How hot does your LS2 engine coolant get?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16,684
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From: La Center WA
How hot does your LS2 engine coolant get?
I have a 2005 coupe with a completely stock LS2. I've owned the car since new and am 99% positive that the coolant temperature gauge (the round gauge in the instrument cluster, not the digital reading in the DIC) has always topped out at 190-195 degrees regardless of driving conditions. FWIW, I have not been in the habit of monitoring the coolant temperature on the DIC.
Today I noticed the analog gauge creeping up beyond 190 degrees while doing city driving as well as while driving steadily at slower speeds. When I noticed the analog pointer being higher than normal I began monitoring the coolant temperature via the DIC. Most of the time it varied from 190 to around 200, depending on my speed. When idling (with A/C OFF) it topped out at 214. The outside temperature varied from the 70s to the mid 80s.
My concern comes less from the actual numbers than it does from my belief that I think the numbers are different (higher) from how my car has normally run. Should I be concerned? What are your experiences with coolant temperatures in your LS2s?
Thanks.
Today I noticed the analog gauge creeping up beyond 190 degrees while doing city driving as well as while driving steadily at slower speeds. When I noticed the analog pointer being higher than normal I began monitoring the coolant temperature via the DIC. Most of the time it varied from 190 to around 200, depending on my speed. When idling (with A/C OFF) it topped out at 214. The outside temperature varied from the 70s to the mid 80s.
My concern comes less from the actual numbers than it does from my belief that I think the numbers are different (higher) from how my car has normally run. Should I be concerned? What are your experiences with coolant temperatures in your LS2s?
Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: The Beautiful Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
My LS2 has similar numbers as yours. Completely normal....no worries. I last changed coolant a couple of yeas ago and have put on about 20,000 miles on it since.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
In my LS2 the 'normal' temps run from around 190 to 215.
On 2 separate occasions while stuck/stopped on the freeway in 90+ degree weather and the AC on high, I've had the DIC display "Hot Engine Air Conditioning Off".
With the stereo blasting I noticed that the AC had shut off before I noticed the DIC, as I couldn't hear the beeps/dings. After traffic started moving again, the AC came back on and temps dropped.
In both cases the coolant temp was somewhere between 225-230 degrees. I rarely use the DIC for coolant temp. info.
I have never seen the "Coolant Over Temperature" and/or "Reduced Engine Power" DIC warnings.
I was aware of these possible conditions courtesy of the Owners Manual and wasn't really surprised when it actually happened. I was also secure in the knowledge that with the OEM coolant, it won't boil until 265 degrees.
My question for you Mike is, haven't you traded your car in for your new C7 yet?
On 2 separate occasions while stuck/stopped on the freeway in 90+ degree weather and the AC on high, I've had the DIC display "Hot Engine Air Conditioning Off".
With the stereo blasting I noticed that the AC had shut off before I noticed the DIC, as I couldn't hear the beeps/dings. After traffic started moving again, the AC came back on and temps dropped.
In both cases the coolant temp was somewhere between 225-230 degrees. I rarely use the DIC for coolant temp. info.
I have never seen the "Coolant Over Temperature" and/or "Reduced Engine Power" DIC warnings.
I was aware of these possible conditions courtesy of the Owners Manual and wasn't really surprised when it actually happened. I was also secure in the knowledge that with the OEM coolant, it won't boil until 265 degrees.
My question for you Mike is, haven't you traded your car in for your new C7 yet?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
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From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
U.S. Air Force
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I live in S Florida everyday in the high 90s, and never drive without A/C up and running on my 05 LS2, and mine read what yours does.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
214 is not unusual. The stock thermostat doesn't open until 187. The car has lots of warnings and will try to fix it for you if you really start overheating.
As far as changing, it will run hotter in the summer than spring and fall but check to see that you didn't suck up a Wal-Mart sack underneath. Check coolant level. If both of those look OK then it was probably just a hot day driving slow. Keep an eye on it but don't worry until you regularly stay in the 215 and above range.
As far as changing, it will run hotter in the summer than spring and fall but check to see that you didn't suck up a Wal-Mart sack underneath. Check coolant level. If both of those look OK then it was probably just a hot day driving slow. Keep an eye on it but don't worry until you regularly stay in the 215 and above range.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Long Island New York
In the summer, not pushing too hard but during spirited driving its usually 200-215. That's quite good i think considering its supercharged.
Would be interesting to see if the cars are Z51's or not. Mine is.
Would be interesting to see if the cars are Z51's or not. Mine is.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: La Center WA
Will do. I checked coolant last night and it was exactly where it should be but I didn't think to check for anything blocking underneath. Thanks for the tip.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
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C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Mine runs right around 200 while driving. If I get stuck in traffic it goes to 225-230 and the AC gets shut off at 235. Highs now are in the upper 90's/low 100's.
Nothing blocking air flow....I cleaned between Rad and AC condencer last week. Think I need to flush out the Rad as it has never been done. There was a lot of trash/dog hair on the Rad.
Nothing blocking air flow....I cleaned between Rad and AC condencer last week. Think I need to flush out the Rad as it has never been done. There was a lot of trash/dog hair on the Rad.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2013
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From: Akron Ohio
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yup my 05 coupe is also right around 200, but should oil an coolant temps be about the same ? because my oil temps are much higher.
on a hot day in traffic my oil temp is up around 280 while the coolant stays around 200 is that any cause for concern or normal as well?
on a hot day in traffic my oil temp is up around 280 while the coolant stays around 200 is that any cause for concern or normal as well?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 25,105
Likes: 3,156
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
yup my 05 coupe is also right around 200, but should oil an coolant temps be about the same ? because my oil temps are much higher.
on a hot day in traffic my oil temp is up around 280 while the coolant stays around 200 is that any cause for concern or normal as well?
on a hot day in traffic my oil temp is up around 280 while the coolant stays around 200 is that any cause for concern or normal as well?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,746
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From: Jupiter Fl
X2 Perfectly normal. FYI changing the temp sending unit may change your gauge readings since minor differences in the senders resistance will vary some what between the senders! 