Question: whats the normal temp range for my 1988 vette

[my88]

when im solid driving im at the 188-199 range, stop and go or idle periods i get up to 226 and the fan kicks on and drops it down just fine. new water pump, theromstat , relay and sensors. been to a few shops and they said it's fine, then i see others on videos or pics and they are constanly lower temp range. any help will be ... well helpful. thanks

 

[Baldie88]

If you do a search here for operating temperatures you'll probably find hundreds. A lot of folks run 160* thermostats. I use to run a switch which kicked on the front fan at a lower temperature. After attending a session with Gordon Killebrew (the C4 Godfather) I went back to the stock settings. He said the car was designed to run hotter.

The temperatures you are experiencing are the same as I have on my 88. I've never overheated although I'm probably like you and don't like to see them temp go over 200*. I've done parades for July 4th and have seen it hit 228* but the fans kick on and lower it right away. So I just ignore the temp and enjoy driving!

Ron
"Baldie88"

 

[TedC]

My88, Welcome to CAC. Great site for vette owners. Nothing is wrong with the numbers you posted. I would suggest searching this site on cleaning up the area just behind the radiator. I filled up buckets of stuff that collected. I changed my thermostat from a 195* to 180* and changed the aux (secondary) fan switch to one that closes at a lower temp. The primary fan is controlled by the ECM, so an eprom change is required to adjust.

 

[my88]

thank you both very much, i have cleaned the stuff in between the radiator and condensor out, lots, of leaves. still running the temps but feel confident now hearing from others instead of just from a couple shops. i was told they do runn hotter like this, so no more worries just gonna drive , thanks for the help

 

[CTYANK2]

when im solid driving im at the 188-199 range, stop and go or idle periods i get up to 226 and the fan kicks on and drops it down just fine. new water pump, theromstat , relay and sensors. been to a few shops and they said it's fine, then i see others on videos or pics and they are constanly lower temp range. any help will be ... well helpful. thanks

You are fine in those temperature ranges. Enjoy the ride!

 

[grumpyvette]

Almost all c4 engine combos run best, and have the least wear and emmissions when your running a 180F-190F t-stat and the engine coolant temp stays in the 180F-210 f range, oil temp should at least occasionally exceed 215F to burn off moisture in the oil,and prevent acids forming in the oil,and anything over 190F and under about 240F on oil temp will be ok, with 210-215F about ideal.

 

[my88]

thanks for everybodies imput on this.this is my first c4 while i also own a c3, i do enjoy the old but was interested in the tpi also. i can honestly say my 77 has given me so many less headaches than my 88. once again thanks for the help on this topic, have a good holiday

 

[jrzvette]

when im solid driving im at the 188-199 range, stop and go or idle periods i get up to 226 and the fan kicks on and drops it down just fine. new water pump, theromstat , relay and sensors. been to a few shops and they said it's fine, then i see others on videos or pics and they are constanly lower temp range. any help will be ... well helpful. thanks

Your temps are just fine. There are probably more threads on engine temp then any other topic. I think GM made a mistake by putting in the digital coolant readout. Owners who grew up with cars that ran hot at 210* get nervous when they see the temp creep up over 220 (myself included), even thought the fans are designed not to kick in until 226.

 

[rmagee7]

c-3's are a lot less of a problem because of the less complicated fuel and elect.demands. it's thanks to the mid 80's and early 90's cars and the systems they helped develope that we have the powerhouses that we have today ZR-1's FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!