Engine Temperature
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 127
Likes: 6
Engine Temperature
This past weekend was the my first time in serious traffic, and the engine temperature increased to 220degF, while the transmission temperature increase to 203degF. I pulled over to check under the hood and the radiator fan did not appear to be running or could not be heard over the engine noise.
What is the temperature setpoint that should actuate the fan, and shouldn't the fan run when the AC is on regardless of engine temperature? What is the a normal engine temperature range, and will the 203degF transmission temperature cause damage?
What is the temperature setpoint that should actuate the fan, and shouldn't the fan run when the AC is on regardless of engine temperature? What is the a normal engine temperature range, and will the 203degF transmission temperature cause damage?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
This past weekend was the my first time in serious traffic, and the engine temperature increased to 220degF, while the transmission temperature increase to 203degF. I pulled over to check under the hood and the radiator fan did not appear to be running or could not be heard over the engine noise.
What is the temperature setpoint that should actuate the fan, and shouldn't the fan run when the AC is on regardless of engine temperature? What is the a normal engine temperature range, and will the 203degF transmission temperature cause damage?
What is the temperature setpoint that should actuate the fan, and shouldn't the fan run when the AC is on regardless of engine temperature? What is the a normal engine temperature range, and will the 203degF transmission temperature cause damage?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,108
Likes: 1,609
From: Edmond Oklahoma
I agree with Shopdog that 220 is not excessive. It really gets hot here in Oklahoma and I would run about 220 to 225 in heavy trafic or in parades in the summer. When I added the longtubes and CAI I installed a 160 thermostat. I had a dyno tune to get everything in harmony. Never gets over about 190 even on the hottest 108 summer days. Usually runs about 180 in normal outside air temp. I feel better just looking at the temp gage. The stat is about $15 to $20 and takes about an hour to install. Worked for me. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 279
From: Muscle Shoals, AL
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
I had about the same temps one day at the Eureka Springs weekend a couple years back. Onstar connected me to the closest Chevy dealer
(where we have the AutoCross). They said that was not excessive, and if there was any problem, I'd get a warning on the DIC. It didn't cause any problems, even though I thought it was high.
(where we have the AutoCross). They said that was not excessive, and if there was any problem, I'd get a warning on the DIC. It didn't cause any problems, even though I thought it was high.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 1
From: Hollywood FL
I installed a 160 thermostat. I had a dyno tune to get everything in harmony. Never gets over about 190 even on the hottest 108 summer days. Usually runs about 180 in normal outside air temp. I feel better just looking at the temp gage. The stat is about $15 to $20 and takes about an hour to install. Worked for me.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 127
Likes: 6
Does the fan run when the AC is on, even if the engine temperature is OK. Should the fan be heard over the engine noise?
On every other vehicle I've had with an electric fan, the fan noise could be easily heard over the engine noise.
On every other vehicle I've had with an electric fan, the fan noise could be easily heard over the engine noise.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
The fan isn't loud. I can hear it echoing off the wall at the fast food drive thru with the window down the radio off, and engine at idle. With the windows up, or with the radio on, or at any engine speed other than idle, you can't hear the fan from the driver's seat.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 127
Likes: 6
I guess I'll have to take the car to the dealer. At the 220degF coolant temperature, I couldn't hear the fan or feel air movement at a point in front of the passenger side cylinder head.
