Running warm
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Running warm
I've had my '97 C5 for a few months now. It seems to like to run warm anywhere between 190 to 220, even warmer on the track up to 230. Never had a problem with it overheating, but it seems too warm. I believe the stock thermostat is 185 or so. Should I be concerned? It's never leaked a drop of anything and never missed a lick. JC
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
I've had my '97 C5 for a few months now. It seems to like to run warm anywhere between 190 to 220, even warmer on the track up to 230. Never had a problem with it overheating, but it seems too warm. I believe the stock thermostat is 185 or so. Should I be concerned? It's never leaked a drop of anything and never missed a lick. JC
If you want to lower your operating temperature during low speed operation you can either turn on the A/C or purchase a hand held programmer so you can re-program your fan settings.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 326
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
1st--Even though the temp gauge may say 220* it probably isn't that hot---As a tuner I see that GM always makes their temp gauges read hotter than the real temp---With my data logger 99% of the time it verifies that a gauge reading 210* is really only about 198*--GM does this in a weak attempt to scare you into letting the car cool down and not beating on it--
Also if you want to get it to run even cooler--i would inatall a 160* themostat in place of stock---It won't run that cold but nicely around 180* on the freeway and 200* around town on a HOT day---BUT unless you get the fan turn on temps adjusted you'll get minimal results even with a thermo change----with a 160* they should be set something like #1 on at 195--off at 185-- # 2 on at 205 off at 196
Do you have an automatic ?? If so and it seems like you take it to the track--what are your tranny temps when racing or on a hot day around town ?? If they hover over 200* for a long time --that is a ticking time bomb to early trans failure---I know some easy things to help cool it down--just ask---
Also if you want to get it to run even cooler--i would inatall a 160* themostat in place of stock---It won't run that cold but nicely around 180* on the freeway and 200* around town on a HOT day---BUT unless you get the fan turn on temps adjusted you'll get minimal results even with a thermo change----with a 160* they should be set something like #1 on at 195--off at 185-- # 2 on at 205 off at 196
Do you have an automatic ?? If so and it seems like you take it to the track--what are your tranny temps when racing or on a hot day around town ?? If they hover over 200* for a long time --that is a ticking time bomb to early trans failure---I know some easy things to help cool it down--just ask---
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 98
Likes: 2
Here is a link that you might find informative. http://www.vincihiperformance.com/LS...amshaft%20Life! Long article but scroll down to bottom of page.
I will now head for my foxhole.
I will now head for my foxhole.
Last edited by C54ever; Jul 6, 2010 at 02:14 PM.
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,341
Likes: 5,232
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
It seems we get at least 1 "I'm running too hot" thread per day in the summer. The reality is: by design the C5 runs between 192 to 196 out on the open road and will get up to 230 in traffic. The secondary fan kicks on at 226. That is NORMAL.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
Likes: 501
From: Rio Rancho NM
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).
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).
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
That's exactly what I am experiencing. Thank you all for taking time to respond. All info was right on and very helpful. Doesn't look like I'll be sweating the high temps (no pun intended). JC
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 7
From: Bristol raceway area
Since "Evil-Twin" was an engineer of the C5 and recomends And uses a 160* t-stat for his own car to run cooler from heat, i will trust his expertise and knowledge. I have 160's in both of our cars and very satisfied with the improvement.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 326
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
in wet weather
( One of the reasons i'm told for hot 200-235* water temps)
But this is simply not true----check your engine oil temps--even on a cold day after running for 15 min or so-even if the coolant is 180* the oil temps can be as warm as 240* in city traffic !!! And i checked this VS a car with a stock thermo in a similar situation and the oil temp was virtually the same !!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 7
From: Bristol raceway area
Here is a link that you might find informative. http://www.vincihiperformance.com/LS...amshaft%20Life! Long article but scroll down to bottom of page.
I will now head for my foxhole.
I will now head for my foxhole.
Last edited by Rebel 1; Jul 8, 2010 at 04:04 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
RE: the "article" concerning "engine coolant temps", i had to shake my head and laugh because these are opinions that have little merit. Statements should be disregarded when someone doesn't know that the computer pulls timing at 200*+ degrees and hurts horsepower and compares a ford with "lo and hi" marked on the temp gauge with lines in between showing all is well with the temp as long as the needle is in the lines. They refer to people wanting to run 165-180* with the vette as "old timers" who don't know about modern engines. It is also an old wives tale that a cooler running engine doesn't "burn off condensation", because oil temps still go up. "Evil-Twin"(C5 engineer) runs a 160* stat in his own car. I doubt if Anyone here thinks he is an "old timer"? Most "Tuners" require/ recommend 160 stats with their tunes. GM started installing high temp stats years ago for the Feds and emissions.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...post1557142528
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 7
From: Bristol raceway area
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
REDLINE "Water Wetter" is a surfactant and helps stabilize water temperatures as well as lubricate the water pump...
http://www.redlineoil.com/Products.aspx?pcid=10
Here's what a surfactant does (I didn't know what it did, either)...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfactant
That poor horse always takes a beating in warmer weather.
http://www.redlineoil.com/Products.aspx?pcid=10
Here's what a surfactant does (I didn't know what it did, either)...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfactant
That poor horse always takes a beating in warmer weather.
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,341
Likes: 5,232
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
REDLINE "Water Wetter" is a surfactant and helps stabilize water temperatures as well as lubricate the water pump...
http://www.redlineoil.com/Products.aspx?pcid=10
Here's what a surfactant does (I didn't know what it did, either)...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfactant
That poor horse always takes a beating in warmer weather.
http://www.redlineoil.com/Products.aspx?pcid=10
Here's what a surfactant does (I didn't know what it did, either)...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfactant
That poor horse always takes a beating in warmer weather.
Actually I do use Water Wetter in all my cars and you may go down a couple of degrees. Unfortunately, it is most effective with straight water and is used in racing applications. Our radiators need the protection that anti-freeze provides and in colder climates cars that sit outside need the anti-freeze protection.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
http://www.redlineoil.com/Products.aspx?pcid=10
Quote:
* Reduces or eliminates bubbles or vapor barrier that form on hot metal surfaces to reduce coolant temperatures by up to 20°
* Superior heat transfer properties compared to glycol-based antifreeze
* Compatible with new or used antifreeze (including DEX-COOL and long-life versions) to improve the heat transfer of ethylene and propylene glycol systems
* Improves heat transfer and reduces cylinder head temperature
Quote:
* Reduces or eliminates bubbles or vapor barrier that form on hot metal surfaces to reduce coolant temperatures by up to 20°
* Superior heat transfer properties compared to glycol-based antifreeze
* Compatible with new or used antifreeze (including DEX-COOL and long-life versions) to improve the heat transfer of ethylene and propylene glycol systems
* Improves heat transfer and reduces cylinder head temperature