Engine Temperature

[Bryan]

So looking at my temperature while driving I notice it never really gets hot while driving. Most of my driving out my way is highway since I live in the country. The daily trip to work involves me going up and down the express way and the engine temperature never really gets even near the middle of the gauge. Not while in town in traffic it kinda sits in a more normal position. Is this normal for these cars? Car right now has 1o6k miles on it.

 

[luigisho]

That's not out of the realm of my experience. Most of my cars have sat towards the middle but some read a little high and some a little lower on the gauge. They are not as uniform and accurate as one would like. What I usually do is note what is normal for the car and look for abnormal readings compared to the noted norm for that car. I mean my temp gauge moves when I turn on and off the headlights so I am suspect of temp readings in my current car.

 

[Bryan]

That's not out of the realm of my experience. Most of my cars have sat towards the middle but some read a little high and some a little lower on the gauge. They are not as uniform and accurate as one would like. What I usually do is note what is normal for the car and look for abnormal readings compared to the noted norm for that car. I mean my temp gauge moves when I turn on and off the headlights so I am suspect of temp readings in my current car.

That must suck when your gauges bounce around when you turn on you headlights. Also thanks for the heads up! I'll try to keep and eye on it and see how it goes.

 

[tracy_s_1993_atx]

My SHO temperature gauge would show lower in the scale when sitting idling with the AC on and almost at the top with the AC off. On hot days(95F+) the temperature would be on the higher side of normal on the interstate.

I solved the question of true temperature by installing a real temperature gauge.

With the AC off and the car idling, the temperature will get to 224F and the fans will come on until the temperature goes down to 218F. With the AC on and the car idling, the temperature stays at 190F.
On the interstate in hot temps(95f+), the temperature stays anywhere between 200F and 215F. On cooler days, the temperature stays around 195F on the interstate.

I hope hat helps.
Michael

 

[Bryan]

Yeah I guess the factory gauges are just unreliable.

 

[zoomlater]

On one car, it rarely ever gets above the L (I've changed thermostats and temp sensors and no difference) and the others are between the R and the M

 

[tommyturbo]

Age and corrosion change the resistance in the system, so that is why they vary. My cars tend to run in lower third of the gauge. Usually having ac on keeps car in lower side since the fan runs anytime car is not moving or at slow speeds.
With ac off and stopped gauge gets to about 2/3rds up and then fan kicks on, drops to half or so and shuts off.
The gauge on my one 95 jumps with headlights or electrical load of fan, nothing too unusual.

I had a Dodge Caravan Turbo that I could peg the gauge to hot by loading up the electrical system (running ac, lights, stereo, keeping power windows switch down, etc all at once ) which was amusing.

 

[BaySHO Performance]

New gauge temp sender needed.
www.autozone.com/engine-management/temperature-switch/duralast-temperature-switch/128785_520149_0_5673?&searchText=TU25

 

[FastCAD]

So looking at my temperature while driving I notice it never really gets hot while driving. Most of my driving out my way is highway since I live in the country. The daily trip to work involves me going up and down the express way and the engine temperature never really gets even near the middle of the gauge. Not while in town in traffic it kinda sits in a more normal position. Is this normal for these cars? Car right now has 1o6k miles on it.

Keep in mind that there are two (2) temp sending sensors.
Facing the thermostat from the drivers side, the (single pin) sensor left of the thermo. is to the instrument cluster.
Check this push on wire for a good connection it can be finicky.
The multi wire sensor to the right of the thermo. goes to the ccrm.
For piece of mind I installed a Fail Safe 180 deg. thermostat by "Moto Rad" (made in Israel) part#7270. this thermo. will not fail closed. Those $5.00 thermo's. make me nervous, always have. lol!
My '91 lives and breathes in so.fla.
p.s. If you ever open the cooling system for repairs do yourself a favor and get a pump to remove all the air from this system. It really makes a difference on the yamahammer.
Best to All;
Joe

 

[chrism3784]

I put the digital dash in, and most the time its sits dead center, 6 bars, but once in a while, lot of idling, or hard accelerating to a dead stop, it starts going up a bar or two, more idling and i seen it 1 bar below H. Worries me, but drives fine and never a problem. After a while when the fan is on goes back to normal. Does it sometimes while driving on hiway with a/c on will go up a bar or two from center normal.

 

[FastCAD]

The fan will always be on with the climate control. Yes, the temp can creep up from normal after hard driving and stopping but it quickly recovers with the climate control on.
Without climate control on the fan does not engage until the (unreliable) sensor sends a signal to the ccrm at the last minute just before the temp reaches N and quickly beyond into aluminum melt down.
I keep my climate control on always. It's a good HVAC system and I know that the fan is on because I can hear it.
That "late to the party" sending unit bit me in the a** long ago and I will never let it happen again even though I shut down quickly and received no damage.
If your not running the climate control ie: w/fan(s) it is "important" to make sure your temp gauge is working properly as per CHRISM post, if not you can be surprised when the (S)***(H)appens(O)ften strikes.
Best to All,
Joe

 

[FastCAD]

The fan will always be on with the climate control. Yes, the temp can creep up from normal after hard driving and stopping but it quickly recovers with the climate control on.
Without climate control on the fan does not engage until the (unreliable) sensor sends a signal to the ccrm at the last minute just before the temp reaches N and quickly beyond into aluminum melt down.
I keep my climate control on always. It's a good HVAC system and I know that the fan is on because I can hear it.
That "late to the party" sending unit bit me in the a** long ago and I will never let it happen again even though I shut down quickly and received no damage.
If your not running the climate control ie: w/fan(s) it is "important" to make sure your temp gauge is working properly as per CHRISM post, if not you can be surprised when the (S)***(H)appens(O)ften strikes.
Best to All,
Joe

 

[itwonder]

Slight clarification; with the A/C on, the fan will be on until vehicle speed reaches 50 MPH.