here is my problem i think its a problem i dont know. I just recently bought a 95 Trans Am. IT runs great doesnt seem to be any problems. IT only has 74,058 miles on it. Iv been watching the temp gauge and it reads at dead center while driving on the eway. Iv let the car idle and see if it gets any higher but it never does. it read to maybe just a smidge past 210 the fan seems to kick on and bam it goes down on the gauge half way between 210 and 180. It never really gets about 220. My quesion is its 30 degrees outside so is the car ok? ITs not consuming any coolant iv checked that. The air dam underneath the car is still intact. Im used to my 85 running around 180 at all times so any chance im just new to this lol. Iv read that the quages are weighted in the 95 F cars to read center? The car does opperate fine. Any help. THanks

 

If you have no cooling modifications, that's perfectly normal. GM designed the cars to run hot for emissions purposes. Mine never gets above 170 in the summer idling with the 160 thermo, water wetter, and programming.

 

Ok, someone clarify please, you're saying that its normal for the needle to be on the middle line? which is 210 if I'm right? damn...if it is normal, then i've been VERY paranoid. My fans go on at about 175 degrees because it has a switch near the fuse box with a **** that you turn to lower or raise the temp of your fans...yes, I am a n00b to all this as this is my first time EVER owning a camaro and I thought the needle in the middle of the gauge was bad...

 

. That’s pretty much the way mine reads. Dead center most of the time and a little over when it sits and idles for a long period. I put the 180 thermo back in for the winter and I can say it is nice to have hot air one again lol. The heater seems to work allot better at around 200, which is something you won't see with a 160 thermo but wont care about in the summer. So you seem normal for stock
Brad

 

The stock fans programming doesn't even turn the first fan on until 226degF, and the second one on at 235degF. It isn't unusual to see the coolant temp near the middle of the gauge (210degF) in stop and go traffic and idling, but the cooling system is large enough to allow the air velocity through the radiator to keep the system temp down nearer the thermostat value at higher speeds.

If you are always at the mid-point of the gauge, even when cruising at high speeds in cold weather, I'd look at the radiator for something blocking the core - leaves or a baggie. Then check the air bleeder screws to be sure there is no air in the system. If nothing there, might be worth a GOOD cooling system flush and refill with the correct coolant/water mixture, and some Water Wetter.

 

That's true at highway speeds the temp does fall closer to the 190 or so area that would put it little under the halfway mark I do more stop and go trafic around town (and more then I would like to on the interstate ) so the 160 in the summer and the fan switch keeps it around the first notch. If you go over the 3/4 line with the fans on you got a problem. Start thinking head gasket.
Brad

BTW what kind of adjustable switch for the fan do you have? your disciption doesn't ring a bell. and injuneer is right the factory fan temps are realy high!

 

Thanks guys. Im not really conserned about any damage i mean the car runs fine and it never really reches above 210. I am however going to get a cooling system flush and fill just for safety sake. Iv bleed the bleeder valves i had a nice constant stream of coolant so i dont think air in the system is the cause but ill look into that also. Head gasket is a no, the temp isnt that bad. The gauge says 210 but if i pop the hood and feel the houses and fluid its not all that hot at all so im leaning twoards a bad gauge sensor. So its something else im gonna look into. But thanks for all the information about the lt1 guys i apprciate it. Its gonna take some time for me to get used to, i was used to LB9 TPI 305. So thanks guys. If you have anymore information slap it on id apprciate it.