Close to disasterous problem: thoughts?
 

I've been having trouble with the temp gauge reading too cold so I was checking out the 3 sensors (coolant temp, temp guage, Condenser fans). I decided to test the coolant temp at my usual running temp and realized that my normal running temp is 180deg F but if pushed beyond idle will rise to 210deg F. At anything about 180 or with A/C on fully, the condenser fans never turn on. So apparently I'm overheating but get enough compensation from my viscous fan that I haven't blown the engine. Any thoughts? Am I not understanding something properly?

RM

RE: Close to disasterous problem: thoughts?
 

Check your coolant level first and make sure that it is full.
Have you repalced your thermostat? The proper t-stat is a 195F, so your trk running around 210 is normal. 230 is overheating, 250 is death.
Start with the coolant level, if it is low you will not get a accurate reading on the dash.
If your trk is running to cold with the proper coolant level your t-stat is bad.
If your sensor were bad 90% of the time your gauge just wont work.

RE: Close to disasterous problem: thoughts?
 

What year model and mileage will help.

RE: Close to disasterous problem: thoughts?
 

Sorry, its a 94 D1, 93K miles.

I'm not sure if the engine is running hot or cold.
The guage reads cold with coolant temp of 180. If I idle at 1500rpm with A/C on high for five minutes it climbs out of cold into the "normal range" with coolant temp of 210. The T-stat is new. So I guess I run cold too often right? What could cause this?

RE: Close to disasterous problem: thoughts?
 

Are you sure that your gauge is accurate? Is the viscous fan clutch locked up? Did you get the right t-stat?
They sell low, medium and high temp t-stats. You want the medium one, 195F.
Running to cold will kill your MPG as well as carbon up the engine really fast and bad. Are you using premium gas?

RE: Close to disasterous problem: thoughts?
 

Funny you mention gas milage. I get horrible milage, usually single digits, but 11 or 12 hwy. I replaced the t-stat with the 88deg Cel (approx 190F), its the standard one from DAP. Where have you seen the three different ones?

RE: Close to disasterous problem: thoughts?
 

They were at AutoZone, I assume that you are in Canada and I dont know if you have a AutoZone up there or not.
I just looked at AB and they too only list one T-stat and it is a 190F, maybe you got a bad one and it is stuck open?