Normal oil and coolant temperatures ?

195

Asked by squidbaby Sep 14, 2007 at 12:21 AM about the 1988 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe RWD

Question type: General

What is the normal oil temperature and coolant temperatures ?  I was driving my car on a slow busy street, and while I was sitting there , my gauges started to climb into the 220-230 degree range . I thought that was a little hot , but I did not overheat, luckily .

21 Answers

83,745

That's actually fairly normal for slow city driving on a hot day. Oil temp is typically not an issue but coolant temp should stay below 230-235 degrees.

35 people found this helpful.
180

I just put in a new water pump and my coolant temperature is about 221 is that normal and I have driven it yet is this normal.

18 people found this helpful.
2,165

yeah if u wanna have confident cxity driving, then i'd recommend some aftermarket fans and hook them up to a switch so u can just have them on in the city

6 people found this helpful.
1,015

I don't know the exact temps but when you're sitting in traffic or idling, the radiator has little or no air flow. When the temps climb to about 215 the electric fan switches on. When the temps reach 225 or so, both fans switch on. When temps drop to below approximately 210, they switch off. Once you start moving the temps will drop back down to the "normal" 190 range. When the air conditioning is on, both fans run full time and usually maintains the 190 range.

17 people found this helpful.
1,015

With the existing stock cooling system, normal temps should be 195 except when sitting in traffic as noted above. If your stock fans are working properly they will reach as high as 230 but keep the temps below 215. This is normal and there is no need to add or change anything. If it runs consistently above 210 even when at speed, then your radiator is probably clogged.

10 people found this helpful.
2,165

higher pressure radiator cap would help....if still getting hot, then look into seeing if u actually have a flow issue in ur radiator, and possibly getting a new one......and also does the 86 vette have a front grille? or an air dam under the car? because i have an 84 trans am with the air dam and yeah u NEED an aftermarket performance radiator and cap to keep cool

6 people found this helpful.

Thank you much guys. I just went out for a while drove in city and temp was no more than 230 on traffic lights. Might still put on another switch that turn on fan at 200. When I turn off car and start right back up I hear a knocking like when temp is too high.

6 people found this helpful.
1,015

Some people are adamant about keeping the engine cooler for more performance but it's at the expense of efficiency/fuel mileage. A higher pressure radiator cap does nothing to keep it cool. Only helps keep it from boiling over. If you want cooler operating temps, you need to get a cooler thermostat and either a bigger radiator or an oil cooler can help too. The bottom feeder air intake can often catch debri from the road like leaves and other junk. You have to jack it up to get in there to make sure it's clean.

11 people found this helpful.
2,165

sorry false, there is a very specific science to anti freeeze/ water ratio, and pressure/ boiling point....and when u know how to get them both right, ur car can run fine from city to track....increasing the pressure in the system will increase the boiling point of water (physics), and as we know, water has excellent cooling properties, but is imperfect for a car....with a higher pressure radiator cap mixed with a higher ratio water to anti-freeze it adds quite a bit of cooling, a 1.3 bar cap and straight distilled water and water wetter is what most race cars usew

4 people found this helpful.
1,015

Sorry but if you know your physics, boiling point and temperature are two different things. Changing the radiator cap does not change the temps. Yes, antifreeze/water can change the cooling ability but the pressure in the system does not affect the operating temps below boiling point. pv=nrt Physics.

8 people found this helpful.
2,165

correct, but u increase the boiling point of water then it will stay in the cooling system....and also, the only thing a thermostat controls is coolant flow, if u get a lower rated thermostat, all it affects is when it opens and when it will be fully open....yes a lower rated thermostat will help, but once its fully open and ur car is still over heating, then u have to look deeper, higher flow water pump or higher rpm fans....i have two fans that spin at 5,000rpm, flick those on for a couple minuets and im below 200 degrees

6 people found this helpful.
50

Why not cool the water with the engine? Sounds crazy but check your spark plugs and go colder if you are running hot. A spark plug controls the cylinder temp. Also perhaps you are running lean. Put a cold thermostat in your engine adjust your plugs. My 01 Corvette runs at 175 in traffic when outside temp is around 80 degrees.

5 people found this helpful.
20

I have a 1978 L/82 with headers and custom exhaust. Changed thermostat to a performance 180 degree. Car runs consistent at 180 with normal driving and outside temperature. On very hot - humid days with AC on temp will rise to 200-225 which is fine and well below the factory numbers of 230. I believe you can also get a aftermarket 160 degree stat if needed. Hope this helps.

2 people found this helpful.
10

Using gas without ethanol will also help engine to run cooler, mine has dropped an overall 20 degrees

1 people found this helpful.
20

I always herd that running ethanol gas will help your engine run cooler?

2 people found this helpful.
30

I have a corvette from the year 86 and at the moment of wanting to start with the clutch to the bottom the car is turned off and problem eatara presenting my corvette

3 people found this helpful.
20

i own a 84 C4 and live in Florida. Car has a 180 degree thermo. Temp stays around 205 to 215 degrees. I run the car to about the high temp and shut it off. I take mjy water hose and cool the radiator down and release the pressure cap with a cold towel. After the the boil over, I put my water hose and flush the radiator and let the the car idle for 30 minutes. My vette had a major water temp issue. I have completely eliminated my over heating issues and have had no further problems with boil over. I use a 50/50 mix of anti freeze and water.

2 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Corvette

Looking for a Used Corvette in your area?

CarGurus has 722 nationwide Corvette listings starting at $10,989.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    John Carson
    Reputation
    5,210
  • #2
    Vincent Parker
    Reputation
    4,730
  • #3
    dandyoun
    Reputation
    1,400
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chevrolet Camaro
14 Great Deals out of 468 listings starting at $10,995
Used Ford Mustang
41 Great Deals out of 1,643 listings starting at $7,999
Used Dodge Charger
26 Great Deals out of 904 listings starting at $5,995
Used Porsche 911
17 Great Deals out of 224 listings starting at $22,980
Used BMW M3
6 Great Deals out of 71 listings starting at $14,995
Used Ford F-150
325 Great Deals out of 13,693 listings starting at $3,800
Used Toyota Supra
48 listings starting at $55,995
Used BMW 3 Series
67 Great Deals out of 1,211 listings starting at $2,500

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.