Is this a problem??

[1963SS]

I've only had my first Vette for about three months and it's just starting to get warm enough to put the top down. It's a 95 Vert and it was 72 degrees today. I assume it has a 180 thermostat because that's where it ran all winter and that's what it runs going down the road. However, today 72 degrees, when I was stopped in traffic for about 10 to 15 minutes the temp went up to about 1/2 way or possibly a fuzz more. Since the temp gauge goes from 185 to 260 with 2 hashmarks in between it appears to be running about 225 degrees.

Is this normal or should the thermostat hold it at about 180 all the time? When I got home it was back to 180. I popped the bonnet and turned on the A/C and both fans came on. Coolant is full. I didn't get a chance to see if one fan works or not. Son took off in it. The boy's excited. What temp does the fan come on if nothing's been fiddled with? I'll try to overheat it tonight and see. Thanks again for all the help. Youse guys have been a great source of knowledge.

 

[jonszr1]

no you are allright . the factory sets the cooling fans to come on first one @223 and second one @231 . personally i would go find someone who can change the cooloing fan on temps to 190- -205. i get a little queesy when temps get to the 220 range . you can also turn on the airconditioning which automaticly turns the fans on .hope this helps you out

 

[Toms007]

Yea, it's a little frightening the first time you see that temp go up there like that...but it is normal. One of the things that might help is to check and see if there is a lot of cr@p in between the AC condenser and the radiator. These cars are vacuum sweepers and they deposit crap in between these two. It's not easy to check or to clean, but it can help.

 

[gmjunkie]

Later C4 models use two cooling fans,a primary and a secondary.During normal operation the ECM will command the primary cooling fan on when engine coolant temperature reaches 226 deg F,when the air conditioning is on or if a cooling system or coolant sensor diagnostic code is occurring.

The ECM will command the secondary fan to run when the primary fan is running and the air conditioning is on if the vehicle speed is below 55 mph,if the engine temperature exceeds 235 deg F,or if a cooling system or sensor diagnostic code is occurring.

 

[1963SS]

Thanks guys, you're setting my mind at ease. I will check for debris though. I forgot about the digital gauge and I'll check that as well next time I drive this car.

 

[boomdriver]

So you know exactly what everyone means...The trash collection in the nose often cannot be seen by just looking up thru the front. The a/c condensor is up front so it gets the fresh air first and totally blocks the view of the radiator, but there are ducts on either side that allow some air and trash bags, newspaper, dead birds or whatever, to get sucked in and caught between the radiator and condensor. I've found feathers, hair, grocery store bags and even coke cups in there. Whatever might be found on a freeway can/will end up in there. Corvette owners should be billing their state highway dept for street sweeping....

You might be able to see something around the edges of the condensor but to get a good look requires taking the top radiator shroud off and looking straight down into the air-box.
Also, running the a/c for the benefit of the fans might work in moderate/lower temps but because this condensor is nearly as big as the radiator, running the a/c makes the condensor get hot and that hot air just gets sucked into the radiator because there is no place else it can go. This makes heat exchange nearly impossible if the a/c is on even though the fans are running. The condensor gets hotter than the engine coolant sometimes. It can actually make the eng temp go up. These cars get ALL the cooling air thru the nose and thru the same path. The radiator is the last in line to get fresh air.
Its just like a big pretty vacume cleaner...A dirt devil should pull dirt up so well.

Enjoy your car !

 

[Paul Higg]

Totally normal.

GM designed these engines to run hot.

Mine did the same exact thing.

I pulled my air conditioner condenser radiator and I found half a stinking forest in there. When I put it back together the temp dropped by 8-10 degrees. There is a tutorial or a thread here somewhere that explains how to do it. I did it in one day. Those 10 mm bolts on the shroud can be a pain in the butt though!

Also, I used water wetter in mine with no ill effects.

Good luck.

PS: I think I might have the text on how to do it if you need it.

Paul