Just curious about whats going on. My 88 runs normaly about 160 to 175 no problems. but when i am in traffic it rockets to 210 or more. I understand this is due to air flow but my question is why dosent it stabilize like other vehicles? Ive read the total cooling article and I have a manual control switch to one of my fans which i turn on in traffic and she stays steady. I just dont think i should have to use it as much as I do. thanks for the info.

 

I've always thought the 3rd gen fans are inferior to later model 2-speed ones but a lot of guys stick to the oldies.

 

Everytime you need to switch the fan manually while in traffic ?

 

There is nothing wrong with your car.

It is designed to run hot for emissions/fuel burn in traffic. Fans without manual switches get even hotter. The fan automatically kicks on at 227* and kicks off at 210*. AF doesn't boil until it gets to 235* or more depending on pressure

When your car is moving cool air is forced thru the radiator, that's why it warms up in traffic -no air flow, hence the need for a fan to pull air thru.

So 210* is nothing.

 

Besides, your temp gauge reads cylinder head temps so it will read a bit warmer than what the engine is actually running at through the intake-typically, its a 15-20 degree difference.

 

cool thanks for the good info.

 

I have a 215* fan temp switch and in traffic my gauge spikes to the hash mark between 220* and 240* before it turns on...so I know my guage is off. Assuming the fan actually turns on at 215*.