What temperature should the coolant be at under normal operating conditions?
Currently the ambient varies from 25-65F and my car likes to sit at about 221F. I assume this is high. The fan does come on high when the temp goes above this and brings it down to 221. From what I understand the thermostat is fully opened at 221, so it makes sense that the fan turns on above that. A/C has been gone for years, with the button on off so it shouldn't spin the fan up.
If its high, I'm not sure where to go next. I had a leaky radiator last summer and replaced with a new aftermarket. Perhaps it is not letting enough heat go? Otherwise, coolant and thermostat were replaced at the same time. The OBD is telling me the coolant temp so I assume the ECT is fine. The fan does operate which leads me to believe it and the relay are fine. If the fan should be on low from 190-221, it could be my problem.
I guess my next step would be to replace the radiator (this time with a junkyard one that I verify holds pressure) and see if that helps. The coolant at 221 is probably OK since it shouldn't boil until 275, however it does bubble into the overflow. As concerned as I am about the cooling system, the ATF side is what worries me more. I've got no real way to determine that the oil isn't cooking in it, until the temp trips an error. As I'm doing a reasonable amount of city/mountainous/off-road travel, I feel properly cooling the fluid would be a good idea..
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If you're not driving it "like its stolen," are you really driving?
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