anyone here know the normal operating temp in numbers for a s4 na new motor. all i got through the search was 1/4 1/2 and a new motor placement but i put in an aftermarket gauge hooked up to the stock location. i posted in the 2nd gen section but they don't like to help out noobies to much

 

I've got an aftermarket Dakota Digital temp gauge hooked up with the sender in the theromstat neck, stock S4 motor, Koyo radiator. 50/50 DI Water and Antifreeze + Water Wetter.

I normally see operating temps between 175' (1/8 on stock gauge) and 200' (1/4). I've got the warning point set for 211', and the highest it's gotten is 225-ish. (Don't remember exactly.)

I don't know if it would be any different for a new motor. (It really shouldn't since it's the cooling system's job to regulate the water temp.)

High stress stuff like hot days, hill climbing, or stop and go driving generate a lot of heat and lessen the radiator's cooling effect. Also for additional cooling, you can turn your Heater up all the way.

 

normal operating temp should be around 180 to 185 i really get nervous when its starts climbing after that but thats just me ...try bumping your timming a bit down maybe a few degrees and see how it works out your temp should drop down about ten to fifteen degrees. imo 200+ is to hot

 

no i figured it out i installed an aftermarket guage and it read 280 degrees but i took a temp gun and my engine read at 180 but i did a test with both sending units in a cup of microwaved water and the sending unit for the stock gauge read 100 degrees hotter then the sending unit for the aftermarket so i got it all figured out thanks for the info guys

 

Use mechanical water temp gauge. Either tap it in the t-stat housing OR buy the kit that goes in between the upper radiator hose.

Equus is good and not that expensive. Stay away from autogage and sunpro gauges. You will never get an accurate reading from them.

 

180= cool and ideal but only will stay around that number in the winter with a/c off
190=average in summer
~195= average with a/c on
200= average on most modified turbo cars running front mounts driving moderately hard
210 or so= modded turbo running on the track abusing the hell out of it


irons tend to crack at about 245F and drop coolant seals.

 

does anyone know the reason why aftermarket gauges don't work with the sending unit thats in the car i bought an autometer gauge i also had a faze gauge but both if hooked up to the oem sending unit read way off the scale but if hooked up to the sending unit that comes with them reads the right temp. like i said earlier i did a test with a microwaved cup of water with each sending unit on the same gauge. any ideas