Quick question: What is the normal operating temperature when driving a 328? Mine will go to a normal 90 C when driving slow BUT dives to about 75 C when speeding up.... Any thoughts? (Thermostat already replaced,temp sensor in front is ok,system airfree) Richard
Which temperature? Coolant (next to Speedo) or Oil? For coolant, straight down the middle of the gauge is the "normal" temperature (190 or 195 degrees F), it should not exceed this during normal driving, even on very hot days. However, on cold days, and when cruising fast (so lots of fresh air ramming into the car to cool the radiator), a value below this is also normal. Oil temp will fluctuate similarly, should stay in the bottom 2/3 of the gauge. It will read higher with prolonged spirited driving, and not get past 1/3 with easy driving on a cold day.
Thanks Mike! Both water and oil.... They changed my gauges to Celsius just before delivery 19 years ago (American model meant for Japan delivered in Austria...someone got sacked after that) and they both stay at the first 1/3 of the scale (75 c /170 F) when driving fast at an outside temperature around 10 c /50 F. Driving slow they go up to the halfway position. Thanks,you restored my convidence! Just to be sure I'll double check the system once again. Safe driving! Richard
The coolant should be a constant temperature once warmed up. If yours is fluctuationg, you likely have a sticky thermostat. It stays open (better than closed!) and your car runs too cool. BTDT Ken
This old chestnut (!) Mine runs at the second mark on the gauge (so about 175) using one of Ricambi's T'stats & it never waivers summer or winter while the car is moving. In traffic it will climb. If you have a functioning Stat the temperature should not move pretty much regardless of what you are doing, summer or Winter. If its falling on the freeway your Stat is old & weak - i.e. opening further than it should & then not closing up. You'd expect it to climb a bit in traffic but for that to be stopped/capped when the fans cut in & for it then to fall back a bit - which is what mine does. If its climbing beyond your "norm" through hard driving your cooling system/radiator is marginal (or the Stat is sticking) As far as I know the fans kick in at about 195 (at least mine do). So if your gauge is running at 195 are the fans on permanently? If not, what temp do they come in at? My car runs at 175 & climbs to the middle mark in traffic at which point the fans cut in. Given that thefans are supposed to come in at around 195 it looks like my gauge is reasonably accurate. Oil temp is no disimilar but will climb over 200 when pushed - which is fine.
1) Idling:temperatures (COOLANT AND OIL) rising to normal values and fans kick in at about 195 (90 C ; mid position on gauges), the fans go off as soon as the temperature decreases somewhat. 2) Driving (140 kmh) with an outside temperature of 50 (10 C): Temperatures dive to about 170 (75 C) when speeding up.... NB: Thermostat already replaced,temp sensor in front is ok,system airfree Attached pictures off coolant and oil temperatures after fast driving in these conditions. Thanks for all the replies so far....I am off for several days of hard labour By the way, yes, in this picture my "slow down" light was still indicating eratically which I already fixed as discussed in an other thread. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Looks identical to mine. Whats a "slow down light" ?? (No cats here!). Also interesting that your gauges are in Deg C (mine are deg F) & your clock & fuel gauge are reversed from where mine are (mine is a RHD UK car)
