engelme
True Classic
I love technology, particularly in its simplest application. I just bought one of those laser thermometers from harbor freight to satisfy me that the feedback I get from my dash temperature gauge is accurate (I don't think it is most of the time). Perhaps better yet, this clever little gizmo makes it largely unnecessary. I spent a few minutes collecting data in a "point and shoot" fashion and learned that the aluminum radiators do a great job, but that my dash gauge seems to be reading low based upon readings at the thermostat and the hoses leading in and out. After a vigorous run in 95 degree heat, my dash guage read 120 to 130. Here are the readings from my data collection.
Expansion tank (top): 170.5 F
Expansion tank (bottom): 155 F
Valve cover (driver side): 190.5 F
Valve cover (passenger side): 174 F
Thermostat housing: 175 F
Tstat hose (top): 160 F
Tstat hose (bottom): 170 F
Radiator (passenger side): 165 F
Radiator (drive side): 125 F
Admittedly, because some of these surfaces are reflective, the data might not be absolutely accurate, but hopefully relatively so.
Of note, occasionally (but not really predictably) my guage on the dash will rise to the 160 F range, but I haven't seen it at 190 F for a long time now (since my drive back from Ohio). My interpretation is that my Tstat is likely stuck open and that my engine operating temp is a little on the low side (maybe in the 170-175 range). I lose a little heat as coolant runs to the radiator, then really efficient cooling as it passes through to the other side. Indeed, I've only heard my radiator fans come on one time after the car was sitting at idle in the hot sun. I also suspect that my dash guage is only showing the correct temperature occasionally, either because of the sensor in the Tstat, the gauge self, or some connection in between.
Thoughts from others?
As long as I've got my laser thermometer, I can feel a lot more confident about performance of my cooling system, and that's a great thing here in the intermountain desert.
Cheers.
Mike
Expansion tank (top): 170.5 F
Expansion tank (bottom): 155 F
Valve cover (driver side): 190.5 F
Valve cover (passenger side): 174 F
Thermostat housing: 175 F
Tstat hose (top): 160 F
Tstat hose (bottom): 170 F
Radiator (passenger side): 165 F
Radiator (drive side): 125 F
Admittedly, because some of these surfaces are reflective, the data might not be absolutely accurate, but hopefully relatively so.
Of note, occasionally (but not really predictably) my guage on the dash will rise to the 160 F range, but I haven't seen it at 190 F for a long time now (since my drive back from Ohio). My interpretation is that my Tstat is likely stuck open and that my engine operating temp is a little on the low side (maybe in the 170-175 range). I lose a little heat as coolant runs to the radiator, then really efficient cooling as it passes through to the other side. Indeed, I've only heard my radiator fans come on one time after the car was sitting at idle in the hot sun. I also suspect that my dash guage is only showing the correct temperature occasionally, either because of the sensor in the Tstat, the gauge self, or some connection in between.
Thoughts from others?
As long as I've got my laser thermometer, I can feel a lot more confident about performance of my cooling system, and that's a great thing here in the intermountain desert.
Cheers.
Mike