RustX7

Just like the title says. I don't like the idea of building up carbon inside my rebuild.. is 1/4 temp normal on an S4 N/A? While driving it's even gone down to like 1/8th. I'm wondering if my fan clutch might be constantly engaged.

Another thought just hit me... I haven't adjusted the timing yet because I haven't gotten the idle down yet. Would slightly misadjusted timing affect my temps a lot?

thanks all

HAILERS

On a 86/87 the first quarter/ first eighth is normal. Later cars are in the mid range.

wozzoom

First thing: The S4 temp gauge normally runs "around" 1/4 way up on the scale. I say "around" because it is not very accurate. Under hard running conditions you can see 1/2 and under very light coasting it is very common to see 1/8.

Yes, having the timing off will effect temps. I belive advanced timing will cause the engine to run warmer. Not sure if you'd notice a difference on the gauge though just by adjusting the timing.

OverDriven

Mine barely ever goes over 1/8

-Joe

RustX7

Hailers - the 88 is different from the 86/87 in terms of temps? Or was that a typo? The car I'm talking about is an 88 but the whole engine and everything was assembled from misc S4 parts.

Which sensor provides the signal for the temp guage?

Syonyk

Mid-adjusted timing can cause the engine to run hot (learned this one from experience). Not critically hot, but hotter than normal.

My 88 SE (S4 NA) runs about 1/4 under normal highway cruising with the A/C off, 1/2 with the A/C on or under hard driving. Beyond 1/2 and I have the heater control on full hot and max air. Is it something to worry about? I'm not sure. I don't have a digital gauge to check the temperature, so I run it safe.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. You might want to confirm that your thermostat is working properly and not stuck open.

-=Russ=-