Raiator Fan/ Temp Gauge
06-09-2013, 11:41 AM
#1
Raiator Fan/ Temp Gauge So I was driving last night casually, and when I got to my destination about 20 miles or so, I noticed my radiator fans kicked on, No ac used at all, and the temp gauge went slightly past 210. This was odd to me as this never happened before. When I left late at night to go home, the temp gauge was back at its normal level, fans didn't kick in at all on the drive home. Should I be concerned? What are some things I should check as I am unfamiliar with cooling systems, most of my maintenance has been regular usual stuff. Any suggestions/comments greatly appreciated!!
06-09-2013, 12:42 PM
#2
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Were the fans running at low speed or high speed? Low speed operation without the A/C running is very common during warm/hot weather in certain driving conditions (traffic, low speed cruising, idling, etc.)
Since the stock gauge is mostly junk (will read right around "210" for any actual temp between about ~190-230°F), you'd really need a scanner to know what the actual coolant temps were.
With the A/C off, low speed fans engage at 227° and shut down at 217° (with stock tuning). High speed does not cut on until 235°. So depending on which speed they were running at, those settings should give you some indication of engine temp at the time.
It's entirely possibile for a stock LS1 with stock fan tuning to reach 227°F while idling at stop lights, creeping through traffic, or even slow speed cruising in hot conditions. So I would not necessarily be alarmed by what you experienced last night, unless none of those conditions were present.
Since the stock gauge is mostly junk (will read right around "210" for any actual temp between about ~190-230°F), you'd really need a scanner to know what the actual coolant temps were.
With the A/C off, low speed fans engage at 227° and shut down at 217° (with stock tuning). High speed does not cut on until 235°. So depending on which speed they were running at, those settings should give you some indication of engine temp at the time.
It's entirely possibile for a stock LS1 with stock fan tuning to reach 227°F while idling at stop lights, creeping through traffic, or even slow speed cruising in hot conditions. So I would not necessarily be alarmed by what you experienced last night, unless none of those conditions were present.
