What is normal operating temperature? My 00 S runs at 215

[Overdrive]

The temperature will naturally go up whenever you're in traffic or not crusing at higher speeds, and when you really get on the car and run it hard, but I don't think I've ever seen my temp needle get dangerously close to that tick mark beyond the 180. Now that could of course mean that my gauges or off, or yours could be off, but there's nothing wrong with getting it checked out just to be sure.

As someone mentioned above, check that the fans for both radiators up front are turning on (they should both kick on when you use your AC, if one doesn't then that's a good indicator), but that's a good place to start. They blow hard and plenty of heat comes off of them if you place your hand under the bumper where they exhaust, so there won't be any mistaking whether or not they're on, you'll hear and feel it.

[jaykay]

You are running too hot. If there are no other obvious cooling system issues you might want to change your thermostat

[Overdrive]

Originally Posted by jaykay

You are running too hot. If there are no other obvious cooling system issues you might want to change your thermostat

If it turns out to be the culprit, that makes for a good excuse to put in a low temp (160) thermostat.

[jhandy]

If you hooked up one of those real time DME readers you will be supprised. The actual temp will go to around 235ish, if your fans are on high up front, then you are close, I think they turn on at 210.

Quick cheap thing you can do that works is Redline Water Wetter. 10$ at autoparts store. Worked great for me.
Also if not already done, remove bumper and clean the rads up front, lossen the front ones, and clean inbetween.

You can get a Radiator comb from autoparts store, 5$, it will fix all of the messed up fins that you have.

[sasha055]

How do you guys know exact temperature?

I have 3 marks on my gauge 100, 180 and 250
Usually temp sits at the end of 8 beginning of 0 in 180. In traffic it gets to the end of 0, that's when the fans start and it goes back to the beginning of 0.

If I have AC on and driving in traffic it's always sits at the end of 0

Is it high? what temperature is the mark after 180?

Thanks
Sasha

[san rensho]

Originally Posted by sasha055

How do you guys know exact temperature?

I have 3 marks on my gauge 100, 180 and 250
Usually temp sits at the end of 8 beginning of 0 in 180. In traffic it gets to the end of 0, that's when the fans start and it goes back to the beginning of 0.

If I have AC on and driving in traffic it's always sits at the end of 0

Is it high? what temperature is the mark after 180?

Thanks
Sasha

Mine runs at exactly the same temps you have. The temp mark after 180 is 215. The temp guages are notoriously innacurate.

If you have a 2000 or older, you can read realtime coolant temp on the climate control display. Press the recirc and arrow up button simultaneously for 5 seconds, the screen that shows the set temp will now show a number followed by the letter c. Use the +/- buttons to scroll to 6c, press the center vent button and it will display coolant temp in centigrade. Download a F/C conversion chart from the interwebs annd you will see how much hotter the coolant is really running from the temperature indicated by the temp guage.

[sasha055]

Do you have to have OBC enabled for that? or it works on cars that don't have OBC enabled?

I have a 2000 base and I didn't do OBC mod yet.

Thanks
Sasha

[jhandy]

Originally Posted by sasha055

How do you guys know exact temperature?

I have 3 marks on my gauge 100, 180 and 250
Usually temp sits at the end of 8 beginning of 0 in 180. In traffic it gets to the end of 0, that's when the fans start and it goes back to the beginning of 0.

If I have AC on and driving in traffic it's always sits at the end of 0

Is it high? what temperature is the mark after 180?

Thanks
Sasha

I bought this: http://www.scangauge.com/
It will show real time read outs of all sorts of things.
It was informative because it showed that my "cold air" intake was hotter than stock, and that the engine temp was really high.
Also it help me prove to myself that the low temp thermostat and redline water wetter worked in lowering my water temp by 20 degrees.

[ChrisZang]

Originally Posted by jhandy

I bought this: http://www.scangauge.com/
It will show real time read outs of all sorts of things.
It was informative because it showed that my "cold air" intake was hotter than stock, and that the engine temp was really high.
Also it help me prove to myself that the low temp thermostat and redline water wetter worked in lowering my water temp by 20 degrees.

Hey
Does scangauge also read out oil temp?

Thanks