Temperature gauge indication - running too cool?
Moderators: GRNSHRK, ron, bfons
Temperature gauge indication - running too cool?
My '83 633:
In normal driving the needle on the temperature gauge is typically just to the right of the blue with outside temperature between 70-85F. If the car sits in traffic on a hotter day (95-100 degrees F) it indicates about 50-60% way up the gauge. Is this normal? Or is the engine never really getting up to proper operating temperature when running in the cooler ambient temperatures? I realize that in Southern California, the outside temperature swings are mild and are not nearly what they are in most of the rest of the world, but it just seems that the engine should typically run a little warmer to achieve operating efficiency. If I were in a cold weather state during colder months, I doubt that the needle would make it out of the blue.
I have not measured the temperature yet, but also don't know what it should run at. What thermostat is recommended? Any insight is much appreciated.
In normal driving the needle on the temperature gauge is typically just to the right of the blue with outside temperature between 70-85F. If the car sits in traffic on a hotter day (95-100 degrees F) it indicates about 50-60% way up the gauge. Is this normal? Or is the engine never really getting up to proper operating temperature when running in the cooler ambient temperatures? I realize that in Southern California, the outside temperature swings are mild and are not nearly what they are in most of the rest of the world, but it just seems that the engine should typically run a little warmer to achieve operating efficiency. If I were in a cold weather state during colder months, I doubt that the needle would make it out of the blue.
I have not measured the temperature yet, but also don't know what it should run at. What thermostat is recommended? Any insight is much appreciated.
1983 Bronzit 633CSi 5 speed
2004 Audi TT Quattro 6 speed
Scott
2004 Audi TT Quattro 6 speed
Scott
Re: Temperature gauge indication - running too cool?
Think this might provide some guidance...
viewtopic.php?t=27431
Yes the gauge is definitely reading low or the gauge is accurate and the engine is running too cool. I live in a climate where I drive my 635CSi in below freezing temperatures and with a 195F thermostat the gauge reads slightly below the middle of the gauge when moving and at about 12 o'clock while stationary idling .
viewtopic.php?t=27431
Yes the gauge is definitely reading low or the gauge is accurate and the engine is running too cool. I live in a climate where I drive my 635CSi in below freezing temperatures and with a 195F thermostat the gauge reads slightly below the middle of the gauge when moving and at about 12 o'clock while stationary idling .
Dave
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1985 635CSi US
Cosmos Blue/Pearl Beige
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1985 635CSi US
Cosmos Blue/Pearl Beige
Re: Temperature gauge indication - running too cool?
Thank you Dave. Since thermostats are cheap, I think I will replace mine and see if there is a difference.
1983 Bronzit 633CSi 5 speed
2004 Audi TT Quattro 6 speed
Scott
2004 Audi TT Quattro 6 speed
Scott
Re: Temperature gauge indication - running too cool?
I was thinking thermostat, rad cap, faulty sender or gauge, or even a seized viscous fan?
Phil
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1988 Highline 635 CSi
__________________________
1988 Highline 635 CSi
Re: Temperature gauge indication - running too cool?
Generally it should sit at about 11:30 on the gauge and shouldn't go much past 12 unless it is 100F and you are having to sit in some traffic...
Check your fan clutch and thermostat first.
Check your fan clutch and thermostat first.
http://www.Drive4Corners.com
'79 635CSi Revival
'80 635CSi
'83 633CSi Callaway Turbo continued as 1988 535is Turbo
SOLD: '81 635CSi/A
'79 635CSi Revival
'80 635CSi
'83 633CSi Callaway Turbo continued as 1988 535is Turbo
SOLD: '81 635CSi/A
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- Location: Hiding in the garage, South Bucks, England
Re: Temperature gauge indication - running too cool?
An IR thermometer might be useful here. With an engine at running temp the stat housing should be 85-90 C I would think.
Anyone else checked coolant system running temps?
Anyone else checked coolant system running temps?
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- Location: Gilroy (SF Bay Area) CA
Re: Temperature gauge indication - running too cool?
I snagged this pic a while back, from an E28, but should be the same for series II 6ers
Agreed on using an IR thermometer, got one recently to measure oil temp for deep frying turkeys, very handy tool
Cheap at Harbor Freight
Agreed on using an IR thermometer, got one recently to measure oil temp for deep frying turkeys, very handy tool
Cheap at Harbor Freight
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- temp_gauge_readings_E28.jpg (29.92 KiB) Viewed 5120 times
Bobbo
1980 633 CSi Cypress Green/Pearl Beige
2017 X5 M Sport Xdrive 35i Carbon Black/Ivory White
2005 330 Ci ZHP Cabrio Imola Red/Bone/Black
Re: Temperature gauge indication - running too cool?
150 F = 65 C
180 F = 82 C
195 F = 90 C
210 F = 99 C
The gauge works as indicated provided the sender is good and the gauge is good. Both can (and do) go wrong.
cheers
180 F = 82 C
195 F = 90 C
210 F = 99 C
The gauge works as indicated provided the sender is good and the gauge is good. Both can (and do) go wrong.
cheers
~~~~~~~~~~~~Brucey~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Re: Temperature gauge indication - running too cool?
Thank you for the suggestions gentlemen - I will work through the list and see what I can figure out.
1983 Bronzit 633CSi 5 speed
2004 Audi TT Quattro 6 speed
Scott
2004 Audi TT Quattro 6 speed
Scott