I bought my car in Canada, but it was from the US with low miles on it. I had the radiator double flushed because it appeared the coolant was breaking down inside of the radiator and cooling passages.

Before I did this the car would get up to nearly 3/4 on the temp gauge on a really hot humid day. After I had the system flushed, I figured the car would run around 1/2 on the temperature gauge. However, it still makes it to 3/4 on a warm day. It seems the fans don't kick in till well past the halfway mark. Is this normal? Or is there something wrong with my car?

What is the normal operating temperature before the fans should kick in? Could it be time to change a sensor? Oh, one more point: It seems if I keep the A/C on the fans keep the car temperature under control.

*Also I have a 180 thermostat in

 

I think thats normal thats how my car is.. Its always super hot down here im in south texas.. Temp goes up to 3/4 for a bit then goes down .. If you want to keep it cooler get the 160 thermostat or a manual fan switch

 

High fans come on above 120C IIRC. Don't know where that is on the gage, though.

 

Thanks, I might look at a manual fan.

I was thinking about getting into road-racing (The pay for legal track type). I wanted to try it on the current cooling system, but I might have to upgrade the radiator before I try it.

 

Yeah I've got a 160 thermostat and fans wired to kick on by the computer and a manual switch. Car is always running nice and cool.

 

Stock fan settings are first fan (or low speed mid-94+) on at 226*F (108*C); second fan (or high speed) on at 235*F (113*C). If you interpolate the hashmarks:

Bottom = 160*F (71*C)
1/4 = 185*F (85*C)
Midpoint = 210*F (~100*C)
3/4 = 235*F (115*C)
Max = 260*F (127*C)

At highway speeds, it would be normal to run in the 1/4-1/2 range. In heavy traffic/stop&go at the mid-point.

 

joe_95z28:
Inspect your air-dam. If it is damaged it may be "folding back" at highway speeds and not directing cool air to the radiator properly. Highway temps should be at most 190 - 200, even in summer.