Potential heating problem
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Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 66
Likes: 7
From: Las Vegas
Potential heating problem
I have a 2005 C6. About 2 1/2 years ago the radiator was replaced. Last year the water pump and radiator hoses were replaced. The outside temperature here in the day is around 63F. I’ve noticed my temperature gauge is just around 210, definitely warmer than it has been. Any ideas as to what may be causing this? I also had an oil change about 2 months ago though I haven’t checked my fluid levels which I’ll go tomorrow. Unfortunately where I park is sloped so I can’t get an accurate measurement until I get to work tomorrow.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,502
Likes: 3,629
Normal temps for the C6 is between 210~220 degrees.
My guess, someone installed a 160* T stat before, now has the standard 180* stat with new water pump, and everything back to normal.
And just a note, the 160 T stat would open sooner, to have the engine slightly cooler when not on the motor, but when on the motor, temp would come back to norm.
So with 160 t stat, engine temps are lower when just crusing the motor, but will go back up to normal temps when you get on the motor.
And the norm part of motor oil at 210~220, is because water does not boil until 212, meaning all the humidity in the air that the oil will suck out of it to have water in the oil when it cools back down, does not get boiled back out the oil until the oil does get back up to 212. So motor at lower than 212, mean that the water is just building up in the oil, not being boiled back off, and will cause problems over time.
Simply, mobile one oil does not have problems until the oil temp starts to exceed 260*, and why the new motor that run synthetic oil, run at higher temps to being with. So nothing wrong going on, and its just with the higher opening rate T stat, all is back to normal with engine oil temps.
My guess, someone installed a 160* T stat before, now has the standard 180* stat with new water pump, and everything back to normal.
And just a note, the 160 T stat would open sooner, to have the engine slightly cooler when not on the motor, but when on the motor, temp would come back to norm.
So with 160 t stat, engine temps are lower when just crusing the motor, but will go back up to normal temps when you get on the motor.
And the norm part of motor oil at 210~220, is because water does not boil until 212, meaning all the humidity in the air that the oil will suck out of it to have water in the oil when it cools back down, does not get boiled back out the oil until the oil does get back up to 212. So motor at lower than 212, mean that the water is just building up in the oil, not being boiled back off, and will cause problems over time.
Simply, mobile one oil does not have problems until the oil temp starts to exceed 260*, and why the new motor that run synthetic oil, run at higher temps to being with. So nothing wrong going on, and its just with the higher opening rate T stat, all is back to normal with engine oil temps.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,927
Likes: 2,334
From: Etobicoke (Toronto) Ontario
Regardless, a sudden change in cooling behaviour should be investigated. If your normal highway cruising temps were 194-196° and now they’re suddenly at 210°, and especially with ambients around 63°, something’s amiss. I’ve heard of plastic bags and other stuff getting sucked up to block the airflow. You might want to check that out.
