Temp Gauge - running COOL!

[DLTARNU]

Before Doug modified my car, it ran between 182º - 190º at highway speeds, and would go a bit over 200º in traffic.

Below is a photo of my temp gauge while driving south on the Florida Turnpike. The car had been running for about 90 minutes at this point, outside temp was about 75º, and average speed was about 80. The picture speaks for itself:

You must be registered for see images

 

[Cop Magnet]

Normally I'd say bad themostat (stuck open), but with Vipers running so hot, I assume they are open all the time anyway and STILL hot. So I'd think the guage is bad. Check the actual water temp.

 

[DLTARNU]

It's accurate. If I drive the piss out of it, lots of back-to-back 1/4 mile runs, etc. the temp goes up to about 185 - 190, but once I get back on the highway, it cools right off.

Also, Doug told me to expect these temps, so if something was wrong, I'm sure he would have spotted it.

Interior temp is FAR cooler, sidesill temp is significantly cooler - the whole car is just cooler

 

[Cop Magnet]

Okay. Thought you were asking if something was wrong. I'm not sure why you are happy your car is running so cool, but sounds like you are okay with it.

 

[DLTARNU]

No, I'm thrilled it's running cooler. Driving that car in Miami weather can be uncomfortably warm.

 

[Cudaman]

I never run my car hard unless it is fully up to operating tempatures.....130 degrees it NOT normal. You need to get sender or gauge checked.

Cudaman

 

[CHAD]

It's not running THAT cool and if it is, it is BAD, not GOOD.

 

[IEATVETS]

If it is running that cool, you need to get it to run hotter. That temp is to cold. I had the same problem when I had a new radiator put in but I was not running that cool. I ended up putting a piece of cardboard in front of my radiator to bring the temp up. You do need to bring the temp up though.

 

[Cop Magnet]

If it is running that cool, you need to get it to run hotter. That temp is to cold. I had the same problem when I had a new radiator put in but I was not running that cool. I ended up putting a piece of cardboard in front of my radiator to bring the temp up. You do need to bring the temp up though.

There you go...

 

[Steve 00RT/10]

Before Doug modified my car, it ran between 182º - 190º at highway speeds, and would go a bit over 200º in traffic.

That's normal and where you should be probably now. Your new temp reading is not normal or desirable.

Steve

 

[Both Stacks Blowin']

Hi,

What mods did Doug carry out to make your car run that cool? It sound too good to be true!!!!!

 

[DLTARNU]

And here I was all happy and stuff...

The only things I know of that might have made a difference would be:

- Flushed the cooling system
- Zerex Racing Coolant
- PCM reflash so the fan comes on sooner

Not being a mechanic, and only going by what I've read, I've *heard* that ported heads can cool down the engine. I now have level 4 ported heads, so maybe that is making the difference?

The weather has also been very cool down here, but not what you would call cold.

Color me confused

 

[Bandit3]

Easy to verify actual temp---one way-- hook scanner to obd link-- it picks up reading from sensor for ecu--other way--- use an infrared digital thermometer and take readings at thermostat housing or upper radiator hose. I agree-- it's too cold-- this allows the ecu to provide more fuel thinking it's cold outside. All late model cars need to hot-- 190 or more to function properly. John

 

[97 B/W GTS]

I've never seen below 190. I'm always at 190 - 225 degrees. Stock motor.

 

[Bill B]

The thermostat should maintain the temp when it is cold out.
When it's Florida hot out the thermostat is open all of the time anyway.

 

[AG98RT10]

Don't know if they share the same part or not, but my Ram V10 (1995) had two MOPAR thermostats stick open - one at around 25K and one at around 50K. They read just about like yours when they're stuck open, btw.
That's my bet.

 

[PDCjonny]

Even when it's 10 degrees out my temp is rarely below 190.

 

[Cop Magnet]

Even when it's 10 degrees out my temp is rarely below 190.

Agreed. My Roe fan is on and the needle at the right hash-mark year-round.

 

[ArlyDude]

I thought a cool motor was good? Why is this considered bad?

 

[Silver Snake]

That's what my gauge looks like.......within the first sixty seconds of starting the car.

Mark

 

[Ulysses]

I thought a cool motor was good? Why is this considered bad?

If you're talking about BLING, yeah, but engine temp, no. A well regulated engine temp with the capacity to cool it if it gets too hot is good. A lot of the emissions stuff needs the designed operating temp to operate correctly on a stock engine. The engine needs to reach operating temp in order to enter into closed loop mode. Plus the engine uses the higher engine temp to help thin the motor oil. However, this discussion is moot if the engine was designed to run at that temp.

 

[V10TT]

If you have a 170 deg. thermostat, the temp should be higher regardless of conditions.
Now, can someone tell me what are the differnet temp. in degrees that go wtih teh different marks on the gage?
is it 100, 130, 160, 180,190,200, 225 and the last mark 250?
Thanks!

 

[MaxedGTS]

Doug made my car run cool on the highway also. sure if you drive 90 minutes STRAIGHT it will cool way down but it DOES NOT mean something is wrong.On a long drive my temp goes down but around town it runs PERFECT.
Max

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

My GTS has a cool thermostat in it. Fine for high-revving track days I guess, but I don't like cruising around town with the temp guage at 160. It probably doesn't hurt much, but it isn't optimal.