General Maintenance & Repairs - Normal engine temp?

Im asking because my engine bay, at a red light today was smoking alot but my temp gauge is around 200. Thats been my running temp for awhile, the smoking usually on cold mornings, but today, in socal area, around 70 degrees, I saw smoke from my engine bay. The temp didn't rise, and was wondering if I should flush the radiator then refill it? is everyone else's normal operating temp around 190-200 (a little half way the temp gauge)?

Oh I drive an a4 99 Camaro SS. Most recent mod was this last Saturday, the free ram air mod, and cleaned the maf. Dont know if that has anything to do with the excess smoke. Just worried is all.

Is it smoke or coolant steam?

Where is it coming from...exactly?

You probably just need a new radiator cap, some steam is escaping.

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I don't know the difference -_- lol sorry. Ok let's see...drivers side under the windshield wiper area. I'll take a pic as soon as I get a chance. I'm catering to guests who just arrived from Omaha lol I'm just checking my phone.

Not that smoke is coming from the windshield wipers LOL I'll take a pic of where I saw the smoke too when i popped the hood open

Pics would tell all............I think....lol

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Normal operating tmep for an LS1 with a stock T-stat and stock fan settings is between 190-230°F as seen on a scanner, dependant on outside weather, traffic conditions, accessories running, etc. The '99+ cars just show the temp needle right around "210" unless you stray from that 190-230 range.

The smoke could be a simple weeping of oil from a valve cover gasket leak burning off on the exhaust manifolds. Or it could be coolant, etc. Do you notice that the radiator or overflow is at all low on coolant?

I was doing a search about this same question. Thought I would add here as its same subject if ok.
I have a 08 LY2 in a TJ Jeep.
It runs 198 in traffic and 201 or 202 at 70 mph. (via scan tool live data setting) If I push it beyond 70 the 4L60E will puke oil out vent and the engine temp will continue to climb, I let off before beyond 205. In the live data there is a engine load % and its running About 75% at 70 mph

So is the engine temp normal?
And I think I need to add a oil cooler to the trans, agree?
Im also thinking the custom fan shroud I built is not working correctly at speed but fine slow speeds and needs to be redone.

Ideas?
link to build http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/1465447-4-8-jeep-tj.html
Thanks
Lowell

The engine temp doesn't climb at all. I run 70-75 on freeway and te needle is below the 210 half marker (guessing 190-200) at irwindale as well during the run and after it's still under the 210 half marker. Ill check the coolant level tmrw.

I can't post pics from my phone -_- I too pics of where I saw the smoke coming from the hood and where I saw the smoke from the engine bay while I let the car run and I checked under the hood. When I get to a desktop I'll post it.

I installed a trans cooler and it stopped puking oil. Now if I accelerate beyond 75 temps will climb to 215 from 203 or so at 65.

if it gets to 215 and it stops for a moment it will stumble like low fuel pressure. Im thinking vapor lock but just cant seem to find were its doing it. But Im also wondering,, I know the 215 temp is not really high but I dont think it should go up 14 deg just because running 75mph vers 65

Im thinking temp issue possible are
1. poor flow inlet , outlet too small at rad
2. rad too small , rad fab shop said this rad is good for a v8 but idk
3. poor air flow idk the cfm of the fan i have so its possible its too low
4. air flow poor because shroud is flat design

Vapor lock issue , I just dont know on that, ideas????

Thanks
Lowell

My normal coolant temp with my car is right around 195 and that's after a long drive.

broken PCV hose off the valve cover leaking a small amount of oil onto the engine??

Stock gauge can do you dirty.I read mine thru a scan tool.Which I got a 160 thermostat mine usually runs around 190 in traffic in the Florida heat with the ac on.170 at 60 mph