Just wondering what kind of temps you are seeing. I just got my temp gauge working again and am trying to somewhat verify it's accuracy.

Anyways, I'm seeing about 1/3rd when the temp is in the 90's and maybe 1/4th when it cools off.

Dan

 

the stock gauge is useless. buy an aftermarket one if you want to know.

put the thermostat back in. it'll cool better, and warm up faster.

 

Thermostats are there for a reason. The coolant must have the proper "dwell time" {for lack of a better term} in the block AND radiator for the heat transfer to be accomplished. Faster flow (with the thermostat removed) does not allow for this to occur. Even stock car racers use a restrictor oriface tto slow down the flow.

****MORE IS NOT BETTER*******

 

ive been running my 86 base without one for about 10 months now, the gauge rarely makes it to 1/4, and when im at 6000-7000rpm for quite some time it will barely make its way to half on a 100 degree day, but normal driving never goes over 1/4 on the guage. i would run one in it, but every time i put one in it will go past half even just idling

 

Use only OEM thermostats. I got a stant one and it sucked ***. It raised temps to almost 1/2 up my gauge, and caused coolant to overflow out of the overflow bottle, draining my system.

 

I have an OEM thermostat waiting to go in. I just didn't want to put it in (in case it got stuck or something) until my gauge was fixed.

Out of curiosity, why are Agent_D and myself seeing lower temps than people with thermostats in if it is not supposed to cool better (without the thermostat)? I am not trying to argue or start a fight; I am asking so I can better understand.

Dan

EDIT: I just did some research and found that the temp gauge gets it's signal from a sensor directly on the block. I understand the concept of high flow equals less heat absorbtion, but I don't understand why the temps don't reflect that. Anyways...

 

Thats the problem with trusting the water temp gauge. Too bad cars don't come with engine block or oil temp gauges.

What thermostat are you using to cause the gauge to go past half? How old is it?

Look up and reread Banzai's reply.
If the water is moving too fast, it will not absorb heat and will not warm up. Thats why cars without thermostats use flow restrictors.
Just because your water temp gauge is cooler, doesn't mean the engine, oil, whatever..... are cooler also.

 

i just had to put a new Tstat on my car cause when i got it back she was running a little warm

 

i ran 2 new 180 degree thermostats in the car, and both of them were either bad or something was messed up, because it would go to about 3/4 on the gauge if i drove it anywhere. im gonna order an OEM thermostat and 2 OEM rad caps and see if that helps

 

my car stays just below halfway up the gauge ALL the time (after it warms up). I've never seen it move beyond or below that once it's warm.

 

you must have a s5 if it sits like that. i am using a stock mazda thermostat

 

the thermostat also allows the water pump to build up the correct pressure so that you dont flash boil coolant and get "hot pockets"

just because your water is cooler doesnt mean that your engine is cooler. you SHOULD ALWAYS RUN A THERMOSTAT OR A RESTRICTOR.... no question about it.

Justin