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Old 06-02-2009   #7
QB93Z
 
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Westminster, Maryland
Posts: 3,684
Default Re: Correct engine coolant temperature

Quote:
Originally Posted by tomtom72 View Post
I agree, I think. It appears to me that my 90 will become more heated if I spend much time in the lower gears, like doing road work where 3rd & 2nd & 4th are used alot....specially if I slow down and cease playing and drive normally. At that point it appears that I heat soak for a good while till the cooling system calms down or catches up to the heat load that I just generated by my sophomoric behavior......it appears that the higher I go in the rev band, and the longer I stay higher in the revs, the more by-passing takes place in my 90's cooling system? It appears if I insist in living up past the 4k mark that after a good while the oil & coolant temps start to spike even if my velocity is at a good clip. I seem to get my best cooling performance when I can keep to about 2k or below in 5th or 6th with a constant speed. Maybe I have something malfunctioning?
Tom,

I think you are seeing two effects.

1. If after a period of spirited driving (increased engine heat load), the temperature is high, you may have a radiator fouling problem. But if the temps are not way high, then the fouling problem is not too severe.

2. The worst cooling capability for my LT5 occurs at light load (5-10% throttle) and low rpm (< 2000 rpm). Because of the notches in the bypass flow valve there is barely sufficient water flowing through the radiator to remove the heat load. At these conditions, even with a perfectly clean radiator and perfect air flow (both fans running) the temperature of the coolant will rise way above the desired temperature.

Jim
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