RE: Normal operating temp???

[Jason Aamodt <Jason-aamodt@utulsa.edu>]

Like some of the other listers, my car's (87 5000q) temp sits right on 1/2
when it has run for 15-20 min.  And, it stays there.  I have noticed,
however, that it takes some time to get up to temperature and that as the
thermostat opens, the temperature of the engine actually decreases right
around the 1/4 point (down to even 1/8) for a short period of time and then
rebounds up to 1/2 way.  I have also noticed that the car is very sensitive
to ambient temps, and that on cool days I can drive without the AC on an
open highway at 70 for 1 hour without the temp gauge reading 1/2.  On
slowing or entering traffic the temp increases.  Dan (the original lister)
may usually drive his car for a short period of time (to work), and the
temperature may never have had a chance to increase to usual level.  I have
had this happen on cool days.  Now that we (in the southwest particularly)
are experiencing oven-like temps, the car's sensitivity to ambient temps
might be registering more clearly on the dashboard.

I guess there's a plausible explanation for everything - maybe not right . .
. plausible?  What does the list think?

BTW, replacing the theromstat and flushing the radiatior was a quite easy
job for me, and I'm no pro!

Jason Aamodt
The University of Tulsa
1987 5000q in good shape  (No idea on the miles - the tach and passenger
windows are the only things left to fix (I hope)!)

>Gary Lewis wrote:
>
>>I agree with Matt.  When I first bought my 86 5Kcst, it never ran over 1/4.
>>I noticed a leak in the afterrun pump and radiator.  I flushed it, replaced
>>a bunch of hoses, pump, radiator, thermo switch and thermostat (cooler than
>>stock, like 87c (?)).  It now always runs just below the half mark.  I was
>>concerned, so I took it to my mechanic.  He said the MC runs normally around
>>the half mark all the time.  He thought my old thermostat was probably
>>stuck.  Also it was winter (in Los Angeles, Hi-70, Low-50).  It was 110f a
>>few days ago, and with the A/C running in very stop and go traffic, it crept
>>up to a needles width over half.  
>>
>>It sounds to me like your temp is normal.
>

Dan Hussey first wrote:
Hey gang,

I just bought a '90 200TQ about a week ago, and the temp gauge (once the
car is warmed up and running) stays pegged about halfway (right in the
middle).  BTW, this is not in heavy traffic....just normal driving. 

Does this seem a bit high to anyone?  I just remembered my 5KTQ's normal
operating temp was just past that 1/4 mark (the big think line).  I
thought that was the normal operating temp?

Any 200 owners care to comment?  Any suggestions?  I think I am going to
flush out the coolant real good and put in some fresh stuff.  Maybee
that will help????

Any advice appreciated.

Later,
Dan