Engine Temperature Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 194
Likes: 1
From: Moon, VA
Engine Temperature Question
Hi,
I just bought this 2001 Corvette Coupe with 59K miles from a guy in Maryland. I drove it home, about 140 miles, which was mostly uneventful.
The next morning I drove it to my town, going 25 mph or so, and noticed the temperature gauge above the 220 degree mark. It was cool outside, about 50 degrees or so, so the high temperature came as a shock. It got as high as 236 degrees before the thermostat started working, and it fell to around 200 degrees. Is this normal?
Once the car cooled down, I went for a cruise at 55-60 mph and the temperature gauge stayed at 220. Is this anything I need to worry about? If I need to replace the thermostat, should I stay with stock temperature or go with a cooler one?
Seth Anderson
Moon, VA
I just bought this 2001 Corvette Coupe with 59K miles from a guy in Maryland. I drove it home, about 140 miles, which was mostly uneventful.
The next morning I drove it to my town, going 25 mph or so, and noticed the temperature gauge above the 220 degree mark. It was cool outside, about 50 degrees or so, so the high temperature came as a shock. It got as high as 236 degrees before the thermostat started working, and it fell to around 200 degrees. Is this normal?
Once the car cooled down, I went for a cruise at 55-60 mph and the temperature gauge stayed at 220. Is this anything I need to worry about? If I need to replace the thermostat, should I stay with stock temperature or go with a cooler one?
Seth Anderson
Moon, VA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,245
Likes: 25
From: Blue Ridge Georgia
I would start off with cleaning the rad and the AC condenser. If the air can't get thru then it can't cool. If that doesn't help then a new rad, they aren't that costly and it's good insurance.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,109
Likes: 4,137
From: Kannapolis NC
It most likely wasn't that the thermostat started working, it was that the fans came on. Both fans will run when idling or speeds under 35 mph when the temp reaches 236 degrees (high speed mode) or you turn on the a/c (which forces the fans on at lower temps). As said, the most likely cause is debris on the front of the a/c condenser and between the condenser and the radiator. Take a flash light and look up at the space between the two and look how much has been sucked up in there.
Last edited by 65GGvert; Apr 8, 2014 at 07:16 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 128
From: Orlando Florida
Mine gets that hot but it cools down pretty quickly when I get moving. I agree that you should take a look and see it the radiator is clogged up with leaves etc. also check the coolant level
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Also, in 50*F ambient, as long as I'm rolling I've never had the temps climb until the high speed fans came on.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Not sure if you mean the car or the radiator. However, when we did a cam in a friends low mileage car, which was a clean well maintained car, we were really surprised to see the amount of sand and dirt what otherwise appeared to be a clean radiator. Fortunately for us, the radiator was out of the car and easy to inspect.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,109
Likes: 4,137
From: Kannapolis NC
Cleanliness has nothing to do with it. Stuff gets sucked up from the air dam and into the radiator fins, like mowed grass, McDonalds bags, leaves, etc. It's disappointing that you ask for advice, get the same advice from several people and then discount it as, "I doubt it". Take a look up there. It shouldn't be getting that hot in the conditions you described. IF it's clogged partially, you'll find a serious problem in hot weather, stuck in traffic that you wish you hadn't ignored.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 194
Likes: 1
From: Moon, VA
I added some coolant to the reservoir, and it took 3/4 gallon to top off the reservoir, then it ran cool. I guess the water pump is starting to leak, and at 59K miles, it is time for a change. I also had a couple of lean codes come up, P0171 and P0174, so I am going to look for a vacuum leak. I did look at the radiator using a mirror with a stick and the radiator looked clean.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
1. Buy a new radiator pressure cap.
2. Change the coolant to fresh 50/50% of distilled and DexCool and burp the system.
3. Check the hoses
4. Make sure your t-stat is working.
5. Make sure your water pump is working.
6. Make sure the space between the radiator and the A/C condenser is
clean and clear.
When done with the above, get back to us.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 108
From: Ocala, Fl. State of Confusion
I replaced the stock 195 degree thermostat with a 160 degree one about 9-10 years ago and mine never gets over 200. On the hottest Florida summer days, mine stays right around 190 degrees. On the cooler 40-60 degree days, it is around 180 degrees. Just a thought.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,373
Likes: 423
And when it goes down to -4?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 194
Likes: 1
From: Moon, VA
Removed the Radiator Shroud and found this
Hi,
I decided to remove the shroud to check the radiator and it was full of small rocks just larger than grains of sand, straw, pine needles, feathers, a small piece of wood, hair, and a host of other junk, especially on the radiator condenser. I started out by blowing compressed air and it was amazing how much junk same out. After blowing both the radiator and condenser several times with compressed air, I then went over with it with my electric pressure washer on the lowest setting, which removed even more debris.
On another note, I was really surprised how small the radiator is for such a powerful engine. I think down the road I am going to upgrade to a 2 core radiator, or possibly an aluminum one.
I decided to remove the shroud to check the radiator and it was full of small rocks just larger than grains of sand, straw, pine needles, feathers, a small piece of wood, hair, and a host of other junk, especially on the radiator condenser. I started out by blowing compressed air and it was amazing how much junk same out. After blowing both the radiator and condenser several times with compressed air, I then went over with it with my electric pressure washer on the lowest setting, which removed even more debris.
On another note, I was really surprised how small the radiator is for such a powerful engine. I think down the road I am going to upgrade to a 2 core radiator, or possibly an aluminum one.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 50
From: Goldsboro NC
No need to upgrade. Car is stock right? Just clean it! It also sounds like your losing coolant somewhere. Also IMO get RID of that dex cool. Yea yea people will say if you maintain it there wont be a problem. Well guess what id rather not worry about. EVER! That junk turns to mud. Good ole ethylene glycol.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,507
Likes: 9
Why is it that people want these engines to run at temps engines did in the 1970's?? Most modern V8's run in the 200 degree range NORMALLY, heck the fans in the C5 don't even start to come on till the mid 220's.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 50
From: Goldsboro NC
Aw come on man. You know its all to do with emissions. AHH the government!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 778
Likes: 1
From: Chantilly VA
Last spring all of the sudden, my 02 (80k miles) just started over heating one day. Just as if the stat had frozen shut. I finally found that the coolant turned to mud. I think age is more important than mileage. I would recommend that you flush the system to clear everything out. Then put in new coolant. I had replaced the stat, checked all the fans, burped it, still over heating. Flushed and new coolant. Everything good again. 
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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looks like you found the problem, have you driven the car to see what the temps are now?... I bought a tool called a radiator genie for about $30, it comes with one for compressed air and one for a water hose... basically it fits in the tight areas to blow out the debris from the radiator/condenser without having to remove them from the car