is way to hot right? I'm thinking it's time to replace the thermostat with a cooler, maybe 160, or 180 degree replacement. Opinions?
Are my gut feelings that this is way to hot right? I'm thinking it's time to replace the thermostat with a cooler, maybe 160, or 180 degree replacement. Opinions?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,376
Likes: 4
From: Hershey, PA, USA
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
you'll also wanna retune it to have the fans kick on sooner if you do put a lower thermostat in.
it's been awhile since i rode in a mostly stock c5, my buddy just picked up an 04 and i forgot that they ran that hot, i about had a heart attack when i seen the gauge up at 220...
it's been awhile since i rode in a mostly stock c5, my buddy just picked up an 04 and i forgot that they ran that hot, i about had a heart attack when i seen the gauge up at 220...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
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From: Rio Rancho NM
This seems way too hot to me... Normally while moving the coolant temp is around 195-200. I was parked in a parking lot letting it idle in high humidity 90 degree weather and the temp got up to 230, the fans kicked on and droped it back to 225-220 ish, but it consistantly lets the radiator temps get up to 215-220 when idling stopped for extended periods of time.
Are my gut feelings that this is way to hot right? I'm thinking it's time to replace the thermostat with a cooler, maybe 160, or 180 degree replacement. Opinions?
Are my gut feelings that this is way to hot right? I'm thinking it's time to replace the thermostat with a cooler, maybe 160, or 180 degree replacement. Opinions?
Normal temps so no need for concern I'll see if I can fins the fan info that i used to have. You have to remember these cars are designed to run hot from the factory and these are also bottom feeder cars no air is being directly shoved into the radiator like others vehicles. You can get a lower thermostat and reprgram the fans after that if you want to run cooler but either way your car is fine.
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 12:50 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 576
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From: St Louis Missouri
Thanks to all for the replies. It just seemed hot to me.
I smell something that almost smells like oil burning when it gets that hot. But the car doesn't "use" oil excessively. 3,000 miles and less than 1/2 a quart with agressive driving.
The brake reservoir does puke on its self from time to time... but remains full... (No idea why, cap looks good) Its possible this is what I'm smelling.
Should faint smell like oil spilled on the engine bother me when the temps reach 220-230? Any problematic spots I should check that are prone to produce such a smell?
I smell something that almost smells like oil burning when it gets that hot. But the car doesn't "use" oil excessively. 3,000 miles and less than 1/2 a quart with agressive driving.
The brake reservoir does puke on its self from time to time... but remains full... (No idea why, cap looks good) Its possible this is what I'm smelling.
Should faint smell like oil spilled on the engine bother me when the temps reach 220-230? Any problematic spots I should check that are prone to produce such a smell?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 145
Likes: 5
From: Melbourne FL
Mine was doing the exact same thing. Last week i the car to a tuner and he reset the temp on the fans to a lower temp and the car has been great ever since. I also had him change the CL speed to 255 and eliminate the 1-4 shift issue. The whole thing came to $75 money well spent
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Spring Tx
When i did my cam swap, i found my radiator and condenser surface area of about 20-25% was covered in debris (leavers/dirt/pine needles, etc). Car only has 30k miles on it... something to consider. Took about 30 minutes with air and water to get it out.
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
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This seems way too hot to me... Normally while moving the coolant temp is around 195-200. I was parked in a parking lot letting it idle in high humidity 90 degree weather and the temp got up to 230, the fans kicked on and droped it back to 225-220 ish, but it consistantly lets the radiator temps get up to 215-220 when idling stopped for extended periods of time.
Are my gut feelings that this is way to hot right? I'm thinking it's time to replace the thermostat with a cooler, maybe 160, or 180 degree replacement. Opinions?
Are my gut feelings that this is way to hot right? I'm thinking it's time to replace the thermostat with a cooler, maybe 160, or 180 degree replacement. Opinions?
About your master cylinder leaking - you need a new cap - you can' tell if it's bad by looking.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 117
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c5 corvette miami
This seems way too hot to me... Normally while moving the coolant temp is around 195-200. I was parked in a parking lot letting it idle in high humidity 90 degree weather and the temp got up to 230, the fans kicked on and droped it back to 225-220 ish, but it consistantly lets the radiator temps get up to 215-220 when idling stopped for extended periods of time.
Are my gut feelings that this is way to hot right? I'm thinking it's time to replace the thermostat with a cooler, maybe 160, or 180 degree replacement. Opinions?
Are my gut feelings that this is way to hot right? I'm thinking it's time to replace the thermostat with a cooler, maybe 160, or 180 degree replacement. Opinions?
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Cooler thermostat is not really necessary and, without having the fan turn on temps adjusted to come on at a cooler temp, will not help for extended idle time. ie it will still reach the 230 or so mark but may take half a minute or so longer to get there.
I have the stock thermostat in my 04 but the low speed fan turn on temp is set to 207. Even in the 100 + temps in Tucson this time of year, I have not seen an engine temp above 207 even sitting in traffic.
Factory settings are low speed turn on at 226 and turn off at 219. High speed turn on temp at 235 and turn off at 226. If you turn on the AC the fans come on much sooner at about 185.
I have the stock thermostat in my 04 but the low speed fan turn on temp is set to 207. Even in the 100 + temps in Tucson this time of year, I have not seen an engine temp above 207 even sitting in traffic.
Factory settings are low speed turn on at 226 and turn off at 219. High speed turn on temp at 235 and turn off at 226. If you turn on the AC the fans come on much sooner at about 185.
