ECT. how hot is too hot?

non-vtec · Post by **non-vtec** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 8:25 pm

hey guys. just wondering what kind of ECT everyone is seeing? i have ECT overheat protection enabled with ectune at 215f. and just today after about a 1.5hour long drive mostly on the highway with the a/c on it was fine. no issues until i pulled off the highway into the city traffic i hit the overheat protection rev limiter which i set at 2500rpm. I'm not exactly sure how hot it was but obviously over 215f. to the users who are using the overheat protection what are you setting it at? how hot is to hot for the engine?

Adam Hopkins · Post by **Adam Hopkins** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 8:33 pm

I do not not like to see mine go over 200, But I am a worry wart. Do you not have a fan working or something? I have seen several cars run in 100 degree plus weather with no overheating issues on cars that have the half size radiator. Also replace your t-stat if you have not in a while.

timmydogg · Post by **timmydogg** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 8:39 pm

might want to check for any air in the coolant system too. i also saw really high temps when i was running just plain water. added some purple ice and that brought my temps down 15 degrees. my car is a drag only car, after burnout temps would be around 175 and at the end of a 1/4 mile they were 215. added purple ice and now they're at 200 at the end. wamrs up faster and cools down faster too.

non-vtec · Post by **non-vtec** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 8:49 pm

t-stat is fairly new....but a t-stat does not control maximum ECT the cooling fans/rad does. once the t-stat opens it's job is done. the t-stat was not stuck closed if that is what you were thinking. i have 2 cooling fans. and the fan switch is also new. the fans were pretty much on all the time especially with the a/c on. full size integra radiator....no issues there as far as i can tell. i should mention that today was pretty hot outside too. it was about 90deg....but felt like closer to 100deg with the humidity. i guess the combination of the long highway drive with the engine buzzing at a constant 3000-3500rpm with the a/c on and the hot outside temp as soon as i came into traffic the under hood and ECT temp got up higher than average..... normally when i datalog with ectune i see temps around 198-205 around traffic in the city. a little less when moving on the highway... do you guys think 215f is to hot and will cause any engine damage??

greasemonkee · Post by **greasemonkee** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 10:27 pm

What is the temp differential between the upper and lower radaiator hose?

Adam Hopkins · Post by **Adam Hopkins** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 10:43 pm

I have also seen clogged up radiators, also if it is real dirty it will not cool correctly. If you do not want to drop the cash on a radiator you could try cleaning it with air conditioner acid. It will make the radiator look brand new. No matter what your car should not run that hot if your cooling system is working correctly.

JaredKaragen · Post by **JaredKaragen** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 12:46 am

I have seen up to 225F on my vehicle during a few tuning sessions on a hot day at higher speeds; I had an airflow issue to my radiator.