Is this normal?
 

What is the normal operating temp on a 3rd gen?

Variables:
Let's say normal driving (not-so-spirited driving, doing speed limit, and no sprinting off the stop light, :p ), Outside temp is around 90 degrees(Humid/No rain), and the car is in great condition as far as cooling is concerned (Water pump/Radiator/Intercooler/Oil cooler works great with no leaks) and as for mods.....SS downpipe and Blitz SS catback.

Why am I asking? Well the temp guage needle in my 3rd gen doesn't go past through the midpoint of the guage. At its worst, the needle stops dead center of the guage (horizontal).

I also have a water temp guage installed. Before I had my downpipe installed, it would read between 210 to 230 degrees if I drove it normal or drove it hard. It would never peg out to 250 degrees(limit on the guage). Now that I have my downpipe, the guage would read between 180 degrees to 210 degrees under normal driving conditions. If I drive it hard I am back to 230 degress...and it still does not peg out at 250 degrees.

I want to find out if this is normal. I haven't been losing coolant or have been overheating. However, when I opened the hood today after driving, I heard slurping sounds around the radiator. I guess around the AST. Is this supposed to do this? I noticed this sound after I finished racing a Honda CBR crotch rocket. (I'm not telling who won. Think about it....weight ratio and Coefficient of drag. OK OK...I lost dang it! but it wasn't by much) I have always been V8 man. Now I have converted to a rotary that I do not know anything about.

Please help. Thanks,
Jason
93 Silver Touring

That is a bit hot.. I think around 200 is safe. 230 i think is too hot. The stock gauge suck so just ignore it.. If you are loosing coolant i would test the coolant for carbon monoxide.. If it has it then you should start saving up for a new engine...


You might want to think about upgrading you radiator..


-Zach

Sorry...
 

Sorry,
My degrees are in Farenheit.
hehehehe....Oh man 230 degree Celsius (sp), car on fire!!!!!:D

No, I haven't been losing coolant.
Thanks,
Jason

I read this somewhere....
 

....with a 0.9 bar radiator cap and a 50% antifreeze mixture, the coolant boils at approx. 261 F (127 C). The hot mark on the standard stock unmodified guage (highest white mark) indicates 266 F (130 C).

I guess you are right If I am at 230 F, I am not far off from 266 F. Time for a new radiator.


Thanks,
Jason

I have been told 210F is about the highest you really want to run a rotary... This is a very safe # of course but my friends with a 60-1 turbo runs around 180-210F coolant temps depending how hard he runs the car.. So i think that range is a easy/good/safe goal to hit.. A downpipe should decrease your temps like you saw...


-Zach