Normal Oil and Coolant temps?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 3
From: seattle wa
Normal Oil and Coolant temps?
for some reason my oil and coolant temps have been increasing the last few days...my coolant temps as high as 217/218...this is normal driving, at night, with no traffic...as im driving it will stay around 194-198...once i hit a redlight, if i sit long enough it will go up to 215-218 or so?...my oil temps have been staying around 200-210 when previously i remember always seeing it around 190 (MAYBE 200-205 on a summer day while driving hard)...
any thoughts on what could potentially be wrong?...what to look for?...what are the standard operating temps for the two?
any thoughts on what could potentially be wrong?...what to look for?...what are the standard operating temps for the two?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 3
From: seattle wa
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 539
Likes: 1
From: Edmond, OK
There seems to be a bit of variation in the "normal" operating temperatures of the oil and coolant on different owners' cars. I agree with the above in that both temps are not anything to cause concern. The temps on my car seem to be relatively steady at 205-208 for coolant and around 210-220 for normal driving with the higher range being on hot days with a little spirited driving mixed in. I have read posts on this form from other owners with both higher and lower temps for both coolant and oil. Don't really understand the variations but they seem to exist without causing problems.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
Since your car has been running at the lower temps before, I would be looking for something that might have changed. The first place to look is at the top of the radiator for a Walmart bag, or a bunch of leaves, etc. You can't view the top of the radiator looking through the grille. You need to raise the front of the car so you can look with a flashlight, and reach your arm into the area from the opening in front of the air dam.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
Since your car has been running at the lower temps before, I would be looking for something that might have changed. The first place to look is at the top of the radiator for a Walmart bag, or a bunch of leaves, etc. You can't view the top of the radiator looking through the grille. You need to raise the front of the car so you can look with a flashlight, and reach your arm into the area from the opening in front of the air dam.
Just the other day I suspected a plastic bag had lodged itself against my radiator. I drove for a bit and noticed the temps go up maybe 5 degrees on a 60 degree day. It had an effect but not as significantly as I expected. Maybe a warmer day it would be more.
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Drifting
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From: Boca Raton Florida
Track Junky
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,075
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From: Orlando Area
Tech Contributor
You need to check for obstruction on the radiator or AC condenser. It could be something that easy. Other options include a bad or degrading water pump. I can't remember if the vette has this, but many water pumps have a weep hole on the bottom of them to give indication when internal seals go bad. Maybe check for drips on the under side of the pump casing.
How many miles on he car? I doubt it's time for a coolant flush/replace but it may be worth considering. Look for cooling fin damage as well.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 3
From: seattle wa
That's a good idea but it's chasing symptoms and not the actual problem.
You need to check for obstruction on the radiator or AC condenser. It could be something that easy. Other options include a bad or degrading water pump. I can't remember if the vette has this, but many water pumps have a weep hole on the bottom of them to give indication when internal seals go bad. Maybe check for drips on the under side of the pump casing.
How many miles on he car? I doubt it's time for a coolant flush/replace but it may be worth considering. Look for cooling fin damage as well.
You need to check for obstruction on the radiator or AC condenser. It could be something that easy. Other options include a bad or degrading water pump. I can't remember if the vette has this, but many water pumps have a weep hole on the bottom of them to give indication when internal seals go bad. Maybe check for drips on the under side of the pump casing.
How many miles on he car? I doubt it's time for a coolant flush/replace but it may be worth considering. Look for cooling fin damage as well.
Track Junky
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 36
From: Orlando Area
Tech Contributor
Most of the stuf I offered is visual only and will point you in the right direction. If you have any questions or need pointers, give me a call some time after 6:30 tonight.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: seattle wa
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Southampton NJ
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 3
From: seattle wa
yea just looked odd to me...i dont recall ever seeing the oil temp go over 200 unless im either stuck in traffic or driving it hard...on a standard day, stays around 190-196 or so...so when i saw it go over 200 on a regular driving day i checked the coolant temp and that too had gone up over 205-210 or so...so i just found it weird...
Tolero Apto Victum
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Woodlands TX