cool engine

[jeff-d]

the temperature on the temp gauge only goes to the quarter mark, this is the second temp gauge i have had on the car the other one showed the same, as i remember on the other cars i have had the temperature went to the half way mark, i have renewed the thermostat but still the same i have put a piece of carboard across the front grill but has not made a lot of differance goes to just over quarter mark i can drive 5 to 10 miles and still the same, car drives great as it is just hope the under cooling is not doing any damage to the engine, i dont know what it was like in the summer or last winter as i did not have a temp gauge fitted then. regards jd

[bmcecosse]

Is the heater working well - lots of nice hot air ? Have you fitted an 88 (or even 92) degree stat? I'm guessing it's an electric gauge - is it being fed from the 10 volt regulated supply on the back of the speedo ?

[jeff-d]

yes heater working well, gauge connected to back of speedo on wire that goes to petrol gauge dont know what thermostat it is i bought it off bullmotif, this is the second gauge i have fitted and both have shown the same temperature. cheers

[bmcecosse]

It may be your gauge is designed to run off the full battery voltage - you could try that - but I would want to confirm the temperature by putting a thermometer in the radiator immediately after a good brisk run - taking care when removing the rad cap, and keeping the engine running while you take it's temperature.

[Declan_Burns]

It could be a mismatch between gauge and sender and I suspect the sender. Have you measured the actual water temperature in the rad?
Regards
Declan

[Declan_Burns]

Roy,
You just got there before me!

[bmcecosse]

[jeff-d]

thanks all, will try the thermometer in rad, what temperature should it be when running hot. cheers

[bmcecosse]

If the stat is 74 degrees - then just under 74 ! An 88 stat is much better in winter.

[Declan_Burns]

Once the engine has been warmed up, connect a potentiometer in parallel with the sender and adjust the deflection until the gauge is reading in the middle if you have C-N-H type gauge or the corresponding reading if it it shows degrees.
Read this:
http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f= ... er#p368820
In your case it''s just the opposite to a gauge that underreads. In this case you need more current through the gauge so a parallel connection is required. No need to change the sender or the gauge and insulate and hide the potentiometer once set.
Regards
Declan

[bmcecosse]

Aye - but ONLY if the temperature is correct. I suspect the gauge will read correctly if fed with full battery volts........