normal operating temp. range

[KuroiRMS13]

I just got a new Defi D-gauge temp gauge because the stock temp gauge was acting funny. I just rebuilt the motor so I needed accuracy to keep all the money I spent from going down the drain. the stock gauge was reading a "little" (one mark below halfway) low all the time and then sometimes spiking to a "little" (one mark above halfway) high. problem is I dont know what it is supposed to look like on a accurate gauge.

could anyone tell me what the normal operating temerature range(in degrees f or c ) is for a stock KA?

thanks

[bruinbear714]

Stock thermostat opens at 76.5C, nismo one opens at 62C

[KuroiRMS13]

Right. That was very helpful(if it is overheating due to the thermostat like I have been told it might be than the Nismo is one I'll need to think about). thank you. But my sender is mounted in the intake manifold water passage. the temperature there is going to be higher as the coolant comes out of the engine as opposedto going in at the thermostat, right?

[DjPantsSpecR]

i still havent hooekd my gauge up, no time.but im not sure how helpful this info will be to you

the fsm says the temp is 20c or 68f when the ECTS sensor sees 2.1-2.9 ohms50c or 122f when its 0.68-1.00 ohms80c or 176f when its 0.30-.33 ohms

so you can either check the terminals against your stats or something (this info is for the big red connector not the little spade guy for the stock gauge)

or you can just guess teh temp should be around the 122-176 range in F

[KuroiRMS13]

Actually that will work but it will take some time to check everything (resistance values against the stock gauge, basically testing the stock gauge for accuracy according to the FSM procedure, which I should do anyways) and then using the stock gauge, tested true, as a general guide to what temp range the coolant should be at.

but thats not very precice and that would take a lot of time, and effort. ng for me because I am busy(2 cars to fix and full time job w/ lotsa overtime), and lazy.

I would like to see what people with degree-specific temp guages are seeing as a typical range. also where are people mounting the sender/sensors for their guages because that theoretically could have a big impact on the measured readings. (I hope so anyways cause the thermo opens a 170ish and my sender on the intake mani reads as high as 220 for brief periods)

[skatanic28]

i thought the stock t-stat opens at 180* or 190* ?

i usually sit right around 190*. stock cts.aynthing under 160, i would starting worrying about running too cool. over 210, too warm.

[KuroiRMS13]

that's on your 96? so I assume you are reading the stock cts signal w/ a obd2 connected device right?

yea im pretty sure that there's a problem cus the top of the rad gets pretty hot and the bottom never gets more than a tiny bit warm. At first I thought that maybe this was a bad *** AL rad (cheap+eBay? yea right ) but now Im starting to think T-stat is not working. but i have never seen a thermostat work intermittently. I also just got this one about a year ago from the dealer.

I might have heard someone say that thermostats dont like to sit outside of water? but that sounds stupid cus they sit on the shelf till u buy em.