Hey all, on my 92 RS 305 the temp guage read 180 as the normal temp. But when I 86'd that and put the new electric Auto Meter water temp guage in (Put the sensor in the same spot the old one was in) the temp reads about 210-230 as normal temp. Which one do I believe?

Also, is 230 a little high? I mean, if its running at 230 when the old guage said 180, does that mean its been overheating (past 230) on the freeway, and I never knew it? Or would the computer not let it run if it got that hot?

Thanks!

Chris

PS the car has two electric fans, one runs fulltime, not sure about the other. Not sure the thermostat degree, but I am putting a 160 in as soon as the motor cools.

 

The stock gauges suck, especially the water temp gauge. Mine was off for a while until I put a new one in... it lasted for about two weeks and started reading wrong. Normal temperature for me is at the line right before 260... I attached my scanning tool (laptop) and the coolant temperature was at like 210. Your Auto Meter gauge is probably the correct one.

Might want to check out the Cooling Fans article in the tech section in regard to your engine temperature questions. https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/cool8dual.pdf

 

replacing the sensor means you either did it quick and lost a little fluid, or you drained the fluid and had to completly re-fill it. Either way there could be an air pocket in there. Just something to think about.

 

my gage reads 160 when on the highway. i have a 180 stat and a 190 fan switch. wonder if mine's reading low or if just the fast moving air cools it down that much

 

i wouldnt recommend getting a 160 degree stat. Thats simply too cold for the computer, it could cause some errors.

With a computer controlled setup i wouldnt use anything less than 180.

 

Ive' had about 8 third gens now, and never had a reliable water temp gauge. One time I put in three different sensors, (two new) and got three different readings off by over 50 degrees. Finally, I temporarily screwed in a mechanical gauge for reference, and then learned what was normal on the factory gauge. As long as gauge stayed "normal", I never worried. Not great, but it worked. Normal was anywhere from 180 to 220 on the factory gauge. Actual temp water temp was about 190 (makes sense since I think the factory thermostat is 195. Don't use the 160 themostat with the factory chip.

 

How much was the auto meter water temp guage?