06-04-2010, 06:44 AM
|
#1
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: fl
Posts: 32
|
Normal engine temp indication
What is a normal reading on the temp gauge? When "normal" operating temp is reached, it fluctuates between the right side of the 8 and the middle of the zero (when on stop and go traffic). I have own other watercooled cars and the temp gauge wouldnt fluctuate once the normal operating temp was reached. Any issues here? thanks.
|
|
|
06-04-2010, 07:20 AM
|
#2
|
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: It's a kind of magic.....
Posts: 6,273
|
First of all, be aware that the dash gauge is grossly inaccurate as well as non-linear. With an OEM thermostat that begins to open at around 185F, if the dash is showing around “180”, the engine is actually around 210F, or higher………
__________________
“Anything really new is invented only in one’s youth. Later, one becomes more experienced, more famous – and more stupid.” - Albert Einstein
|
|
|
06-04-2010, 09:05 AM
|
#3
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: fl
Posts: 32
|
thanks JFP, all I was wondering whether it is normal to have the temp gauge swing from between the 8 and the zero (normal temp at normal driving) to passing the half of the zero, at stop and go conditions. Once normal cruise it resumed, it goes back to the original indication, which is between the eight and the zero, straight up. Dont know what temp that is, the gauge is rather fancy than accurate when it comes to readings, all I need to know if that is considered normal. I live in South Florica, and it gets warm, plus traffic here is rather a constant issue. Thanks again.
|
|
|
06-05-2010, 10:03 AM
|
#5
|
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: It's a kind of magic.....
Posts: 6,273
|
It doesn’t move abnormally, it is just ridiculously inaccurate…………..
__________________
“Anything really new is invented only in one’s youth. Later, one becomes more experienced, more famous – and more stupid.” - Albert Einstein
|
|
|
06-05-2010, 10:51 AM
|
#6
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: fl
Posts: 32
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by m208334
|
Could not download the video, but this ia what I get, will yours go to the traffic marking? thanks.
|
|
|
06-05-2010, 01:33 PM
|
#7
|
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: United States
Posts: 22
|
Yes. Your "Traffic" is when the side fans should be kicking in. However, it takes a fairly hot day and a few traffic lights for the temp to rise from from "No Traffic" to "Traffic".
Note: Agree that it may be inaccurate. I think I misread the original question.
Last edited by m208334; 06-05-2010 at 01:35 PM.
|
|
|
06-05-2010, 01:47 PM
|
#8
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: fl
Posts: 32
|
thanks a lot, it sure takes some time to get there, weather is hot and traffic is heavy down here. Have a good one!
|
|
|
06-05-2010, 03:11 PM
|
#9
|
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 82
|
I usually pop the AC on when it starts to push into the zero, that helps keep the temp down in traffic. I was worried that perhaps my fans were malfunctioning, but that is not the case.
Has anyone done a mod to kick the fans in sooner, if only for psychological comfort?
|
|
|
06-05-2010, 04:07 PM
|
#10
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Ohio
Posts: 868
|
Mr Obvious
Okay, so 99% of you already know this, but I can't resist.
Turning on the AC will make your engine run hotter, not cooler.
If you really need to cool the engine a bit, turn on the heater full blast.
|
|
|
06-05-2010, 04:19 PM
|
#11
|
Porscheectomy
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Seattle Area
Posts: 3,011
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by edbelton
What is a normal reading on the temp gauge? When "normal" operating temp is reached, it fluctuates between the right side of the 8 and the middle of the zero (when on stop and go traffic). I have own other watercooled cars and the temp gauge wouldnt fluctuate once the normal operating temp was reached. Any issues here? thanks.
|
That's completely normal and fine for your engine to be in that range.
|
|
|
06-05-2010, 04:21 PM
|
#12
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: fl
Posts: 32
|
if the fan switch doent work, then turning the ac will help, since it will turn the fan on full blast, about the heater, I used to do that in an old vw I had, it makes the water in the heater core circulate, allowing more coolant in the system... good trick, but only as last resource, it gets really hot, top down I guess
|
|
|
06-05-2010, 04:23 PM
|
#13
|
Porscheectomy
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Seattle Area
Posts: 3,011
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by schnellman
Okay, so 99% of you already know this, but I can't resist.
Turning on the AC will make your engine run hotter, not cooler.
If you really need to cool the engine a bit, turn on the heater full blast.
|
Turning on the AC engages a fan that pulls air through the condenser, which also happens to pull more air through the radiator, which lowers the car's coolant temperature.
Turning on the heat operates the fan through the heater coil, which is simply just another radiator that runs through the car's passenger cabin instead of outside the car. It will also lower the engine's operating temperature, but can make things pretty uncomfortable.
|
|
|
06-05-2010, 04:25 PM
|
#14
|
Porscheectomy
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Seattle Area
Posts: 3,011
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by edbelton
if the fan switch doent work, then turning the ac will help, since it will turn the fan on full blast, about the heater, I used to do that in an old vw I had, it makes the water in the heater core circulate, allowing more coolant in the system... good trick, but only as last resource, it gets really hot, top down I guess
|
In our cars, the coolant is always circulating through the heater core.
|
|
|
06-05-2010, 05:17 PM
|
#15
|
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chicago suburbs
Posts: 1,675
|
Do your car a favor and install the 160 degree thermostat. It may not do much in stand still traffic, but will certainly help all the other times. As JFP stated, the cars run considerably hotter than is indicated on the gauge, which translates to really hot oil temps.
I didn't see if your car was a standard, but if so, also install the "S" engine mounted oil cooler for greater heat dissipation.
__________________
JGM
2002 Boxster S
1973 911 Green FrankenMeanie
PCA DE Instructor circa '95
Last edited by jmatta; 06-05-2010 at 05:21 PM.
|
|
|
06-05-2010, 05:55 PM
|
#16
|
Engine Surgeon
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Cleveland GA USA
Posts: 2,425
|
we recently gathered some data from a 2000 986S. This engine was running 246F oil temps with the coolant temp at 210, the gauge only said the engine was running a 190F coolant temp.
Adding a low temp thermostat was one of the ways I added the .5 MPH my Wife needed to set a land Speed Record in my 996, actually she broke 4 in one weekend!
__________________
Jake Raby/www.flat6innovations.com
IMS Solution/ Faultless Tool Inventor
US Patent 8,992,089 &
US Patent 9,416,697
Developer of The IMS Retrofit Procedure- M96/ M97 Specialist
|
|
|
06-05-2010, 09:16 PM
|
#17
|
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 82
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by schnellman
Okay, so 99% of you already know this, but I can't resist.
|
Sometimes obvious ain't right.
|
|
|
06-06-2010, 01:08 PM
|
#18
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: fl
Posts: 32
|
[QUOTE=jmatta]Do your car a favor and install the 160 degree thermostat.QUOTE]
Help me out here, I don't understant the advantage of having a thermostat that opens at 160F. Always thought the thermostat allows the engine to warm up more quickly by restricting some of the coolant from circulating in the system. Once that temp is reached (be it 160 or 185) the thermostat opens and have no control over the final normal operating temp. Thanks.
|
|
|
06-06-2010, 01:14 PM
|
#19
|
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: trenton nj
Posts: 449
|
the fan on/off temps have a large impact on coolant temps. does /can anyone adjust them when they put a lower stat in ?
|
|
|
06-06-2010, 01:30 PM
|
#20
|
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Frederick, MD
Posts: 1,396
|
[QUOTE=edbelton]
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmatta
Do your car a favor and install the 160 degree thermostat.QUOTE]
Help me out here, I don't understant the advantage of having a thermostat that opens at 160F. Always thought the thermostat allows the engine to warm up more quickly by restricting some of the coolant from circulating in the system. Once that temp is reached (be it 160 or 185) the thermostat opens and have no control over the final normal operating temp. Thanks.
|
the current understanding is the stock thermostat doesn't start to open until 185, and fully open until 212. the LN thermostat is fully open at 185, allowing the engine to run cooler. also allowing the oil to stay cooler, and the transmission to run cooler..
__________________
"Speed has never killed anyone, suddenly becoming stationary... that's what gets you."
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is On
|
|
|
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:41 PM.
| |