Coolant temp
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Coolant temp
Recently the ambient temp in Austin hit 93, Th temp gauge in my 17 ZO6 with AC on hit 242. Is this normal or is my radiator fan operating at too low an RPM?
Your replies appreciated.
Thanks
Your replies appreciated.
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 173
From: San Jose Ca
Something isn't right I've run my stingray in 100+ degree temps and it doesn't run any different than when in 60 degree temps. I'd be checking thermostats as they do fail and yours is at that time when they could start failing. I'd start there.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 321
Likes: 119
From: Illinois
Yeah, that is way too hot. I would check the thermostat first and then look to the water pump if the thermostat is not the issue. You can put the thermostat in a pot of boiling water and see if it will open to test as well. Wierdly, in my C6, it was overheating like crazy, I thought it was the thermostat, bu tit turned out to be that the radiator was literally splitting apart. No clue how this happened, but was quite a pain. I would definitely get that addressed pronto though, 242 temps are much too high.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,851
Likes: 1,861
From: St. Louis Metro East IL
There was a problem on some 2014s with the fan controller (can really happen to any year car). It is built in to the fan assembly, so the entire fan assembly needs to be replaced. Many replaced with Z06 units. (I had no problem with my 2014).
Here's one of many threads on the issue:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-to-260-a.html
Ron
Here's one of many threads on the issue:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-to-260-a.html
Ron
Last edited by RonC7; May 21, 2024 at 11:10 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,177
Likes: 1,044
From: North Texas
Is it really overheating or just the analog gauge says so?
Put your DIC in performance mode and read the temp.
If you have a scanner you can read the temp also. Most people don't have one at home.
Maybe just a bad temp sensor, but also a stuck closed thermostat.
If it is really overheating the fan should be running full speed, you will be able to hear it roar. Also the AC should shut down, car goes into limp mode and warnings appear on the DIC.
If its overheating the radiator hoses will be very hard, can't squeeze them, overflow tank should be overflowing if it really gets hot.
Take a reading with a hand held IR temp gauge, point and shoot, ( cheap and easy to acquire) on the radiator and its hoses. Very rough reading, but a simple start.
What I'm trying to say is there are a lot of simple tests you can do to diagnose this issue.
But if its appears to be overheating after doing some simple tests, I'd change the temp sensor and the thermostat. Both cheap and simple to do at home.
But don't let it keep overheating, if it really is, or you will have bigger problems.
Put your DIC in performance mode and read the temp.
If you have a scanner you can read the temp also. Most people don't have one at home.
Maybe just a bad temp sensor, but also a stuck closed thermostat.
If it is really overheating the fan should be running full speed, you will be able to hear it roar. Also the AC should shut down, car goes into limp mode and warnings appear on the DIC.
If its overheating the radiator hoses will be very hard, can't squeeze them, overflow tank should be overflowing if it really gets hot.
Take a reading with a hand held IR temp gauge, point and shoot, ( cheap and easy to acquire) on the radiator and its hoses. Very rough reading, but a simple start.
What I'm trying to say is there are a lot of simple tests you can do to diagnose this issue.
But if its appears to be overheating after doing some simple tests, I'd change the temp sensor and the thermostat. Both cheap and simple to do at home.
But don't let it keep overheating, if it really is, or you will have bigger problems.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
Make sure there not a bunch of debris in front of the AC condenser thereby blocking the radiator. Just look through the grill. I've seen more than one time that someone sucks up a piece of newspaper or a plastic bag and it blocks the flow to a third of the cooling stack.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 173
From: San Jose Ca
I'm not sure. Sometimes the symptoms aren't obvious. Since you have a zo6 the fan controller shouldn't be the problem like the problems with the stingray fan controller of the first few years. I would verify that it really is overheating and not by the analog gauge, but by the digital readout on the performace screen like was mentioned previously.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,236
Likes: 498
From: NJ
Make sure there not a bunch of debris in front of the AC condenser thereby blocking the radiator. Just look through the grill. I've seen more than one time that someone sucks up a piece of newspaper or a plastic bag and it blocks the flow to a third of the cooling stack.
Check this first before anything else, then check the coolant level. And Like others have said, yes your cooling fan should be roaring at those temps.