Engine Temp-What is normal?
 

Ok, bought car in Nov 2015. Drove from Charlotte, NC to Baton Rouge temp needle just before third mark the whole way home. Did Intake refresh, thermostat with rear seal, TB, WP(Ed's Guardian), wires, caps, plugs, OPG, fuel injectors, motor mounts,...etc.
It's now summer and temp gauge is now just before red at highway speeds and drops just above third bar at idle.
Is the temp too high for summer? Should I look at radiator now? Recommendations please.

My 91 and 90 run to two thirds of the way between the second and third line. That seems too warm. How is the oil pressure? Are the fans both working?

Oil pressure at 70mph is at about 5 bar with the temp you see here and I am running Royal Purple HPS 20w50. Fans are both running fine.

Sound like the oil pressure is ok. I use the same oil. I would try and verify the temp at the waterbridge.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...57ce289967.jpg

This was at idle with temp at two thirds before third mark at water bridge exit to radiator. Is this too high?

The temp sensor is on the DS of the bridge, but anywhere on the bridge should ok.

I am no expert on this, but seem the temp gauge is correct. So, I guess the question is what is the temp it both radiator outlets? There should be a differential.

Has the running temp changed since the refresh? There a chance the engine is running lean. This will make the engine run hotter. Pull a plug check the condition.

Thanks I'll check plugs tomorrow. Yes, temp change is since refresh.

Did you put in a new thermostat during the refresh and is it installed correctly?

Did you remember the lower thermostat seal?

Yes I did replace the rear seal.
Cosmo: please explain installed correctly. I installed it with the coil toward the rear seal and the manufacturer I think was Walhler could be read. I misspoke in my original post that this happened after refresh. Actually the temp has been fine for about a month and when I went to work today it was fine but on the way home this evening is when the temp was beyond the third bar.

Hi Tracy,

You own a BLACK on BLACK car... it's bound to have heat problems :)

Jacksonville, FL and Gonzales, LA are at approx. the same latitude and in the South East, that means we OFTEN share the same weather patterns.

SO, I will say, if I run my AC long and hard here in Florida, that I creep into the last third territory of the gauge. Not being a scientist, I think it is the heat soak of the condenser that influences the temperature of the air being drawn through the radiator.

As a precautionary measure, I've introduced a pusher fan in front of the radiator which is triggered off the other two fans (via relay). In my recent run to SITM, I ONLY crept to just below the 210 mark where in the past I was over it.

It is worth noting I also converted to Dorman Fans in place of the stock fans.

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...the-928-a.html

I honestly think you're pretty normal for the time of year but I would suggest the extreme heat brethren (UAE, Arizona, Lost Wages) on this list might tell us all what normal actually is.

If your oil pressure stays up and you consciously change oil before Summer, I think you'll be okay.

I appreciate the info and makes me feel a little better that this may be a bit normal in our hot climates.I will definitely look into the pusher fan and I am pulling the radiator to get it checked and repaired if I can find a good radiator shop. I'll check the thermostat function also.

If the readings were lower until your return home from works then the engine is probably running hotter than before. If the dash gauge is accurate, you are running hotter than you should. As said above, check the temp sensor on the water bridge.

I may have found the problem. We'll see after I get it back from radiator shop. See photos

Was just reading this thread and thinking radiator. My S4 used to run warm, close to upper white line, until I recored the radiator. Now runs between the white lines.

Looks like you'll see the same improvement.