Stock temp gauge - how bad is it?
#1
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Stock temp gauge - how bad is it?
Yo,yo,yo
From what I can gather from this forum, it is pretty much the consensus that the stock water temp gauge is crap. I am curious as to how bad is it?
I've heard quotes like "you may have everheated the engine and not even known it" - Can this be true?
I've just bought my FD and the lil needle always sits a little below the halfway mark. I am an avid instrument reader (love these things) and I know that it has never been higher than this level.
Am I just paranoid or are some posters just exaggerating?
M
BTW - an aftermarket WT gauge is on its way
From what I can gather from this forum, it is pretty much the consensus that the stock water temp gauge is crap. I am curious as to how bad is it?
I've heard quotes like "you may have everheated the engine and not even known it" - Can this be true?
I've just bought my FD and the lil needle always sits a little below the halfway mark. I am an avid instrument reader (love these things) and I know that it has never been higher than this level.
Am I just paranoid or are some posters just exaggerating?
M
BTW - an aftermarket WT gauge is on its way
#2
needle a little below half-way horizontal = normal operating temp
horizontal needle = ok but keep an eye on it in hot weather traffic
3/4 up = look for underhood steam around the hood/headlight seams and get the credit card handy. And fer chrissake pull over...
It's an idiot light basically. Sometimes running the A/C in trafffic will push it above horizontal also.
horizontal needle = ok but keep an eye on it in hot weather traffic
3/4 up = look for underhood steam around the hood/headlight seams and get the credit card handy. And fer chrissake pull over...
It's an idiot light basically. Sometimes running the A/C in trafffic will push it above horizontal also.
Last edited by Toadman; 01-18-02 at 07:16 PM.
#3
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Go to the following link to see a graphical presentation of the points that Toadman made about the stock gauge:
http://www.geocities.com/sdrx7_club/tempgauge.html
Go to the following link to get a "how to" on linearizing the stock temp gauge:
http://us.share.geocities.com/sdrx7_...structions.pdf
I intend to go with linearizing my stock gauge and not adding another temperature gauge.
http://www.geocities.com/sdrx7_club/tempgauge.html
Go to the following link to get a "how to" on linearizing the stock temp gauge:
http://us.share.geocities.com/sdrx7_...structions.pdf
I intend to go with linearizing my stock gauge and not adding another temperature gauge.
#4
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When people say the three readings are "Cold, Normal and OOPS, TOO LATE!" they aren't kidding. Watching my aftermarket water temp gauge; the stock gauge will read normal (just below halfway) before the 180degree thermostat even opens and it will still read "normal" all the way up to 220F. THEN it will start moving upwards. Kinda scary. Get a real gauge whenever possible.
#5
The Anti-Prius
iTrader: (9)
I did the mod to linearizing my stock temp gauge and it kicks ***!
I also didn't want to just add another temperature gauge.
Now my stock gauge is very responsive. I can tell when my thermostat cycles & when the fans turn on by watching the needle deflection.
You adjust/calibrate the needle to point to the "H" at either 230' or 250'.
The only problem I had was after I put everything back together.
My dash lights wouldn't work.
It took me another hour to figure out I had bumped the dimmer ****!!!!
The instruction on the site are very good.
I ended up putting the calibration box under the driver's side kick pnl.
The only thing I would have done, in hindsight, is paint out the kph band on my Speedo.
This is America Damn it, we drive in MPH!!! I think it would look less cluttered.
I also didn't want to just add another temperature gauge.
Now my stock gauge is very responsive. I can tell when my thermostat cycles & when the fans turn on by watching the needle deflection.
You adjust/calibrate the needle to point to the "H" at either 230' or 250'.
The only problem I had was after I put everything back together.
My dash lights wouldn't work.
It took me another hour to figure out I had bumped the dimmer ****!!!!
The instruction on the site are very good.
I ended up putting the calibration box under the driver's side kick pnl.
The only thing I would have done, in hindsight, is paint out the kph band on my Speedo.
This is America Damn it, we drive in MPH!!! I think it would look less cluttered.
#6
www.silverbulletrx7.com
Doing something about this gauge is probably more important than getting a boost gauge in my opinion. More engines are lost to people ignoring this advice than anything else other than detonation. The difference is that overheating is easier to avoid.
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#9
#15
Urban Combat Vet
iTrader: (16)
Not a fan of of unneeded gauges but less for linearization. Alot of trouble and (as mention above) some risk. Yet resolution is iffy at best.
A decent attractive aftermarket gauge is easy, inexpensive and accurate. I would also think about whether I ever intend to get a PFC.
A decent attractive aftermarket gauge is easy, inexpensive and accurate. I would also think about whether I ever intend to get a PFC.
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