thermostat temp

[TDWPgtp]

what is the average temperature for a stock 97 grand prix gtp

[BNaylor]

Everyone's engine temperature will vary. The stock thermostat is rated at 195 degrees so the engine operating temperature should be somewheres around the regulating temperature of the thermostat and as long as the cooling system is working properly and no other issues.

[TDWPgtp]

ha thanks. i got some problems then haha. shit

[00GTP4ME]

Originally Posted by TDWPgtp

ha thanks. i got some problems then haha. shit

What is yours running at?

[TDWPgtp]

uhh it varies from around 196 but frequently increases upwards to around maybe 225? there was one really hot day where it might have hit around 235 briefly.

[00GTP4ME]

Originally Posted by TDWPgtp

uhh it varies from around 196 but frequently increases upwards to around maybe 225? there was one really hot day where it might have hit around 235 briefly.

Eh, I don't know if that's a HUGE problem, but it's definitely on the hotter end. On average, I'd say mine stays around 185-195. If I'm stopped at a light it might go to 210 or a little higher on a really hot day, but not that often.

[BNaylor]

235 degrees or even 225 is too high unless you live in Death Valley. Is your A/C working properly and are the cooling fans turning on?

[grandprixgtx00]

yeah, mine never goes past 210. the only time it hits that is if i sit at a stop light, or am stuck in traffic. your car should never go above 210. I'd say either your cooling fans arnt coming on...or you got a water pump going bad.

I'd start your car in your driveway and let it idle. watch the temp and if it starts getting real hot...see if your cooling fan kicks on. if not...my first suggestion is to check the cooling fan relay/fuse

[TDWPgtp]

ha about the A/C. it broke a while back. the resevoir or whatever cracked and then the pump burnt out. as far as i know the fans work but then again ive never actually checked. will do tomorow tho and ill let you know

[BNaylor]

You mean the A/C compressor?

Without the A/C working properly in especially the warmer months of the year it is common to see the engine temperature rise up a few ticks. Otherwise, the cooling fans turn on at around 220 degrees F in low speed and 230 degrees F in high speed. With an operational A/C system the cooling fans turn on sooner or when certain parameters are met like ECT and refrigerant pressure, etc.

Check both cooling fans and see if they do turn on but remember the above.

[CrazyHorst]

Coolant will run 195F even in Death Valley....unless....you are towing a trailer uphill at slow speeds. Consider that even in DV there's still nearly a 90F "delta T" between the two working fluids and so the radiator will transfer a fair amount of heat.

Also the radiator doesn't work very well below 30mph...but in most cases (exception of above) it doesn't have to either.

The coolant temp will toggle up and down as the thermostat opens and closes...until the tstat goes wide open to stay (due to the lack of heat rejection) and then fan cycling starts if everything is working well.

I'm not a huge fan of the glass-filled nylon that GM used on some parts of the 3800's cooling system...it seems to decay over time. YMMV.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by CrazyHorst

Coolant will run 195F even in Death Valley....unless....you are towing a trailer uphill at slow speeds. Consider that even in DV there's still nearly a 90F "delta T" between the two working fluids and so the radiator will transfer a fair amount of heat.

My comment was actually joke but if you insist.

If you are saying the engine temperature in for example my GTP will never get over 195 degrees in desert locations like Death Valley, Mojave, Salton Sea, Imperial Valley So Cal., Nevada. Arizona and most of the desert Southwest with high heat/temperatures then I've got news for you. You must be living on another planet. I've been all over that area over the past years and you don't have to be pulling a trailer either. I've seen at least 210-215 degrees with a fully operational or properly working cooling system but not high enough for the cooling fans to turn on so it is in that dead zone area especially at idle or stop and go traffic situations. The vehicle moving at speeds above 30-40 mph is a moot issue as long as the cooling system is good and all is working properly. You'll get plenty of airflow through the radiator due to the vehicle moving. Regardless, the cooling fans are turned off or inhibited from operating at around 40 mph and above. As far as cooling fan cycling the cooling fan turn on points is around 220 degrees F for low speed and 230 degrees F for high speed. That is the way the PCM module is programmed if stock which is an issue for many of us at one time or another. The only way to overcome the so called deficiency is with a re-programmed PCM module which will turn on the cooling fans at around 180 degrees give or take. I installed a DHP PCM back then and never saw anything over 190 degrees even with the A/C off. With A/C on around 180 degrees. Same holds true in my area during the hot months. My latest Intense PCM module works very similar but it has additional Phase 2 custom programming for the dragstrip and my existing mods. The key is getting the cooling fans to turn on to cool the coolant circulating through the radiator at lower speeds or in typical city idling/stop and go situations. As I pointed out to the OP having an operational A/C system is the key in most cases if stock.