86 temp gauge data
08-06-2012, 08:33 PM
#1
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What do the 86 temp gauge markings read?
Title changed.
My 86 5.0l has started doing funny temperature things.
6k km ago I fitted all new engine sensors and all has been well.
A few days ago, very cold here just now, the temp warning light came on, the temp gauge was on the upper white line [about 3/4 the way up the gauge]. Normally this weather it is on the lower white line. If I stop and idle the temp drops and the light goes out. if I push it a bit the temp rises and the light come back on.
Car runs like a dream still, starts fine, idles well, chirps the rear tyres in second.
When I take the water tank cap off, there is no steam or evidence of overheating but it is pushing water out of the overflow.
What temperatures do the graduations on the gauge represent?
What temp should the warning light come on at?
Is there a list of resistance values somewhere to check this stuff?
Thanks in anticipation chaps.
My 86 5.0l has started doing funny temperature things.
6k km ago I fitted all new engine sensors and all has been well.
A few days ago, very cold here just now, the temp warning light came on, the temp gauge was on the upper white line [about 3/4 the way up the gauge]. Normally this weather it is on the lower white line. If I stop and idle the temp drops and the light goes out. if I push it a bit the temp rises and the light come back on.
Car runs like a dream still, starts fine, idles well, chirps the rear tyres in second.
When I take the water tank cap off, there is no steam or evidence of overheating but it is pushing water out of the overflow.
What temperatures do the graduations on the gauge represent?
What temp should the warning light come on at?
Is there a list of resistance values somewhere to check this stuff?
Thanks in anticipation chaps.
Last edited by ramcram; 08-08-2012 at 10:12 PM.
08-06-2012, 09:23 PM
#2
Race Car
Can only post some personal experience from one of my past cars...temp gauge danced around, would warm up normally but after getting to op temp it would periodically snap up to max, then snap back down a few increments but still hot, then go normal, etc. IR gun showed normal operating temps. Familiar with the mantra grounds...grounds..grounds, I did and redid grounds, grounds, grounds with no change. Got a replacement gauge despite admonishons that they don't go bad...on pulling the orig noted a conspicuous brown hi-temp mark near the gauge resistor. Replaced, got normal operation. Seems that sometimes, rarely, they go bad.
08-10-2012, 12:41 AM
#3
Burning Brakes
It sounds like it is actually getting hot if it is pushing coolant out the overflow. The fact that it cools down when load is reduced is an indication that the cooling system is generally functional, but running out of cooling capacity under higher loads. There are a number of potential reasons but it really depends on the cooling system maintenance history. How long ago was the water pump changed? Has the radiator ever been flushed? Are all the fans related to cooling air flow working properly?
08-10-2012, 12:50 AM
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The water pump and all temp sensors were replaced 6k km ago. The radiator is nearly new.
I think the thermostat is stuck. I let it warm up in the garage yesterday and when the temp gauge steadied at the first mark, the radiator tanks were still cold.
What i'd really like to know, is what temps do the marks on the gauge represent.
What resistance should the sensor put out for those temps and what temp should the warning light come on at?
I think the thermostat is stuck. I let it warm up in the garage yesterday and when the temp gauge steadied at the first mark, the radiator tanks were still cold.
What i'd really like to know, is what temps do the marks on the gauge represent.
What resistance should the sensor put out for those temps and what temp should the warning light come on at?
It sounds like it is actually getting hot if it is pushing coolant out the overflow. The fact that it cools down when load is reduced is an indication that the cooling system is generally functional, but running out of cooling capacity under higher loads. There are a number of potential reasons but it really depends on the cooling system maintenance history. How long ago was the water pump changed? Has the radiator ever been flushed? Are all the fans related to cooling air flow working properly?
