I just purchased a '95 Z28 and was wandering what the coolant temperature should average under normal driving conditions. I read on a sticky that the stock thermostat opens at 180-185(can't remember), but approximately how much should the gauge read. It's been averaging about 185F-195F on a cool day. Haven't really been able to take it tearing down the highway to get it warmed up real good yet because it isn't registered(like I said, just got it).

Also, the temperature rises as the car idles and goes back down once your moving down the highway again. The woman I bought it from said she had just recently noticed it was getting way too hot when you leave it sitting idleing. The cooling fans seem to be working fine. I tested them by turning the A/C on and looking at the two rear and they seem to be blowing adequetly. I haven't check the 3rd yet because it has a braw on the front and I haven't gotten around to takeing it off yet. Anyone have any ideas?

 

You have to check if the fans come on by themselves, rather than when the AC is turned on. If the gauge stays out of the red you should be OK. Check the sticky on top of this section.

 

Cool, thanks for the sticky on that. Would you happen to know where the temp sensor is in a 95 Z28?

 

i just read the sticky and i have a question...

my ecu is bad so i ran a toggle to turn the fans on and off. i ran a wire to the relay box to only one relay plug-in, and drew power from the horn and cigar lighter fuse inside the car(i think its a 25 amp fuse). both fans somehow run. when i turn the fans on are they full speed? and ive been flicking them on at around the middle line on the guage, which i assume is around 210. when idling, it will still go up slowly to the point of it being too hot (around 235-240..) is this setup ok? and how fast are the fans running? thanks

and i roughly know where that temp sensor is... if i remember correctly, it is a plug-in on the driver side head.. i could be wrong, but its been a while since ive changed it

 

When the fans are on high speed you can hear them pretty well with the hood closed, sort of a high pitched drone. The ECT sensor is screwed in into water pump near the bottom. There are 3 relays involved with the fans, depending on on which combination of relays is on or off, determines which fans come on or what speed they run at.

 

Well looks like I'll be replaceing a temp sensor this weekend. Took the Z for a drive and let it get up to 185-190 then drove it home and let it idle for a few minutes until it reached 210. Then I popped the hood and checked the fans. The front one you could hear going, the rear 2 however weren't doing anything. I even stuck my hands in front of the fan shrouds and they weren't doing squat. Then I turned the A/C on and they instantly kicked on and the temperature instantly started dropping until it got back down to 185-190. That's just wierd. Anyway, I'm hoping that temp sensor is cheap. You guys know if Autozone or Advance Auto would carry one of thoughs or is it a dealer part?

 

Temp sensors gofor about $25, and they are common items carried by most parts stores. Personally, when it comes to sensors, I prefer to spend a few extra bux and get them from a dealer, as I want to be sure they work the way the car maker intended.