low temp guage

[advocate]

Have only had the car for about a month so far, but the temp guage is always on the "L" or just below it during driving, it goes way below the guage when its cold out and I just start the car. If I let it sit and have it at around 2000 rpm (using a screw driver in the throttle) it warms up and goes right to the middle after about 5 minutes. I have replaced the Thermostat and the temp sending unit. Seems to drive ok. I do have an oil leak from a cam seal that will be fixed by the weekend as well. But what else would cause this? where does everyone elses guage sit? the engine doesnt seem to heat up too much as after driving you can touch the intake and its warm but not hot.

thanks in advance.

 

[AutoSHO]

What temp thermostat did you put in? The stock gauge really isn't a precision piece, but most people with a 180 deg. thermostat find thats right on the A in normal, and the 190 degree is between the M and A.

 

[BeatDaSHO]

As long as it is out of the blue area, then you are fine. The L is usually where the MTX's sit so you are good to go.

Greg

 

[haydenm315]

180 is near the top of the O with my 93 mtx. This is verified with a seperate water temp gauge. I think the electrical gauge in the cluster is a bit off and varies from car to car. My fan comes on around the top of O which makes sense.

 

[sdpatt]

At a temperature of 180 degrees, the needle on my temperature gauge is pointing slightly below the "L" in "NORMAL." As long as it is in the NORMAL range after a few minutes of driving, well, then, it's probably normal. Your cooling system sounds like it is working fine.