Coolant Temp question

[BDG71]

Hello all! Quick question...driving my G.N. in 90 degree weather, with the Air Conditioner on, my cars coolant got to 200 degrees. I was in some traffic. The car seemed fine. What's the max temp?? What's dangerous?

 

['87 Turbo "T"]

220ish. Your temp light come on?

Front mount? Thermostat working? Both fans working & working up to snuff? Radiator in good condition(no build up).

Some guys run RMI 25 to help with cooling.

 

[jlat]

Hello people, good question. I think you're good, but do tell if your TB is stock or not. have fun
IBBY

 

[BDG71]

Yes, basically a stock car...everything works. I just wasn't sure how high I should let the temp get. At what temp does the "idiot light" come on?

 

[BDG71]

Stock T.B.

 

['87 Turbo "T"]

Yes, basically a stock car...everything works. I just wasn't sure how high I should let the temp get. At what temp does the "idiot light" come on?

250*

 

[Turbo6inKY]

250*

Docs I've seen say 225.

In any case, 200 isn't anything to worry about in traffic if it's stable.

 

[jlat]

hello peoples: To the OP, if your TB is new 2 U find out everything about it from where U got it. Make a list and tell what U came up with.
The weather here in Mass. has been really hot and humid, and that doesn't help with anything.
IBBY

 

[BDG71]

Great info...thanks to all!!

 

[GNVYUS 1]

What gauge is reading 200, Autometer electric sender or dash etc?

I can tell you this from having duplicate gauges in all my cars for redundancy (visual and in computer to log) some of these gauges aren't very accurate, factory sometimes are the worst.

 

[BDG71]

Yes...Autometer, electric send. The gauge was near 200. The scan master said 200. I just wasn't sure how high the temp should safely go.

 

[Turbo6inKY]

Yes...Autometer, electric send. The gauge was near 200. The scan master said 200. I just wasn't sure how high the temp should safely go.

It's a cast iron block and heads. It can get quite hot before actual damage occurs. The thing that kills you is coolant boiling, creating gas voids where things get really hot really fast with no fluid to carry the heat away.

With a 50/50 ethylene glycol mix and a stock 16psi cap, the coolant isn't going to boil until 250+. The sensors in the manifold are also positioned on the coolant's way OUT of the engine, so those temps are the hottest spot in the engine under normal conditions.

So 200 is safe. It's not going to make power, but nothing is going to fail. As long as it's stable. If something isn't right (clogged radiator, crap in the system) and it tips into a runaway situation, that's where it gets bothersome.

 

[BDG71]

Great information. This clip explains the science.