proper engine temp. (was Heater Core Problems on 1989 90)

[Dave Hord]

Hmmm...indicated temp, or actual temp :-)

Never the same IMHE!

For oil, I understand that proper operating temperature is at, or slightly over
100 degrees celcius.  In my opinion, THIS is the temperature that matters
first.  It needs to be above the boiling point of water so that any moisture in
the oil gets boiled off. This also helps boil off impurities.  Anything
reaching 130 degrees celcius is too high, although maybe seen under hard
running conditions such as track days.  If the oil is near 130 degrees celcius,
I won't shut the car off without letting it idle and cool a little.

For the H20 temperature...My understanding is that it should be right around
the 90 degree celcius mark.  Again, under hard operating temps it may
climb...but 90 degrees is what you're aiming for.


I don't remember where I learned the first...it's been a number of years now.
But I surmized the second based on the fact that EVERY car I've ever owned has
had the fan turn on when the coolant measures about 95 degrees celcius.  So, I
figure that 90 degrees is about perfect.

Now about those gauges...Nothing reads the same. A new sensor might read
differnt then it's buddy on the shelf.  I use two thermometers whenever I buy a
new car.  I run the car until I believe it's at proper operating
temperature...usually I do this after a 2 hour drive home, when I KNOW it's a
proper temp.  One thermometer gets dropped in the coolant while the car is
tossed up on axle stands.  The second thermometer gets put under the HOT oil
that's draining out of the car.  I then compare my readings to what the gauges
were showing.  If the oil and H20 temp are correct on the thermometer, I just
ignore what the numbers on the gauge say and note the 'position' of the needle.

FWIW...my VW rabbit was spot on. My audi with it's original Aux gauges was off
on the oil temp.  With the 4kq gauge, it's spot on.  Same sender though ;-)

-Dave
---------------------------------------------------
89 90q  300km+ Rally Conversion...
Roll cage shots available at:
http://home.the-wire.com/~spokes/rollcage/page1.htm


Quoting Brady Moffatt <bradym at sympatico.ca>:

> Hi All,
>
> What coolant temps are you getting, and what do you feel is proper? My 4kq
> seems to run at an indicated 105 in summer, and anywhere from 85-105 in
> winter, depending on conditions. I now have a high-tech piece of cardboard
> blocking part of the rad, and I get better heat. I already had an 87-92
> t-stat.
>
> Cheers,
> Brady Moffatt
> Montreal, Quebec, Canada
> 86 4kq with 304,000km
> 86 4kq parts car
> 72 Datsun 240Z with 180,000 miles
> 92 VW Golf with 194,000km FOR SALE
> in early stages of quattrosis accumulatus
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dave Hord" <spokes at the-wire.com>
> <snip>
> >
> > As a side note, it's also letting the engine get up to what I feel is
> proper
> > oil and H20 temperatures.
> >
> > -Dave
>
>
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