Re: Cool running 5kCST

[Dave Head <dhead@sundial.sundial.net>]

At 03:46 PM 11/26/96 -0600, you wrote:
>I have a curious problem on my '88 5kCST.  Seems that the coolant
>temperature never gets very hot.  If I am cruising at a fast speed on the
>expressway, the coolant needle hovers at the 1/4 mark or even below.  If I
>come to a long stop light or slow down for a while, the needle starts
>creeping up to the halfway mark, which I believe is the normal operating
>temp.  Once I start moving fast again, the temp starts cooling off again.
>
>Is this the sign of a failing thermostat?  Since the car seems to run so
>cool now, my cooling fan (with very noisy bearings) doesn't come on nerly as
>much.  This is a blessing, since when it used to run a long time it would
>drain my battery by the end of the day.
>
>Am I causing damage to my engine by driving it in this condition?  Any help
>would be appreciated...
>

With the proper thermostat and fan controls, yer normal temp should be well
past halfway - up in the 2 small dot range.

Problem is yer pistons are elliptical, and unless temp is higher, your oil
consumption will go up. Also, you may not get hot enough to boil off water
vapor in the oil, causing acid to buildup faster - not good!

********************************AUDI FAN***********************************
                                       EMCM(SW) Dave Head  
87 5KCSTQ 180K miles and counting... 1.8 bar boost - Whee!
                                              Maitland, Florida
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