new thermo post

[Oldskool153]

I was reading the really long post about stat temps and was wondering my car runs at 160 on the hwy or around town (it is winter here so on average its 20-40 degrees) and way it will run cold ALL day but if i stop in traffic for too long it will creep up to over 200, 219 is the higest I have let it get, at that point i shut it off or have been lucky enough for traffic to start moving again, as soon as i start driving it goes back to around 160, this scares me because summer will be here in a few months.. is it a back up fan that isnt comming on?

 

[vetteoz]

219 is the higest I have let it get, at that point i shut it off is it a back up fan that isnt comming on?

Unlike old skool engines C4's are designed to run hot for emmision purposes.
The stock fan does not turn on until 225.
The 2nd fan IF FITTED comes on at 228?
Most don't worry unless it goes over 240.
What concerns me is why yours is running so cold under normal cond; 180 used to be the good running temp for older engines , any colder and you are getting engine wear.
Check under your console lid for option BP4 ; aux fan , it also came with the Z51 package
Check your drv side head between #1 +3 plugs for a temp switch .If one there you should have 2nd fan fitted in front of radiator, if you ground the wire from that switch you should hear your 2nd fan run.

 

[Oldskool153]

lol now im worried,Im used to dealing with 50's-70's cars, not too familiar with all these electronics, im assuming that someone put a 160 theromsat in the car b4 i got it, how hard is that to change on the 88? Whats better a 180 or OEM?

 

[warren s]

I was reading the really long post about stat temps and was wondering my car runs at 160 on the hwy or around town (it is winter here so on average its 20-40 degrees) and way it will run cold ALL day but if i stop in traffic for too long it will creep up to over 200, 219 is the higest I have let it get, at that point i shut it off or have been lucky enough for traffic to start moving again, as soon as i start driving it goes back to around 160, this scares me because summer will be here in a few months.. is it a back up fan that isnt comming on?

Simply, the reason is because Corvettes dont have much frontal grill area and there is no constant fan running to maintain air flow accross the radiator and condensor. Only when you are moving does the air flow accross the radiator actualy help it do its job - OR when the car get to hot and the electric fans switch on even when you are at a standstill. It may not get much cooler that 160 because the thermostat will be closed and keep much of the coolent in the engine block.

This is a very misunderstood topic, but what you describe it normal for you car.

 

[warren s]

lol now im worried,Im used to dealing with 50's-70's cars, not too familiar with all these electronics, im assuming that someone put a 160 theromsat in the car b4 i got it, how hard is that to change on the 88? Whats better a 180 or OEM?

It didnt come with a 160, but unless this is your daily driver and you need heat in the winter you can leave it.

 

[Ed C4]

Cooling Fan Activation

Thanks for the info I recently purchased my 1994 corvette and was worried that there was a problem with the cooling fans, I did find a blown fuse to the secondary cooling fan and located the cause for the fuse to blow, but I was unsure of the temp setting for the fans to activate. You have been a great help.

 

[warren s]

Ed -

for your car (94 & 95) its easy to add a manual switch to activate the cooling fans manually.

Click on my website link below, and then click on "Simple C4 mods"

WS

 

[Ed C4]

Thanks

That is some very useful info thank you very much.

 

[Oldskool153]

thanks guys, two times I noticed my "low coolant" light on both times when i opened the cap the antifreeze was almost right at the top, the sensor for the light must be really sensative?

 

[vetteoz]

two times I noticed my "low coolant" light on both times when i opened the cap the antifreeze was almost right at the top, the sensor for the light must be really sensative?

Or a bad connection on the sensor terminal.
Sensor simply goes to ground through the water ; obviously low water, no ground so circuit broken and light comes on.
A bad or loose connection would have the same effect
Green wire in pass side of radiator below top trans cooler line