engine temp

[FlyingDutchman]

so i had my radiator replaced maybe a month ago and now im always lookin at the temp gauge when im driving around its about 180* which i guess is normal. but when i stop at a light it climbs up to 210*ish and if its a long light or im just idling after driving around a bit it climbs past 210* but not into the red. ive heard that when you play with the radiator somethings get messed up like the coolant sensor.

is this normal? or is it the thermo not opening all the way? a fan or both fans not working right?

any insight would be helpful

[LTb1ow]

Stock operating temp is like 220 or some absurd number like that. The fans come on at pretty high temps. Did you bleed the system correctly after installing the new rad?

If so, you can throw a 160* thermo in there and have a tune or get the SLP switch to turn your fans on earlier.

[Masonite]

i would let your car sit and idle for about 10 minutes with the hood up in your driveway. see if after it hits "normal operating temperature" that the fan/fans kick on for the radiator. for most f-bodies, the fans will turn on while driving under about 30mph, to keep the air flowing. higher speeds don't need the fan(s) because, obviously, there's air moving through the radiator. anyway, the point I'm getting at is that from the sound of it, yes, there might be a problem with one or both of your radiator fans--they might not be turning on at all, if you haven't noticed already. first thing i would check would be to see if they're plugged in right. sounds too simple, but it does happen XD. after that, I would check the water/temp sensor.

[LTb1ow]

No, thats normal for the LT1, it makes less emissions in stop and go traffic or something like that when it runs that hot. As long as your not overheating it sounds normal.

[sweetbmxrider]

it sounded normal to me too. i haven't been in my car in awhile so i forgot what it would climb to. i would just make sure the antifreeze is topped off.

i believe the only sensor you could mess up is the low coolant sensor a couple inches below the radiator fill.

[LTb1ow]

Coolant temp sensors are not on the rad, one on the WP and one on the driver side head, gauge and PCM respectively.

[sweetbmxrider]

thats why i said LOW coolant sensor :nod:

[LTb1ow]

Yes, but HE did not, he just said "somethings get messed up like the coolant sensor".

[FlyingDutchman]

thanks for you help guys lol i thought i heard something about emissions and what not

the reason i asked is b/c my friends lt1 sounds like an industrial sized a/c when it comes on

[Featherburner]

Coolant temp sensors are not on the rad, one on the WP and one on the driver side head, PCM and gauge respectively.
Fixed

[Masonite]

Stock operating temp is like 220 or some absurd number like that. The fans come on at pretty high temps. Did you bleed the system correctly after installing the new rad?

If so, you can throw a 160* thermo in there and have a tune or get the SLP switch to turn your fans on earlier.

after my post, I went out and drove my T/A around, and I have to agree with what Shownomercy has to say. I have a single radiator fan, and it would kick on at about 200-220 degrees while idle/low rate of speed. So, seems like yours is working normally.

[sweetbmxrider]

our lt1 cooling systems are a little different than yours but yeah, it seems ok.

his fans may be louder because the a/c fan is spinning at high speed. yours may be spinning at a lower speed or not at all. i'll double check at work tomorrow what one is for cooling and a/c. i'll also check the fan speeds.

[WildBillyT]

Make sure you don't have air trapped in the system. Most modern cars run a bit hot to reduce emissions- which is why thermostats (as minor a part as they seem) get the "off road use only" designation, because they effect emissions. If it bothers you, go to a cooler thermo. Make sure it's an LT1 specific unit.

[BonzoHansen]

If you change the t-stat you have to reprogram the fans.

Just make sure both fans come on when it gets hot sitting there.

Your friends might be louder because he has a bad fan motor.

[JerzLT1]

its normal, i was in traffic for 2 hours omw to boston last year and thought the car was gonna over heat. put the 160* in and it doesnt go above 180* now even at idle