Help! My ls1 runs too cold.
04-11-2012, 01:34 PM
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Help! My ls1 runs too cold. I recently bought a 98 LS1 trans am and it runs way too cold. Like the temperature gauge basically doesn't move. How do I make my car run hotter?
04-11-2012, 01:43 PM
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The temp gauge does work, but it usually stays right at the bottom line (I'm at work so I can't look at it right now but I believe it hovers at about 170) I know the temp gauge is reading correctly too because my radiator cover went bad and boiled off all my coolant and my temp gauge went all the way to the red before I was able to fix the problem.
The heater works extremely well, except in the case when my radiator cap went bad, in which case, obviously, the heater didn't work at all and only blew cold air.
Actually my ls1 runs at about 160
The heater works extremely well, except in the case when my radiator cap went bad, in which case, obviously, the heater didn't work at all and only blew cold air.
Actually my ls1 runs at about 160
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04-11-2012, 02:22 PM
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Sounds like aftermarket fan settings and a cooler aftermarket t-stat. I'd scan the car to see what the temp really is before going any further.
04-11-2012, 02:43 PM
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thermostat suck open? do you have a infrared thermometer? could point it at the inlet of the thermostat housing and see what it is reading.. mine runs at 195* normally, with AC on 210*
04-11-2012, 06:07 PM
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It was a joke, never do that.
Take his advice.
Take his advice.
04-12-2012, 01:48 PM
#13
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Damn squid...can't see a joke if it hit him!
This would be your best bet.
This would be your best bet.
04-12-2012, 05:36 PM
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I wouldn't replace anything until you scan it, and see what the actual temp is. I would also take this time to verify what temps your fans cut on/off at. If someone installed a cooler temp t-stat and lowered the fan settings, and you put a stock t-stat back in, the fans may never cut off once the engine warms up.
The '98 gauge works better than the '99+ cars, but it's still not as accurate as a scanner. The problem could possibily be your gauge/temp sensor, in which case a new t-stat will do nothing.
If you want to just throw parts at the car without basic OBD diagnostics then good luck to you. Hopefully your first guess is the right guess. Sometimes simple scanning can tell you a lot, and save you from doing things you don't need to do and/or potentially creating new problems.
The '98 gauge works better than the '99+ cars, but it's still not as accurate as a scanner. The problem could possibily be your gauge/temp sensor, in which case a new t-stat will do nothing.
If you want to just throw parts at the car without basic OBD diagnostics then good luck to you. Hopefully your first guess is the right guess. Sometimes simple scanning can tell you a lot, and save you from doing things you don't need to do and/or potentially creating new problems.
Last edited by RPM WS6; 04-12-2012 at 05:41 PM.
04-14-2012, 02:13 AM
#19
Very common. These mods are cheap and usually one of the first things done. In reality, stock t stat and fan settings work fine for a stock internal vehicle. Adding a lower t stat actually makes the car run less efficient and usually makes no more power than it did before the t stat.
Ls1's are designed to run about 190 to 210 ish.
The only time a lower t stat and lower fan settings is necessary is when you raise the compression and cylinder pressures and temps go up and the stock t stat and fan settings are having problems keeping it between 190 and 210.
Ls1's are designed to run about 190 to 210 ish.
The only time a lower t stat and lower fan settings is necessary is when you raise the compression and cylinder pressures and temps go up and the stock t stat and fan settings are having problems keeping it between 190 and 210.
