curtisad

iTrader: (4)

My 98 Z28 runs at around 185 according to the guage. When I am stuck in traffic or idling for a while it goes to 210 but quickly goes back to 185 when I get moving again. I have the stock Thermostat (so I was told) which opens at 195 and my fans are supposed to come on at 220. So why is my car running that cool? Is that normal? My truck goes to mid range on the guage then never moves. Thanks guys

Curtis

Ravenous T\A

iTrader: (12)

Fbodies Temp gauges are known to be off a bit.

Nix_WS7

Yeah im having the same problem also on my T/A. Its Runs just above the 160 mark on the temp gauge. When Idling runs about 210 then once I get moving cools down really fast back to what looks like 170 id guess. If I had a snap on scanner id hook it up to the DLC and see what the computer was reading. My only consern is that its running in open loop if the gauge is right.

Pewterpower

and that's why those of us with newer ones have a "dummy" gauge...

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

That is not correct. The stock stat begins to open around 180 (actually 176-184 per GM manual). 195 is the temp at which it is fully open. But that is the reason you will see running temps cooler than 195 in cool weather when the car is moving, because the stat is already passing coolant at ~180 and air is moving across the radiator at speed hence you see temps under 195.

The temp gage in the '98 cars is pretty accurate. '99 and up get a dummy gage that basically stays at 210 once the car warms up even if your actual coolant temp is ranging between about 180-230.