HELP...Engine temperature too hot???

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Aug 27, 2003 | 09:15 AM

STANGKLLER

Thread Starter

Heel & Toe

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 15

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From: fishkill ny

HELP...Engine temperature too hot???

I have a 98 with 80k on it. In stop and go traffic my engine temps average out between 225-230 before the fans kick in, it lowers to 217.At highway speeds the temp averages about 214 and does not go any lower than 207. Mods in this car as follows; New water pump, new low temp stat 160', tranny cooler, Vortex rammer and cut the foglight inserts and also cut four inches on each side of the hood seals, this mod seemed to have helped a small bit at highway speeds. Are these engine temps normal? or is this car running hot? I have read in this forum some members say thier cars are running at around 190's, this seams pretty low to me. A friend suggested I have the fans turned on at a lower temp, will this work? One more thing, the high numbers of these temperature readings are reached very quickly after just starting the vehicle. Any help would be appreciated. :smash:

Aug 27, 2003 | 10:06 AM

ICULUKN-C5

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 7,064

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From: Arizona

Re: HELP...Engine temperature too hot??? (STANGKLLER)

Your temps are normal...

Unless you lowered your fan temp with LS1 edit your 160 thermo is not doing much more than stock since your fans are still coming on at the same time. You can get a vinci fan controller that will also help if you dont want to do the LS1 edit thing.

My car runs at 190 because I have a 4 core Ron Davis Race radiator & 160 thermo. I still see temps of 210 in the summer, but I live in AZ.

Aug 27, 2003 | 10:07 AM

Special K

Safety Car

Joined: Jun 2003

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From: Sunshine State

Re: HELP...Engine temperature too hot??? (STANGKLLER)

In Texas heat I have a Hypertech 160. Interstate driving 80/85 MPH I'm running 178/180 engine temp. Fans shut off at 185. I think you have a radiator problem. Hopefully a good cleaning will fix it.

Bob
:flag

Aug 27, 2003 | 03:46 PM

vstella

Le Mans Master

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 7,294

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From: Coral Springs Florida

Re: HELP...Engine temperature too hot??? (STANGKLLER)

FWIW......My car runs in the 190-201 range without the A/C and 205-221 with the A/C on..This is not accep[table for me so I am installing a BECOOL radiator and water wetter with a 160 t-stat. BUT...I also have a VORTEX and I believe that unit blocks a considerable area of the radiator and that can be a reason for th high temps as well. I would give the radiaitor a good high pressure cleaning and go from ther..you may just have some congestion on the fins ....maybe some leaves stuck up in there..Good Luck:D

Aug 29, 2003 | 04:18 PM

FKING1

Safety Car

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 3,814

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From: Dearborn Heights Michigan

Re: HELP...Engine temperature too hot??? (vstella)

According to Chevrolet, the normal operating temp for an LS1 is 200-210. 1st fan is programmed to come on at 225-235 & 2nd with A/C or very high temp. I have 178 stat & Vinci Fan Controller, Red Line Water Wetter & car runs at 183 unless in traffic & rarely goes over 195.
Fred K.

Aug 29, 2003 | 04:56 PM

Evil-Twin

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 21,325

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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA

St. Jude Donor '03-'04

Re: HELP...Engine temperature too hot??? (STANGKLLER)

80,000 miles.. ? I have your fix... jack up the front of your car... there are two not one radiator type devices.. one is the radiator the other is the airconditioning condensor.. they sit piggy back to each other with onlt about two inches between them... everyone looks up under their car and see leaves and debris , plastic bags etc sticking to the radiator...they look up right where the front spoiler is.. and they clean that out.. but behind that spoiler and behind the radiator is the condensor.. and behind that are the fans... few people take the time to clean the other... the fans draw air through both radiator type devices... if you only clean the front one... you will not get much air circulation.. when I cleaned the second one.. I removed so much crap... it looked like a crabbed a hand full of stuff from a vacuum cleaner bag,.. I used a deatil brush on an eighteen inch dowel.. and I made an air blow nossle from a piece of copper pipe.. there is less than two inches of clearance but it needs to be cleaned...

Aug 29, 2003 | 06:06 PM

carpe dm

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 1999

Posts: 8,205

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From: Tucson AZ

Re: HELP...Engine temperature too hot??? (STANGKLLER)

:iagree: Cleaning is a good idea, as is some kind of screen to keep the junk out! I always run 194-196 on the road; your temps seem a little high, but not harmful. :)

Aug 29, 2003 | 06:36 PM

FunDriver

Le Mans Master

Joined: Apr 2001

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From: Ex-SF Bay Area; now happily Denver area

Re: HELP...Engine temperature too hot??? (carpe dm)

I always ran 192 until addings some mods, etc. and now I always run 194 unless in stop and go traffic on hot days. Even then, after getting the car moving on the freeway it will always come down to 194. I have a 180 thermostat but it doesn't help because I haven't lowered the fan temp for turn-on. I've had it hit 227 at times on hot days but turning on the air will usually drop that some.

To me it looks like you're running a little hot since at a normal speed you are still high. I think that there is a problem...like a constricted radiator, etc. but at least it's not running dangerously high all the time.