I have a 91 RS 305 V8 that is having issues. It was running hot (getting into the red), so changed the radiator fluid, which was looking sad. I also checked the valve that switches to cool air once it gets warm enough and it is also good. Fan does kick on also. Just got my oil changed and for the first time they told me it was burned and low due to burning up. This is a first for my ride, which only has 50k miles on it. What is the normal running temp for it and at what temp should the fan kick on?

Thanks in advance.
Pete

 

The thermostat is fully open by 195 deg if its stock. SO i think the normal runnin temp should be around there while driving. In real close conditions when your stoppin a lot and not a lot of air flow comming at the car the fan turns on around 225. So I would say no higher than 230 - 200. I have an 89 RS 305 that was missing the air dam and it wouldnt always get up to 230 until the fan turned on. I replaced the fan switch to make it come on at 185 so I'm always runnin around 170 - 190.

best of luck
Tom

 

Sounds like i got a problem. my engine runs on the hotter side. my car usually runs at 220, with the fan kicking on at 230-240 (like it should, sorta). i have a 180 degree thermostat (i believe). any ideas why so hot?

 

Camp that is about how mine runs also. For some reason though it would also get into the red at times, which was when I was burning my oil I guess. I had my radiator flushed and I am not sure if the burned oil could have come before or after that so maybe that is a normal temp for some. Let me know if you find anything out as to why yours is also doing that.

 

Mine runs about 160 while I'm moving, if I have to go throw town traffic it gets up to around 200/210 and if things get real bad it will hit 220. It did this with the stock stat and with the 180.

------------------
1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula LO3/700R4
-180 degree stat, Hooker Cat-Back, Wonder Bar
Waiting for install: Open element 14x3, 95 vette LT1 cam
**Coming Sometime**
4th gen seats, 3.42/torsen(posi), Edlebrock Performer TBI intake, headers, y-pipe and cat, afpr
http://www.geocities.com/krt80/

 

Mine hovers around 220-230 and stays there, no matter if its in traffic or moving. If its really really hot though, and it traffic, it'll hit a little above that but never has gone higher than 240 or so. No mods whatsoever.

 

My92 R/S 305 ran warm since I bought it used. At 230 with the air on it would start missing. Here's what I did.

Bought the dual fan set up used. Ran one fan from a Jet thermal switch that turns on at 195/ac on. The other rans off a seperate switch that's adjustable. (on the radiator).
I run the standard thermostat in the winter and a 185 in the summer. It runs about 185 up to 210 maybe once in a while but comes back down with the second fan. I'd start with the lower temp fan switch and make sure everything else is right.

Bear Tracks

 

Oh yeah, this is typical for a single fan motor. It's for emissions but it's hell on the engine.

 

Make sure you have an air dam. This is only a $30 item from the dealer and makes a world of difference. Also if you do have one and its bent back at an angle or ground down from scraping - it probably isn't doing much good - replace it.

[This message has been edited by simon (edited August 06, 2001).]

 

So the air dam has to be str8 oops time for a new one

------------------
1988 Sport Coupe 305 TBI
K&N
Flowmaster exhaust


Daily driver:
1988 K1500 5.7 4x4 shortbed flowmaster cat-back gutted cat.
AOL: RyanNH84

 

Here's the PN:

14083929 Deflector

The PN I listed is for the Camaro. This is a direct fit and took 15 mins to install. My dam was missing completely from the time I bought it. If this is your case as well then chances are you are missing the mouting bolts as well. These will not come with the dam and can be purchased at any hardware store. I would also recommend using the largest washers that will fit with the dam, as this will help to hold the dam securely in place. These things take a beating on the road. Eventually, I will take a pic of the dam so people know what it is and were it is located (under the radiator core support). I've heard some people think its the front chin spoiler - oops.