What Water Temp Do You Normally Observe

[TxDoc]

On a 5.3 L

[RyanbabZ71]

today going home it didnt go over 160 haha.  It is like 15 degrees out though and my trip was 10 min.

 

My truck runs right under 210

[Black02Silverado]

Just under 210 too.

 

[Z71GUY]

same here....notch or so under 210

[MarkD]

Ditto!  GM normally sets its thermostats around 200 degrees to help w/ efficiency.

[Markeaux]

Just a tad under 210 ...  my previous 98 Z28 consistently ran at a certain temp no matter 110 or 20 degrees out but when I refreshed the Dexcool it then ran consistently at a higher temp - I guess the new water/dex mix was different

[TxDoc]

Thanks for the replies!  I was a little concerned as I "thought I remembered" (which is dangerous) my 350 ran cooler. I looked down, when the outside temp was in the 40's, and noticed I was just a tad under 210.

 

Thanks again.

[Corey 68]

My 6.0L runs right under 210 as well.  

[Black02Silverado]

Our 98 Suburban ran at just under 180, thought that was odd and kind of cool but that is what the gage read.

 

[Redapple]

Mine always runs exactly 1.5 lines below 210. Whatever that is.

Bill

[99123456]

Answer: An inaccurate one.

 

Are we talking the analog dash gauge?

 

How many have verified their analog gauge's readout vs. the sensor's output via a scan tool?

 

FWIW, I EASE scanned it, and the difference was ~25*!  With the gauge showing high.  Probably why there are only widely spaced marks on the gauge.  BTW, I believe Porsche went to this style (something like  40* gaps between marks) on their oil temp gauge in the '80's when they could no longer keep their oil temps down after adding emissions/safety related weight, etc.  Probably just an accounting decision here.

[CapnDean]

Wish I knew where I posted the essay on this before...But:

 

Those of us from the pre-computer era KNOW that 180 degrees is target engine temp.  So to us,.. 200+ is runnin' hot.

 

But that's the old way vs the new way.

 

FACT:  The hotter you can run an engine, the more efficient it is.  So IDEALLY, the brink of boilover is the perfect operating temperature.  Which to us old timers is; "eeeeek I am about to overheat".

 

You can replace your stock 195 deg thermostat with a 180 or even 160 deg one if it makes you feel better - - But beeee careful....sometimes the computer may recognize this as being 'an engine that is not fully warmed up' and as a result, the computer could conceivably adjust the fuel/air mix and timing (alas choke the engine some) to compensate.  A performance robbing situation at best.

 

I would recommend leaving it alone if you are not overheating.   Conversely, a fellow who often tows a heavy load in hot weather.....I would probably go to a cooler thermostat in order to give myself some safety zone.

 

Which opens a question I have never thought about:

 

Q) In the absense of a separate transmission fluid cooler, has GM made any changes to their transmissions as a result of the increased operating temperatures?  I mean heck..if your radiator is holding 200 degree coolant instead of 180 degree...that has to transmit into higher transmission temperature right?  

 

Heat = efficiency in an engine, but it =    on a tranny!

[MountaineerTom]

Just below 210 here also.

[silverado man]

Just below 210 here also.

Same here.