yes, it should be able to hit around 205 or so safely. These new engines are designed to run pretty hot as compared to earlier cars. Something to do with thermal efficiency. These most likely have a 195 degree thermostat in them.

 

Should be. Mine runs an average of 196. Just make sure you watch the temp gauge, not just the temp on the DIC.

 

I've hit 228 several times after dyno runs...not a pretty sight!

On an LA freeway once, stuck in traffic on a hot day it got up to 215 for a few minutes, but after all the hard dynoing we've done, I'm not too worried about the HHR overheating during regular driving.

With the CGS intake, my "normal" operating temp is around 192.

 

I used to run 202 to 206 and now i have the Royal Purple and CGS i am running 192 to 196.

very pleased here

 

Hey Mike, that is interesting.....

If your engine temperature is 210F, would your transmission temperature be the same??

I'm asking because the guys I formerly worked with said, "If the transmission temp. hits 210-215f change the trans fluid NOW. If you hit 220, for any length of time, you "cooked" the trans!!!!

Coming back from redland this past weekend I got stuck in some traffic on the Arizona side of I-10 (ambient 110) I hit 208-210 on engine temp. a couple of times....that has me worried. Could this cause premature trans problems???

 

Try this site.....

http://www.txchange.com/heatchrt.htm

 

Good post Pacerman....Good info on that chart...I was going to say, with GM TH350 & TH400 tranny's, you were safe til the magic number 260...then you had to get a tow....
I have a 3800 rpm stall converter in my Chevelle with a Tranny Temp. Gauge and it runs normal at around 180....launch it from a few stop lights and run it through the gears a few times and it gets up to 220 - 240...then I drive like I have some sense and it comes right back to 180-190.....

 

Hey a big thanks Pacerman.... :twothumbs

The referred site provides part of the answer regarding the temperature and "cooking" the trans.

Still wondering about the engine temp. and the trans temp. relationship. But I suppose logic would dictate....if the engine reaches 300+ you would "cook" everything anyhow.

 

I hit 250 briefly while experincing overheating. The temp guage was still one tick away from red and no check engine light. The temp dropped twenty degress very quickly once I got moving. At the dealership the service advisor duplicated the temperature and the A/C shut itself off, but still no warning light. After they repalced the thermostat they ran it for an hour in the shop and never got over 202. I'm running Mobil 1 and I'm glad I do.

 

I think there must have been a batch of bad thermostats. Keep your eyes open people. Now back to my ongoing saga...

I was supposed to get my HHR back yesterday (Sat) at noon. At 11:00, the service rep called me to say that they had run into a snag. I had asked them to check out the DIC because the outside temp seemed to be sticking on one temperature reading and not going up and down as it does in my suburban.

After replacing my engine, they started working on the DIC. Remember now that my overheat warning light did not come on until after the damage was done to the engine. So they thought it best to do some check. The service manager decided to replace that whole unit... which of course they didn't have and couldn't get on a Saturday. So Monday they will express order the part, get it on Tuesday and MAYBE I will be back in my HHR on Wednesday. That will lack one day being two weeks in the shop.

I wasn't too upset. I told him I would rather them keep it long and fix it right than to get it back and have more problems.