i've been testing my car since i last installed my autometer temp gauge and comparing it with the stock one. right now, i have a black magic and water wetter in there. at idle, my temp on autometer stays at 180 and on stock its at 1/2. but when i drive it hard and do a few redlines, the needle on aftermarket goes between 195 and 220 and on the stock it's pass the line close to H. am i right that my stock gauge is reading wrong?

also, is 220 too hot for the egine? what should 220 reading be on the stock gauge?

 

thats too hot for a street car with a few redlines. flush your coolant and get a new themostat. should be 180-190. where are you reading from? (where is the sender?)

 

Did you follow the instructions that came with the Autometer gauge? They are way off on readings if you use too thick or too thin of wire. I forget what the specs are, but they are stated in the instructions. I think between 18-22GA wire has to be used?

 

If all else fails, you might have to get a new radiator like I did. And IF you do get a new radiator, get a performance aluminum one. The stock ones have wierd plastic parts that snap off if you're not careful while removing it. Suck ***...

Peace,
AJ ^_^

 

I think the gauge is reading correct at 220 since he says his stock gauge is getting near the H. try flushing the coolant and get a new MAZDA (important) thermostat and new rad cap. and if that doesn't help you might need a new rad.

 

ok guys, here is what i did. i installed my sending unit in the water pump housing, which means flushing the coolant as well and used 18 GA wire for the gauages. my thermostat is new from Mazda. Also, my radiator was just installed about 8 months ago, though its not aluminum. and the radiator cap i have is... i think it's stanley (the yellow one) with a label that says 13psi. is there anything else that i'm missing?

 

hey you guys, check this article out (URL=http://www.mazspeed.com/coolingsystem.htm]http://www.mazspeed.com/coolingsystem.htm[/URL]), it states that 220F is within the normal operating temperature. and i also learned that oil cooler plays an important role on cooling the engine. it had mentioned something about oil thermostat. never heard of this one before but it seems interesting. i think i don't have to worry about my temp then. but just to make sure i'm on the safe side, i'll check my oil thermostat anyway. any idea, where i can find this?

 

yeah and it says "I would not recommend any thing hotter than 210 degrees F sustained operating temp" 220 is too hot! you have a problem look into it. I highy doubt it's your oil thermostat which is in the oil cooler.

 

Actually the Mazda rotary set up in 2nd Gen cars rejects about 30% of the heat load through the oil and oil cooler, so it can be significant if there is a problem with the oil cooler thermostat.You can get a fair idea of the oil thermostat function just by taking your car out for a drive,then feeling the oil cooler when you bring it back--if the oil radiator is hot your thermostat is working.It is located at the bottom of the oil radiator on the driver's side.
I assume you have all the plastic pieces in place around the water radiator and the plastic undertray.If not you will have cooling problems.

 

that's right Scott 220 is too hot.

actually, i removed all of them. this is gonna be my project for this week. do you guys still remember one of the member of this forum that sells CF radiator panel?

 

put them all back on!, your temps will lower.

 

I have an Autometer electrical water temp gauge.It is installed in the water pump housing under the thermostat.The highest reading I have seen on my gauge is 210 degrees.This was after some pretty hard driving.It usually stays between 180 and 195 degrees.