Temp Reading Question

[h0tr0d]

Hey guys, I'm a bit concerned that I might be losing gas mileage due to my engine running too cool. The consensus for the nbs crowd is that it should run about 180 or so. What are your readings in your trucks?

Here is a pic of my temp gauge. I have only seen it slightly above the next middle hash mark. This is after the truck has warmed up and it's a 90 degree day here. I'm guessing that this is ~140 give or take a few.

And before you guys rail on me for my 3 core aluminum radiator, the temp reading before the mod was only 1/2 to 1 division above where it is currently.

 

[grimm]

Thats right where it should be. That's what mine reads. Most will read out right about there, give or take a notch. But if our gauges were to scale, that would be roughly 155 degrees, which I don't think is right. What ever the case its fine right where it is.

 

[BOSS]

Man my NBS hovers around 185-190, what is the difference between these engine platforms that makes them need to run so much cooler?

B

 

[h0tr0d]

Thanks for the reassurance grimm. I'll just keep my eye on it for a while since I just replaced the radiator and maybe pick up a spare thermostat if it starts to worry me too much.

I may get a scangauge soon to see what the computer is reporting, plus I think it'd be a cool thing to have around.

 

[crmzendrgone]

I have a 92 and that is where mine sits and I have a 195 Tstat in mine. But I my engine pings like crazy.

 

[bass1775]

I have a 160 powerstat in mine for 10 plus years and 140k. Runs fine, no problem. I checked it with a scan tool and it's right on the money at 160-165.

 

[TheBeast99]

once warmed up and doing normal driving my guage will read ~165F, but the onboard computer will say 90C (194F).
had SpeeDee diag the t-stat and it checked out fine, so whatever. the truck isn't overheating, and the t-stat was replaced when i blew my intake gasket, so i know it's new.

 

[TahoeJim]

once warmed up and doing normal driving my guage will read ~165F, but the onboard computer will say 90C (194F).

That's the issue.....the marks on the temp gauges don't reflect reality, they are not accurate by a long shot.

My truck consistently runs at the first mark above the large 1/4 mark. That 1/4 mark should be 155 degrees. Each tick mark above should be 13.75 degrees higher. The mark where my truck normally runs is supposedly 168.75 degrees. Dead wrong. Driving with my Actron scanner in place, it's 192 degrees.

Out of the fuel, oil pressure, voltage and temp gauges...the only 2 which are accurate on my cluster are voltage and oil pressure, as I tested and verified.

 

[steamroller]

That's the issue.....the marks on the temp gauges don't reflect reality, they are not accurate by a long shot.

x2
mine reads around the 210 mark, scan tool says 190-195

 

[Danny_Z56]

Here are my gauges....

During the cooler months,my temp gauge will read a tad bit under the 1/4 mark.Most of the time it reads right on the 1/4 mark.

 

[grimm]

That seems to be where most of them will read. Now the accuracy seems to be anybody's guess. There's people with completely accurate gauges. On the flip side there's people running hotter or cooler than what their gauges show. The gauge it self doesn't even seem to have a linear way of reading. From 100 (the first mark) to 210 (halfway mark) is a 110 degree difference. Logically, you would think being the halfway point that it's another 110 degrees to the maximum mark, but its not, it's 50 degrees. Its a strange gauge that's apparently useless for some and very helpful for others. For me, if the gauge is at the 1/4 mark, everything is okay. If you need to have an exact measurement of coolant temperature, you can check it manually.

---------- Post added at 09:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:12 AM ----------

On a side note, like TahoeJim, excluding my speedometer and tach, my oil pressure gauge and voltmeter are on the money. My gas gauge is only accurate because I'm used to driving it and know by the way it reacts to movement just how low I am on gas.

 

[Danny_Z56]

I agree Grimm,as long as my gauges are were they are supposed to be or close to it im ok.

Having a mechanical fan really helps keep temps in check,esp in the summer months.Also with my vehicle being a police package,i have the added benefit of oil,tranny,and power steering coolers.Although some of your civi Tahoe's and Yukons may have these as well,don't really know.

 

[TheBeast99]

ya i agree with Grimm, i'm just gonna keep on truckin and go with this. nothing is wrong, so as long as my gauges don't start acting differently, i'm not gonna worry.