Oil Temp High with SES

[hpbadger]

Hello All. I have been dealing with what i think is high oil temperature for a little while.

Now, I am in AZ and these are extreme conditions 100-115 degrees outside and my Corvette is black. Oil temps have been between 240 and 260 on the highway with coolant about 225-230 driving in these hot conditions. Also, the SES light comes on sometimes after a while while driving at these condidtions.

I don't have a code reader but I will try and get it to a Checker auto and borrow theirs next time it comes on...problem is it only comes on after driving on the highway for at least 1/2 hour and car is at those high temps.

I have cleaned the radiator and gone one step further cutting holes in the radiator bottom housing structure to keep junk from piling up. Thermostat seems to open at 180 degrees and fan comes on. Plus I have auxilliary fan that goes on when A/C is turned on. I am running Mobil 1 Synthetic oil so not too worried about oil burning up but would like to know if there is a way to cool this motor off in case I need to take a long trip across the HOT desert this summer. Thanks for all input!!

 

[WhalePirot]

You do not need a special tool to pull codes

On the ALDL connector, jumper terminals 'A' to "B' with a piece of paper clip, then look for code 12. That number indicates the ECM is in a diagnostic mode (light flashes once, pause, double flash+= 12). Then watch and count in similar manner, recording the two-digit numbers. When all codes have been displayed, it returns to '12'.

I would expect driving is such extreme heat really taxes the cooling system, which should be in top condition. I trust you've flushed it and refilled with quality coolant at a 50/50 mix. At least biannually, use a flushing agent, then back-flush (I like the kits that allow connectin to a garden hose).

Pure water (I prefer distilled) has the best heat exchange properties, but the system needs the lube and the anti-corrosion ingredients of the coolant.

I know you'll report back. LOL

 

[hpbadger]

Thanks. I had planned on draining the system and flushing this afternoon. I have a feeling it is just very hot outside and without an oil cooler the temperature is not going to get much cooler. I have a 350 mile trip to make Monday morning in the Corvette but I plan to leave about 4:00 am which should keep things relatively cool.

Will let you know if I can cool this thing off.

 

[Vettefan87]

You could like Pirot suggested bump the percent of water in the system. Go like 80 percent water, 20 percent coolant. That should help a little. You can always get a manual fan switch that you can turn the fans on earlier at so the temperatures do not get that high.

 

[jiangtao]

If the light comes on after driving on the highway for a while then it could be the EGR. If it is not functioning properly it can cause things to get hot! I have been putting up with the EGR crap for some time now. Autozone will scan the car for free.{At least in my town they do} Good luck.

 

[vader86]

I would use a 60/40 water/coolant mix in that area, you dont need the 50-50 unless you live in a colder climate.

I believe you also need to flush the whole system and especially be sure to burp the engine, you may have air trapped inside.

 

[tigmaned]

hope your using M-one oil!!!

my vette runs at 180 to 195 and the oil temp is about the same, 185 ish. but then i have a brand new rad.

 

[Grizzly]

At a seminar at Carlisle, when discussing rising temps, Gordon suggested to turn on the AC which will keep the coolant fans on. Tired it in my '92 during a parade and it lowered the water temp 10 degrees in a few minutes. You might want to try it.

It would seem counter productive, but I guess if you can keep the air flowing fast enough everything will work as designed.

 

[tigmaned]

another thing to cool the engine is to turn the heater on, yeah i know it would get hotter in the car but its alot better then walking in that heat!! i really think some times its just time for a new rad. there alot cheaper then a blown head or intake or even a blowen engine! unless you know the rad was taken care of from the beginning they get corr. and lose there ablitly to cool.

 

[Hrtbeat1]

RedLine Water Wetter (its pinkish in a plastic bottle) really helps out. I add one or two bottles each time I flush my radiator. I upgraded to a Howe racing radiator (full core, all aluminum) about six months ago and never have a problem with overheating now. My coolant temp runs right about 150 on the highway and maybe 170 in stop and go town traffic. This is here on the Gulf Coast where 100 degrees and 100% humidity is not out of the norm during the summer.

 

[vader86]

Turning on AC and such to bring temps down may work in town, but it will not work on the highway, the fans are shut off at speed because fans are detrimental to cooling once you get moving.

 

[hpbadger]

Thanks for all the input. I drove the car 500 miles on highway through the hot desert at night. Turning on the a/c did not cool the car but made it hotter instead. I am considering a new radiator and using products like water wetter. I am using M1 oil.......bty while going up the mountain last night in 110 degree weather the hottest the oil temperature got was 258.....pretty darned hot but I know the M1 oil can take it....not sure if the rest of the engine bay can.