98TransAmAngryBird

Hey guys I have a quick question... My 98 trans am is completely stock and I was just wondering what temp it is supposed to be running at?? When I am on the freeway it consistently runs at 180, but when i hit the streets it will heat up to 210.. Should I be worried about this??? I added some dexcool but that didnt change anything.. What does the stock thermostat run at?

thanks

mannyman84

iTrader: (2)

I think that's around right. Shouldnt pass 220

XpEdItIoUs

iTrader: (44)

does the temp go past 210 on idle or street driving? More info would help.

CaliforniaBoy5

iTrader: (16)

If you are looking at your temp gauge in your cluster its not a representation of the actual tempurature in real time. I have a Aeroforce gauge and on the freeway I consistenly run between 195-200. I believe the stock thermostat is at 187 F

jim ravencraft

Hi,
a couple of options to consider, providing cooling system is working properly.
160 /thermostat/ flush system and refill to specs. I would replace radiator cap
to assure proper pressure on system. The fans can be set to turn on at lower temps. Make sure coolant is circulating after engine warms up. Use caution to avoid injury.......best of luck and happy easter to you and your family..jim

00SSLS1

iTrader: (7)

98s had a real temp guage

tripblackls1

iTrader: (11)

yea i still would not trust it though!

black_phoenix

iTrader: (27)

i have a 98 trans am as well near stock... i had the same issue where when im driving the car keeps cool at about 180 but as soon as i stop it heats up to 210. Ive been told its a normal thing and common in 98's!

Nothing to worry about man

This is the response ive got when i made a thread:

"Those temps seem normal. The '98 temp gage works better than the other years, and shows more movement as coolant temps change. They will reach that 210 mark when moving slow enough, and/or idling for long enough in warm outside temps. But as you can see, once you start moving it cools back down. This is because the stock fan settings are designed to run the engine very hot at idle. You can change this with custom tuning if you wish.

Mine used to behave exactly like yours, then I changed the fan settings and now it's always hovering right around the mark between 160 and 210, no matter how long it sits idling."

98TransAmAngryBird

Thats legit man! Ok sounds good. Ya because if my car sits idle long enough it will actually slowly decline and sit at about 200.... Ya im going to get a tune soon so ill just have it set so that it will consistently run at 180. thanks guys!

98TransAmAngryBird

Thanks jim

ConElite

iTrader: (6)

get a 160 thermostat and reprogram the fans. then you will be ok

Dan

iTrader: (1)

My 98 runs around the 1st notch or just below, my 99 runs between the 1st & 2nd notch. Both have 160* thermostats, Like someone said, the 98 gauge is a little more accurate.

BeemerZ28

iTrader: (5)

You can always plug a scan tool into the obd2 port and look at the temp that way, too

FearlessWonder

My 99 trans am is overheating. I filled the coolant and got a new radiator cap and the issue is still a problem. I can run my car for about 10 minutes and it still overheats. What should I look into for fixing the problem?

Burken01

iTrader: (88)

Blown head gasket?

Are you leaking coolant anywhere? If not and the coolant level keeps sinking then you probably blew the head gasket and it's getting burned up in the engine.

FearlessWonder

The radiator isn't filled all the way with coolant. Should I try doing that and burping it? My pcv valve hose has a 2 inch gas in it and I didn't notice it until today. That do any damage?

Burken01

iTrader: (88)

Well yeah try adding coolant and burping it if you recently services it, but if you keep noticing the coolant level drop and you don't see any dripping anywhere then you might want to think about a head gasket issue.