4kq running cold

[Phillips, Kevin]

Your thermostat seems to be on the cool side but I don't know what its
suppose to be, however your readings point to a well balanced system so I
think all is well. Would be interesting to keep this setup during the
summer. I suspect it would show that all I-5 cooling systems are marginal at
best. The radiator is in a poor position but had no where else to go !!!

Kevin Phillips  1990 200TQ, 1995 900SET.
BARCO Graphics Integration Team
40 Westover Road
Ludlow MA 01056
kevin.phillips at barco.com

 -----Original Message-----
From: 	rplines at pacifier.com [mailto:rplines at pacifier.com] 
Sent:	Tuesday, November 21, 2000 13:31
To:	quattro at audifans.com
Subject:	4kq running cold

I have some questions related to the cooling system on my '86 4kq.  Since
the weather
has cooled off, (about 0-5 deg. C ambient) it seems to be running colder
than "normal".
 It usually runs between the 3rd and 4th mark just slightly above halfway on
the
dash gauge.  It is now running at the 2nd mark on the dash gauge.
Realizing that the dash gauge is not a precision instrument, I hooked a
thermocouple
into the water outlet in the side of the head (same location as the gauge
sender).
 I hooked up a small indicator light so I know when the radiator fan is
running.

On the way to work this morning (about a 25 minute drive), I saw the
temperature
fluctuate between 92C and 94C.  The fan never came on.  Once I arrived, I
let the
car idle for a few minutes.  The fan began to cycle with a temperature of
99C to
103C.
I guess my question is, do these temperatures seem normal?
I re-checked my thermostat, it is less than a year old, it is stamped
"Wahler, W.
Germany, 83C".  The rad. fan switch says 90C/95C.  Are these the correct
parts for
my car?
Maybe my only problem is an inaccurate dash gauge?
Any suggestion?
TIA

-Peter