I was wondering what everyones temp gauge reads when they are driving around after their car warms up. I've been watching my stock temp gauge on my 85 GSL since I picked it up and no matter how hard I drive it and for how long it won't go pass the second line on the temp gauge. I thought that rotaries were known for running pretty hot(especially the FD's). I've only had the choke go back on its own once since I've had the car and thats after letting it sit outside for about half and hour with it pulled out in the middle of the day. Its not really a complaint because I love the fact that the car is running so cool but I was wondering if it was normal for it to run this cool. I even checked to make the car had a thermostat(put a new one in) just to make sure that it wasn't being overcooled. Is it normal for my car to be running so cool.

 

You don't want it running too cool either. Especially if the choke isn't popping in by itself after about 5-10 minutes. Check and clean around the sensor. It tends to get dirty there due to its position directly underneath the oil cooler. I would say change your t-stat, but you did that already.

My temp gauge usually reads to about just under halfway on the gauge in the summer and about 1/4 to 1/3 in dead winter. I also have an 85 GSL.

I was having the exact same problem as you, to the point where the choke wasn't automatically popping in, but replacing the thermostat solved the problem. Your car is currently not reaching proper operating temperature.

 

I think mine runs a little too cool as well...But Im not to sure. Anyone wanna give me some input? It is around winter time here, but I was thinking that maybe I have my fan set to kick on too soon or something. Right now it kicks on a little after the thermostat opens (in theroy anyway), and stays on after the car is shut off until the water in the radiator is cooled again.

~T.J.

 

in the 25 degree weather out here right now, my gauge goes just slightly higher than TJ's so its probably normal.

 

On my Se it also only reaches about 1/4, Rare to go anywhere close to 1/2

 

mine goes above half in the summer cause my coolant is sludge, one time it went 90% up when i was stuck in traffic in 100 degree heat, i was freaking out. oh yea, thats was with a/c off too.

 

In my old 1984, I had a brand new short block, so the engine new, everything else, like waterpump and stuff, old. (BTW, I sold that car WITHOUT that engine, it's in my Mariah 1982 now) The car wouldn't reach any decent temp. After, like a 65km drive to work, it was still not really warmed up, with the temp gauge needle around 40°C... Turned out there was NO (!) thermostat in the old waterpumphousing! Obviously, that wasn't too healthy... But quick fix. So if the car really is running too cool, check the thermostat first. They can become bad, after all, these cars are getting pretty old by now.

 

I changed the thermostat when I first got the car. I kinda feel better that I'm not the only one with a car that runs as cool as it does.