2008 Engine Temp
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 332
Likes: 24
From: Denton, TX My goal in life is to be as good of a person that my dog already thinks I am.
2008 Engine Temp
I have a 2008 Z51 and changed out the thermostat. I noticed before the temps would run between 198 - 205. With a new AC Delco thermostat it's running between 205 - 207. Is this normal?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 650
Likes: 219
From: Lake Worth FL
No, the thermostat is designed to restrict the flow until the engine reaches a certain temp, then go to full flow. The normal operating temperature of the engine should not be effected with a new thermostat no matter the trigger temperature. On the other hand, a couple of degrees could just be the difference in ambient temperatures between different days (or different times of day). Your temps seem pretty similar to mine (I also have an 08 Z51).
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,918
Likes: 2,328
From: Etobicoke (Toronto) Ontario
Did you drain the coolant to swap out the Tstat. and if so did you bleed the system after refilling it? On the highway, I run at around 198 in cool weather, with a stock AC Delco Tstat.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 650
Likes: 219
From: Lake Worth FL
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 873
From: Bay Area CA
The 2008 LS3 has a 187* T-stat. That means at 187* F, the t-stat starts to slowly open allowing coolant to flow. Some t-stats open at a different rate or take longer to open completely. However, 187* t-stat should be opened fully when coolant temps have reached 197*. Did the t-stat you install have a stamped temperature rating on it of 187*?
My 2008 LS3 with Z51 at 60*F ambient temps on the highway would range 192* - 198* F.
If the t-stat is correct, I suspect you might have air bubble trapped.
Whenever I change coolant and after the initial fill of coolant, I will leave the reservoir cap off and bring the engine up to around 2200 rpm steady for a couple of minutes which allows trapped air to surface out. I never needed to the burb a coolant hose following this method.
My 2008 LS3 with Z51 at 60*F ambient temps on the highway would range 192* - 198* F.
If the t-stat is correct, I suspect you might have air bubble trapped.
Whenever I change coolant and after the initial fill of coolant, I will leave the reservoir cap off and bring the engine up to around 2200 rpm steady for a couple of minutes which allows trapped air to surface out. I never needed to the burb a coolant hose following this method.
Last edited by Mike's LS3; Apr 4, 2019 at 03:23 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 215
From: Dallas, Tx
The 2008 LS3 has a 187* T-stat. That means at 187* F, the t-stat starts to slowly open allowing coolant to flow. Some t-stats open at a different rate or take longer to open completely. However, 187* t-stat should be opened fully when coolant temps have reached 197*. Did the t-stat you install have a stamped temperature rating on it of 187*?
My 2008 LS3 with Z51 at 60*F ambient temps on the highway would range 192* - 198* F.
If the t-stat is correct, I suspect you might have air bubble trapped.
Whenever I change coolant and after the initial fill of coolant, I will leave the reservoir cap off and bring the engine up to around 2200 rpm steady for a couple of minutes which allows trapped air to surface out. I never needed to the burb a coolant hose following this method.
My 2008 LS3 with Z51 at 60*F ambient temps on the highway would range 192* - 198* F.
If the t-stat is correct, I suspect you might have air bubble trapped.
Whenever I change coolant and after the initial fill of coolant, I will leave the reservoir cap off and bring the engine up to around 2200 rpm steady for a couple of minutes which allows trapped air to surface out. I never needed to the burb a coolant hose following this method.