bannonb

A month ago I picked up a 2016 Z51/3LT Auto coupe. Pretty cool car.

I've been running around the neighborhood in auto (high gears and low rpms mostly) but decided to go manual and use the paddles.

I was averaging shifting at around 4K RPMs (sometimes 5K when wheel was turned and couldn't reach paddle) and keeping in moderate gears with around 3K RPMs on the 40-5mph roads and found that a short drive from the store to home moved the needle on the temp gauge from the normal steady state of 170 plus or minus to over 220.

When I got home the wife freaked that the car was making a noise even after powering it off...the fan was running. It was fun to drive it this way but I'm a little perplexed.

Is this typical? Seems a bit abrupt to climb so fast.
Will it keep climbing if I keep the rpms up?

BTW this is in touring mode and the outside temp in Colorado was probably in the 60s.

Your observations and experience are appreciated.

Larry/car

My car, 2017 M7 regularly has engine coolant temperatures around 220 degrees. Normally driven shifting 2/3000 rpm. And remember Colorado is 5,000 feet above sea level. In Pennsylvania, where I live, it is only 400 feet. Higher altitude will equate to higher coolant temperatures. I think your car is operating satisfactory.

rmorin1249

Are you talking about engine oil, coolant or tranny temps? The only time my car has reached 220 on any of these readings was at VIR in late August. Ambient temps were in the low 90s and I was driving fairly hard and shifting manually with the paddles.

Kracka

Do you have a front license plate or the aero panel covering the front grille?

Prostreeter1

I think your talking coolant temps. Don't be alarmed. My 16 Z hits 220 within 20 minutes of driving around town (Littleton) even in cool weather. When it's 90 plus degrees out it never goes over 220.


One time last summer it was hot as hell out and got home and shut the car off and heard some strange sound. I popped the hood and the fan was going full blast. I stood there for about 5 minutes thinking the fan will turn off but it didn't so I hit the start button and the fan shut down.


These engines are designed to run at 220. You have nothing to worry about.

bannonb

Yeah, I was talking about coolant temps. The oil temp moves but slowly so I haven't seen it get above 200.

At altitude our boiling temp is around 200, but with coolant obviously that's not an issue. Just making sure it's working normally.

Also, when the fan runs and the engine is off, does the water actually circulate? I assume so or the fan would only cool the radiator water, not the block.

bannonb

No plates yet. This episode has made me think to run without a front plate...plus it looks better.

Corvetterwb

It's pretty much normal for the fan to run after shutdown when the car is hot.

plasboy

Wow you guys run hot. Our 15Z A8 usually runs 192-194 on the highway and 195-203 in town.

AirStingray

Mine runs a little high too for a short 30 mile commute...

Mike Campbell

The fan is much louder than my C6's fan and goes on sooner but I also live in SW Florida. It's nothing to be alarmed about.

VetteDrmr

Steady-state running at 3K revs with this kind of engine is going to generate a lot of heat. Why are you spinning a 6.2l engine so high? Just experimenting? If so, then you have a new data point: revs = heat.

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

hisvett

Take a flatlander like myself to Denver and run a 50 yd. dash, recovery time to get the heart rate back down to normal probably 4 time longer than here in DFW. Then run on up to Ouray (7K ft) and do it again. For me, I'll be down on my knees within 30 ft; it's normal OP. The lack of air will affect cars as it does people. The fan is running for the same reason I would be red in the face and gasping for air.

Enjoy the ride, your car is reacting normally

NSC5

High RPM operation does cause the engine to run hotter but 220 is still a very normal and safe temperature for a modern engine so no harm is being done. But running this hot under otherwise normal driving conditions is really an indication of how much fuel is being wasted as your LT1 is being run at an engine speed well beyond what is needed for the required power level.

I have a Z06 with the LT4 and this is the only vehicle I have ever owned where the engine temperature remained the same or sometimes went a little higher using engine braking on mountain grades. But in typical driving it runs at a very reasonable 190-194 engine temperature. Something in the design of these engines definitely creates higher than expected operating temperature at high RPM. I also have an automatic and it is always in manual mode to avoid V4 operation but I typically shift at around 2K in "normal" driving.

okaythen

I experience this almost every time, wonder if it's the same for you guys.

it's been cooler now around 50 to 60F, everytime when I go out for a drive I kept the temp the same, the first half to one hour I am comfortable, but after that I start taking off jacket, 10 min later sweater , and then more. Car always gets hot after 30 to 60 min ish and I had the temp the same, do you guys experience this as well or I need to get my car checked out? kind of weird that first hour is ok then gets hotter and hotter, not very comfortable inside the car when it's inconsistent like that, it's mostly local roads, normal shifting 3k or so just cruising around. Actually 2nd thought sometimes I turn the temp all the way down and it's still gets hotter and hotter after awhile( '17 Z06 M7)

NSC5

I would say normal. The Corvette transfers a lot of heat from the engine compartment and the tunnel (contains exhaust pipes) to the rest of the car. The C7 generation has improved insulation but there is a lot of heat transfer and the longer you drive the more parts warm up and transfer heat to the passenger compartment.

I have a 2016 Z06 and the engine stays at a very reasonable temperature but at outside temperatures where in other cars where I would normally just have the HVAC set to vent I use AC to keep the Z06 comfortable.

iclick

I haven't seen coolant temp >195° in my 2017 GS M7, even in summer here in S. LA. My 2015 A8 was the same, but my 2013 C6 M6 would frequently climb into the ranges the OP originally sited (~220°). Oil temp runs about the same, as high as 200° rarely in heavy summer traffic, and takes quite a while to get up there.

joemessman

Mine runs hot like that when aggressively using the paddles.

Red C8 of Jax

I have a 2015 A8 and live in FL and have never seen 220. Usually running with A/C on in town coolant temp is 189-192. With A/C off temp is around 195. Also, engine does not burn one drop of oil. Got a good engine, not so good torque converter had to be replaced.

plasboy

Yes mine is like that but to further state the problem it is like that winter and summer. Mine blows hot air on your feet after it gets equalized and makes the car hot. Dash vents are cold but too much hot air from footwell and it makes your feet uncomfortably hot. Bilevel helps some but not enough. Switch to all air on floor and goes from hot-around 100 degrees to cold in a few seconds from footwell vents. Been working with the dealer for about 18 months to get it fixed. No luck so far and now working on it through customer care.