How Hot?

[dwm]

I have an 88 coupe, there's been a lot of post about fans & when they should come on but my question is How hot can the temp get before I should be alarmed?

 

[warren s]

230.plus

Stock turns on around 230. If it gets that hot, and continues to rise, you will be seeing steam soon.

 

[MBDiagMan]

Yes, I've seen it hit 228 or 230 before the second fan set comes on and gets the temp going down. As the man says, if it doesn't there is something wrong and it will continue to climb after that. If it continues to go up after 230, it's time to investigate BEFORE you see steam.

Good luck,

 

[Edmond]

I have an 88 coupe, there's been a lot of post about fans & when they should come on but my question is How hot can the temp get before I should be alarmed?

Like everyone else said, they come on around 230 or so. They did this to have the car friendlier for emissions.

There are various ways to combat this if you don't like running the car so hot:

1. Water Wetter-probably the cheapest and most simple way. I used 2 bottles last summer and never saw anything over 192, even on the hottest days.

2. Reprogrammed PROM-I did this too. My fans come on at 198.

3. 160 thermostat-not too hard to do.

4. Be Cool radiator-I haven't had experience with this but they claim a drop in temperature. You're also looking at $500+ for the radiator.

 

[Harley1@coiinc.com]

What is water-wetter ? My Vette also runs at that 220+ before fan kicks in and I assume we aren't alone. Programming sounds great if you can find a tech to do it and your ready to part with $100.

 

[Jeff Henning]

The manual says 229 before the second fan comes on.
Mine cools down after hitting 229 or the secondary fan also comes on with the AC.
This bothered me at first but an engineer friend of mine says that the factory designed it that way so leave the d--- thing alone.
The high temps keep the oil from building up acids by not allowing water to form or stay in the oil.
Mine has over 100K on it without ever being apart and still runs like new. Maybe he's right.

Jeff

 

[drags1998]

230 plus is not a problem, 240 & its time to check it out!! Another thing to think about, is oil temp. Just make sure you use a TOP QUALITY oil like Mobil-1

 

[warren s]

Check my website!!! I have a manual fan switch, I dont like the temp over 210.My car has an automatic, so the trans fluid heats up big time if the coolent temp goes up.

 

[Edmond]

What is water-wetter ? My Vette also runs at that 220+ before fan kicks in and I assume we aren't alone. Programming sounds great if you can find a tech to do it and your ready to part with $100.

You can find it at most auto stores; they sell in the $7-8 range per bottle. I use two bottles in my car.

 

[Vettefan87]

Secondary Fan

Does the secondary fan come on with the AC, because mine does not. Although i have never had the car that hot to see if it even works. I run the 160 T-stat and the hypertech thermo master chip which kicks the fan on at 175. At cruising the temperature never gets above 165 or so, and in traffic about 185, Oil temp is around 190. The chip is nice if you have $200 dollars, and if you dont want to have a switch.

 

[vetteboy86]

I have had the 160 thermostat for a while and the hypertech chip also. However i do not ever remember my water temp being 230+. I live in Indiana and in the summer we have 90 degree days. I would recommend the cooler thermostat to anybody. I know that i have been told that the L98 is supposed to run that hot, i just cant accept that. It cant be good for any car to run that hot.

 

[vader86]

If it goes over 240 you need to keep a close eye on it with aluminum heads. They will blow a head gasket with extended running if they stay over 250-260.

So if it ever gets that hot, pull over and cut the engine.

 

[RedRagTop]

I discussed this with my wrench last night. He says GM designed these cars to run this hot to burn all the gas for emission purposes. Running it cooler will just result in poorer mileage.
I am going to toss in a bottle of Wetter this spring anyway because you're right, it just looks too hot...

 

[warren s]

I discussed this with my wrench last night. He says GM designed these cars to run this hot to burn all the gas for emission purposes. Running it cooler will just result in poorer mileage.
I am going to toss in a bottle of Wetter this spring anyway because you're right, it just looks too hot...

That is almost totally bogus!!!

My 95 has a 160 degree therm, TB bypass and manual fan overide switch. I always keep the temp under 200. Since I made these changes I get about 2 mpg more, my best 1/4 et droped 1.9 tenths, my trans fluid stays cooler and the rubber hoses and lines under the hood (That I had to replace) are not getting dried out and brittle. I can touch the plenum now without burning my fingers. The car also seems more responsive.

I also just passed the NY emissions test, when the car has to run on the dyno at various speeds. If the motor was running much hotter, the variance would be wider, but it still passes by a large margin.

The extreem temps C4s will run at stock is strictly for reduced emissions.

 

[RedRagTop]

OK, don't flip out. Mine seldom goes over 190 anyway unless I'm stuck in construction or a hot, slow drive-through. I understand that a bit cooler is better and will likely result in more performance, hence my decision to put the Wetter in.