How to get engine temps cooler?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 639
Likes: 28
From: Wytheville Virginia
How to get engine temps cooler?
Stock 02 targa top base, temps when driving on highway stay around 200F city 220 230F I just replaced fresh coolant in it last fall, what are some more things i can do to get lower temps. All help is appreciated
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 142
From: Iowa
Agreed, the temps are normal.
The fans turn on at low speed with AC on at 185F and change to high speed at 194F. The fans turn on at low speed with AC off at 226F and change to high speed at 235F. The fans turn off at 35mph.
To change these results, you can turn the fans on earlier with custom programming. Or, change the radiator to something like the DeWitts or Ron Davis and use SPAL fans.
The fans turn on at low speed with AC on at 185F and change to high speed at 194F. The fans turn on at low speed with AC off at 226F and change to high speed at 235F. The fans turn off at 35mph.
To change these results, you can turn the fans on earlier with custom programming. Or, change the radiator to something like the DeWitts or Ron Davis and use SPAL fans.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 5,277
Likes: 509
I have a C6 GS A6. My engine oil always seemed to run 30-40 F higher than water & trans. At the track it was much worse +275. It was expensive, but I had oil coolers added. Now oil stays about same as water on highway. Track get just a bit hotter, maybe 20F over water.
Max hwy oil temp now is about 205-210F.
Max hwy oil temp now is about 205-210F.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
That's funny. Since new, my Z has always run between 190-200. Now, with it heavily modded; still 190-200 with stock cooling. Maybe you could check the usual C5 bugaboo, the area between the radiator, and air cond. compressor. It attracts all sorts of trash, and cannot be seen without some work. They used to sell screens that kept all those leaves and such out of that area.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
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From: SF Bay Area
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 96
Likes: 23
From: Newton Iowa
No it will just open thermostat earlier. If you don't program the fans to come on earlier the in town driving temps will be the same. The best thing is to keep radiator clean as earlier mentioned. C5 is a bottom feeder for cooling and they can get pretty dirty and cause high temps. Tusmi just beat me to the punch.
Last edited by BHauber; May 10, 2018 at 03:30 PM.
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Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 300
Likes: 34
From: Bella Vista, AR
Make sure your AC condenser isn't blocked with crud sucked up from the street. That will impede air flow and raise temps. My highway temps run consistent between 199-201. Stopped at a long red light or heavy traffic my temps can rise to +220 until the fans kick in and bring it down.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 3,929
From: Philadelphia PA (Birthplace of the USA, UNESCO World Heritage City)
Buy a 2 row, all aluminum radiator on ebay for around $150:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...iator&LH_BIN=1
Make sure it's full aluminum, not the ones with plastic sides.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...iator&LH_BIN=1
Make sure it's full aluminum, not the ones with plastic sides.
Last edited by ArmchairArchitect; May 10, 2018 at 03:39 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 41
Likes: 4
From: Fullerton CA.
Agreed with above about normal temps. Please make sure your center Air dam is there. You'd be surprised how many people remove them because of the constant scraping on driveways, but its there to take a beating. It will truly keep your engine cooler while the car is in motion. When sitting in traffic or at a long red light on a warmer type day, you will see your temp creep up, it's normal, but when you get going again that Air Dam directs the air up into your condenser and radiator to cool it down.
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
, have the fan settings adjusted and you're good to go
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 90
Likes: 10
I agree in regards to radiator being partially plugged with years of road debris. Get it on a lift and look at the very top of the outer surface. My 99 with 63000 miles had a full 3 inches of crud at the top of the core.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 639
Likes: 28
From: Wytheville Virginia
That's funny. Since new, my Z has always run between 190-200. Now, with it heavily modded; still 190-200 with stock cooling. Maybe you could check the usual C5 bugaboo, the area between the radiator, and air cond. compressor. It attracts all sorts of trash, and cannot be seen without some work. They used to sell screens that kept all those leaves and such out of that area.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
In answer to the question, things to do:
1. Clean your radiator, well....pull it out.
2. Change your radiator cap to a new pressure cap.
3. Check your hoses....simple and cheap.
4. Check your water pump...make sure you are getting a good flow.
5. Change to a 160 T-stat.
My temps run between 170 and 196 depending on traffic or highway and the time of the year. In South Florida, we have 9 months of summer and heavy traffic everywhere.
1. Clean your radiator, well....pull it out.
2. Change your radiator cap to a new pressure cap.
3. Check your hoses....simple and cheap.
4. Check your water pump...make sure you are getting a good flow.
5. Change to a 160 T-stat.
My temps run between 170 and 196 depending on traffic or highway and the time of the year. In South Florida, we have 9 months of summer and heavy traffic everywhere.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 639
Likes: 28
From: Wytheville Virginia
Agreed with above about normal temps. Please make sure your center Air dam is there. You'd be surprised how many people remove them because of the constant scraping on driveways, but its there to take a beating. It will truly keep your engine cooler while the car is in motion. When sitting in traffic or at a long red light on a warmer type day, you will see your temp creep up, it's normal, but when you get going again that Air Dam directs the air up into your condenser and radiator to cool it down.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 639
Likes: 28
From: Wytheville Virginia