Question on operating temp?

[soggytaco]

I started my 96 today in the driveway I try and do this every few weeks if the weather is warm. It was About 50 today; I let her run for about 20 min. I noticed the temp got as high as 226 and then it dropped rapidly down to 215. Is this normal? Did the fan kick on and that is why the temp dropped so quickly. What is the proper temp for the fan to come on at? Thanks for any help.

 

[RV Guy]

Sounds about how my '86 works.

 

[nyernga]

That sounds about right to me also. One thing I would do in your case, and it serves a twofold purpose, is to run that A/C when you do that. It'll keep the fans running and the refrigerant seals from hardening and developing a leak.



Len

 

[Vettefan87]

Did the fan kick on and that is why the temp dropped so quickly. What is the proper temp for the fan to come on at? Thanks for any help.

Yeah probably. I don't know about the LT cars but on mine when the main fan kicks on it sounds like an airplane is firing up. Just open the hood the next time and look to see when it kicks on, then you will know.

 

[jmccloud]

Coolant Temp

My '95 LT1 performs exactly the same way. On a really hot day, the second fan will come on in the mid 230's.
As nyernga said, running the A/C will cause the primary fan to run constantly and the temp probably won't go over 195-200 on a mild day. Again, on a hot day the secondary fan will come on in the mid 230's.

 

[aboatguy]

I agree; your car seems perfectly normal.

 

[6speeder]

http://www.theherd.com/articles/lt1_cool.html

 

[tyrel]

226° sounds a little high to me given those conditions: 50° outside and only 20 minutes of idling. My car never gets that high when it's idling. You're still well within the safety zone, but in my opinion every c4 owner should pull and clean the radiator and fan shroud every couple of years, as the junk that builds up in there contributes to higher temps.

 

[Steve Calvin]

I agree with tyrel. I don't think that it's any problem. They're designed to be hot blooded beasts. Mine did cool down when I replaced the radiator with a new high capacity aluminum one last summer though. I runs around 200-210* now.

 

[tigmaned]

your new C4 has the OBII computer, i think you can get it programed for the fans to come on a little sooner, like 200 range!! but if you do live in area with alot of leaves and or pine tries i would pull the top rad panel and see if theres alot of stuff between the rad and condensor and stopping some of the air flow to the rad. you maybe surprised what you find stock in there! my rad was replaced about 7 months ago and i check mine since we just had fall leaves every were and i had about 3" to 4" of leaves and junk in there. mine usaually never goes over 170 range unless i am at a light a long time then to 205 when i have my fan set to come on at.

 

[JRMaroon]

I don't know if the LT4 is programmed the same but normal fan operation for my '94 with the A/C off is;

228* Fans on
217* Fans off

Best,
Jeff