stock water temp gauge

[valleyman]

For a variety of reasons I am no longer happy with the OEM water temp gauge, viz., the fact that it never moves off of 19 mph no matter what my other temp gauges are reading or the ambient temperature or the terrain or the rpm etc., etc. I'd really rather not have to mount another aftermarket gauge and would prefer that the stock gauge be able to actually monitor temperature change. I, however, am ignorant and unworthy.

Does anyone know if a change can be made either to the sensor or to the guts of the dashboard gauge so that it will actually reflect in needle movement the changes in water temp? Or am I just dreaming here?

[DEFYANT]

It is an idiot light with a needle.

I am planning on going with a digital guage to monitor engine water temp and intercooler temp.

[Petrograde]

I'm getting a new water temp gauge too (Autometer Cobalt) ... I'm planning on mounting it in the center console.

[Zack]

For a variety of reasons I am no longer happy with the OEM water temp gauge, viz., the fact that it never moves off of 19 mph no matter what my other temp gauges are reading or the ambient temperature or the terrain or the rpm etc., etc. I'd really rather not have to mount another aftermarket gauge and would prefer that the stock gauge be able to actually monitor temperature change. I, however, am ignorant and unworthy.

Does anyone know if a change can be made either to the sensor or to the guts of the dashboard gauge so that it will actually reflect in needle movement the changes in water temp? Or am I just dreaming here?


If you hook a digital gauge to the OBD2 port, which Mac and I have done, you will find the temp fluctuates about 5-6 degrees, hardly worthy of spending big bucks for a digital conversion.

[Rkammer]

I have data logged and watched temp with both the laptop and the dash gauge. It's not an idiot light. It moves ever so slightly to reflect actual temp variations. The reason it doesn't move very much after getting to operating temp is because the cars thermastat and computer keep temp very stable. Less than 10deg variation under all operating conditions. That's good enough for me.

[SergntMac]

Zack and Rkammer are right, an aftermarket analogue gauge will be as boring as what's in your dash now. The OBDII tool I use is from www.scanguage.com and it's quite efficient. It has many features, check it out?

In another thread here, I'm testing engine oil weights, and seeing an increase in engine temps from heavier weight oil. Despite the increase in operating temps, the range remains in a 10 degree, or, less spread. The only time I saw the gauge move, was when it reached 240 degrees. So, it moves, but I'm not pleased with nearing 240 degrees before that movement is detected. At that point, the tranny also started acting up, so, even without a gauge, I knew I was running hot.

Increased operating temps contribute to detonation and build carbon deposits in the combustion chamber. A normal operating temp for my MM is 183-185 degrees, and when it reaches 200 degrees, I can feel the loss of timing and see the rich fuel charge the EEC is calling for to cool the combustion process. Engine temps are critical to fine tuning, and if you run hot on a regular basis, you will have problems over the long term.

If you want to stay on top of this, a digital gauge would be in your best interests, and reading the temp as the EEC reads it, is the temp you need to stay on top of, IMHO.

[mpearce]

Sorry to hi-jack...just thought of this...figured I'd put it here. My apologies if this has already been covered here...

Speaking of OBD2 ports...I assume that when we have to take our MM's in for emissions testing...they will be using something that plus into the OBD2 port to measure everything. What do us chipped and modded guys do when this happens? Just curious.

-Mat

[SergntMac]

Speaking of OBD2 ports...I assume that when we have to take our MM's in for emissions testing...they will be using something that plus into the OBD2 port to measure everything. What do us chipped and modded guys do when this happens? Just curious. -Mat
Ummm...Nothing. The emmisions scan will read the data available, and test some features of the EEC. Tests include a scan for matching VIN, trouble codes, and the EEC's ability to do a POST test when you start your engine. They won't know, or, detect that you have a custom tune in place, they don't have that kind of access. Everything read is because it's saved to a location in the EEC to be read, and that's about it.

[metroplex]

I hooked up a scan tool (Car code) and found the ECT fluctuates by 20 degrees all the time in the summer.

Basically 183*F when cruising, 200F when idling and drops back down to 185F with the fan running.

In the winter, it SLOWLY rises from ambient to 180F (after 10+ miles of stop/go traffic).

My OEM temp gauge moves up/down according to the changes. It's not precise due to the lack of markings, but I find that it is consistent in its movement. I can tell from eyeballing the gauge if my engine is warmed up or not.

CHT is generally within 3-5*F of the ECT.

[ckadiddle]

Thanks for investigating that one, guys. I was wondering about the coolant temp guage myself. I learn new stuff every day!

[DEFYANT]

Thanks for the clarification.