Are coolant temperature fluctuations normal?
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Are coolant temperature fluctuations normal?
Hi all,
I did some preliminary research on what coolant temperatures were considered normal as I felt that my c5z was running a little on the hotter side.
While highway driving I get temperatures from 190 to 200 F degrees.
However, in stop and go traffic around here, my temp climbs to about 226 to 230 F degrees.
I read a couple of previous forums and the temperatures all seem to be in the "normal" range. I have never ran into overheating issues, but I can't seem to convince myself that this is normal operating temperatures.
Are these fluctuations really that normal? Also, am I not on the hotter side of the temperature spectrum? I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks in advance!
I did some preliminary research on what coolant temperatures were considered normal as I felt that my c5z was running a little on the hotter side.
While highway driving I get temperatures from 190 to 200 F degrees.
However, in stop and go traffic around here, my temp climbs to about 226 to 230 F degrees.
I read a couple of previous forums and the temperatures all seem to be in the "normal" range. I have never ran into overheating issues, but I can't seem to convince myself that this is normal operating temperatures.
Are these fluctuations really that normal? Also, am I not on the hotter side of the temperature spectrum? I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks in advance!
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Thanks for feedback guys. I guess they are in the normal range, but I've just never had a car that fluctuated so much. Most cars I've had just stay stuck at one temperature (usually middle on gauge) and don't move much from there. I'm assuming with the corvettes being bottom feeders this might attribute to some fluctuations.
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None the less, I have never cleaned any cooling system components on my c5z so I will definitely put that on my bucket list.
What other parts would you be changing if you don't mind me asking? Thanks
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
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It depends on how hot it is "around here". In a warm to hot climate, 220-230 is not at all unusual when not moving or moving very slowly.
Look at it this way. The electric radiator fans do not come on until 226. Of course it is going to get about that hot.
Look at it this way. The electric radiator fans do not come on until 226. Of course it is going to get about that hot.
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Thanks for the reassurance, I seem to be overthinking the whole thing. Lol.
Melting Slicks
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Both the fluctuations and those temperatures are completely normal. Don't waste your time trying to fix something that isn't broken. The C5 was designed to run hot.
Of course you should make sure that the rad has no restrictions and/or buildup of junk underneath, but apart from that.......enjoy the car.
Of course you should make sure that the rad has no restrictions and/or buildup of junk underneath, but apart from that.......enjoy the car.
Last edited by Cybermind; Mar 4, 2016 at 05:36 AM.
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If you turn on the AC when the engine temps start climbing the cooling fans come on at 185 rather than 226 without the AC on. Unless your radiator fins are heavily clogged, the temps should stay below 230.
If the fins are plugged up then all bets are off as to how hot the car will get......
Paul 75 L82 stated in the thread I referenced above that he had the turn on temps for his cooling fans lowered from the factory defaults. So chances of his car getting to 230 are probably pretty small...
If the fins are plugged up then all bets are off as to how hot the car will get......
Paul 75 L82 stated in the thread I referenced above that he had the turn on temps for his cooling fans lowered from the factory defaults. So chances of his car getting to 230 are probably pretty small...
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Both the fluctuations and those temperatures are completely normal. Don't waste your time trying to fix something that isn't broken. The C5 was designed to run hot.
Of course you should make sure that the rad has no restrictions and/or buildup of junk underneath, but apart from that.......enjoy the car.
Of course you should make sure that the rad has no restrictions and/or buildup of junk underneath, but apart from that.......enjoy the car.
But the general consensus is that these temperatures and fluctuations are quite normal. Thanks for all the feedback!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
CLEANING THE RADIATOR:
There is a 1" space between the AC Condenser and the actual radiator. That space can and will get clogged with GRASS, DIRT, LINT, ect....
You have to remove the radiator to actually do a 100% job on proper cleaning the fins. You can try to BACK flush it with the direct stream of a garden hose. DO NOT USE A PRESSURE WASHER!!!!!!!!!!
Make sure that your antifreeze to water mixture is proper for your area. NO NEED to be protected to 50 Below Zero!
You can reprogram your fans to come on sooner and stay on longer.
You can get a colder thermostat. (which goes along with reprogram your fans to come on sooner and stay on longer.)
Make sure there isn't any trash in the air entry for the cooling system and all your air dams are in place and functional.
GM Changed the coolant cap relief pressure to 18 lbs. If you have an old cap, get a new 18 lb cap.
Bill
There is a 1" space between the AC Condenser and the actual radiator. That space can and will get clogged with GRASS, DIRT, LINT, ect....
You have to remove the radiator to actually do a 100% job on proper cleaning the fins. You can try to BACK flush it with the direct stream of a garden hose. DO NOT USE A PRESSURE WASHER!!!!!!!!!!
Make sure that your antifreeze to water mixture is proper for your area. NO NEED to be protected to 50 Below Zero!
You can reprogram your fans to come on sooner and stay on longer.
You can get a colder thermostat. (which goes along with reprogram your fans to come on sooner and stay on longer.)
Make sure there isn't any trash in the air entry for the cooling system and all your air dams are in place and functional.
GM Changed the coolant cap relief pressure to 18 lbs. If you have an old cap, get a new 18 lb cap.
Bill
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Mar 4, 2016 at 12:55 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: Round Rock Texas
Also mine has a small leak at the overflow container were the top hose connects. Replacement is $80.00.
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Are you sure we didn't buy the same car? Haha
Mine had a leak in the exact same spot, the plastic where the hose connected was pretty much toast and was just breaking away little by little. Got a sweet deal on a reservoir tank on CL, you should take a look every once in a while if it's something that might need replacement soon.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 232
From: Round Rock Texas
Good to know we're on the same page!
Are you sure we didn't buy the same car? Haha
Mine had a leak in the exact same spot, the plastic where the hose connected was pretty much toast and was just breaking away little by little. Got a sweet deal on a reservoir tank on CL, you should take a look every once in a while if it's something that might need replacement soon.
Are you sure we didn't buy the same car? Haha
Mine had a leak in the exact same spot, the plastic where the hose connected was pretty much toast and was just breaking away little by little. Got a sweet deal on a reservoir tank on CL, you should take a look every once in a while if it's something that might need replacement soon.
Hey since we are in same area you see a white white tan conv top it me!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
CLEANING THE RADIATOR:
There is a 1" space between the AC Condenser and the actual radiator. That space can and will get clogged with GRASS, DIRT, LINT, ect....
You have to remove the radiator to actually do a 100% job on proper cleaning the fins. You can try to BACK flush it with the direct stream of a garden hose. DO NOT USE A PRESSURE WASHER!!!!!!!!!!
Make sure that your antifreeze to water mixture is proper for your area. NO NEED to be protected to 50 Below Zero!
You can reprogram your fans to come on sooner and stay on longer.
You can get a colder thermostat. (which goes along with reprogram your fans to come on sooner and stay on longer.)
Make sure there isn't any trash in the air entry for the cooling system and all your air dams are in place and functional.
GM Changed the coolant cap relief pressure to 18 lbs. If you have an old cap, get a new 18 lb cap.
Bill
There is a 1" space between the AC Condenser and the actual radiator. That space can and will get clogged with GRASS, DIRT, LINT, ect....
You have to remove the radiator to actually do a 100% job on proper cleaning the fins. You can try to BACK flush it with the direct stream of a garden hose. DO NOT USE A PRESSURE WASHER!!!!!!!!!!
Make sure that your antifreeze to water mixture is proper for your area. NO NEED to be protected to 50 Below Zero!
You can reprogram your fans to come on sooner and stay on longer.
You can get a colder thermostat. (which goes along with reprogram your fans to come on sooner and stay on longer.)
Make sure there isn't any trash in the air entry for the cooling system and all your air dams are in place and functional.
GM Changed the coolant cap relief pressure to 18 lbs. If you have an old cap, get a new 18 lb cap.
Bill
SPOT ON