Temp gauge in over "M" in "NORMAL", is that OK?

[JaguarS4R]

I always feel like my car runs warm. When im doing about 80mph (3k rpm w/4.10gears) the needle will be over "M". It was in the mid 70s-80degrees yesterday and I was driving on the highway for about 45min each way, if I drove closer to 90 for a few minutes, it will get closer to "A" and if its about 90+ degrees with A/C on, than the needle will literally be close to "L". Once I turn A/C off, it will just stay at "M". Say im doing 65mph with about 75degrees, then it will be right in the middle in "R". The car never overheats (knock on wood) and has no issues with that, I just feel like it def. runs warm. Thoughts? I have a 97 Cobra w/ Vortech blower

 

[DVJ38]

Sounds like it runs hotter than mine does. Usually mine will stay cooler on the highway versus around town driving due to all the air rushing through the radiator. How old is the coolant? Maybe a coolant flush and burp is in order to start.

 

[4vRedone]

yeah sounds like you need a coolant flush to me. Maybe change your tstat while your doing it. its pretty simple job.

 

[FoxFour]

Is the plastic air deflector still attached underneath the nose of the car? If not you can buy one for cheap at Late Model Resto. These little things add up. And I agree, burp the system again.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

 

[ILUVmy1998Cobra]

I was having the same issues earlier this year and after making sure there were no coolant leaks and it was topped off, I literally had to burp, test drive, and repeat for about a week. It will slowly get better so don't expect an immediate change from the burping. Unless you run it forever then maybe....I'd try that first before going any farther into the wallet

Just my 2 cents

 

[Bad03gt]

Are you running the stock radiator? With a 03 cobra radiator and with a cooler themastat mine ever comes off O even in 104* in traffic.

 

[SCCA SM]

i consider L to be overheating... def get a new t-stat and do a flush. make sure you burp it right. you can also try a bottle of redline water wetter. that stuff works and you can add it to your system easily.

 

[Bad03gt]

i consider L to be overheating... def get a new t-stat and do a flush. make sure you burp it right. you can also try a bottle of redline water wetter. that stuff works and you can add it to your system easily.

I love that stuff I ran in my s/c cobalt to keep the AIT and supercharger cool.

 

[JaguarS4R]

Which coolnt to use? Also ,which thermostat to use? Can it be from napa? How do I know if it has the 03 radiator? Any special way of bleeding?

 

[STAMPEDE3]

The stock gauge is a very narrow range. the difference in letters is only a few degrees.

Unles you made cooling mods it is designed to run 220° or so from the factory for emmissions and complete fuel burn.

That would be about right from what you are reading.

Like most I like mine cooler also but it is not anything to worry about if that is your concern.

 

[JaguarS4R]

I think I figured out my problem, my procharger intercooler sits in front of the radiator and barely any airflow reaches the radiator? So should I install a 160degree t-stat?

 

[STAMPEDE3]

180° stat and lower fan on/off temps in tune.
Bigger radiator if funds allow.

 

[JaguarS4R]

how do I know if i have the 04 radiator?

 

[J.Rovirosa]

Bought my '97 in '99 with 29k miles, stock. It has ALWAYS run on the left side of the "a" at its absolute hottest. Still completely stock cooling system, have always run Water Wetter, 60/40 distilled water to coolant, and a stock temp. thermostat.

Especially with the blower, it doesn't sound like you're running much hotter than it would if you were stock.

 

[AZSN95SNAKE]

Bought my '97 in '99 with 29k miles, stock. It has ALWAYS run on the left side of the "a" at its absolute hottest. Still completely stock cooling system, have always run Water Wetter, 60/40 distilled water to coolant, and a stock temp. thermostat.

Especially with the blower, it doesn't sound like you're running much hotter than it would if you were stock.

+1

Mine runs the same. Eff that, I went out and bought a 180.

 

[Oceanside78]

It's so weird so many people have cooling issues. Mine never cracks the R in NORMAL and I have a 18x stat. It can be 100 with the AC on at a stop light and stay between O and R. Stock radiator, no clue why it runs so cool

 

[STAMPEDE3]

It isn't an issue really. The range is narrow, you may be 10° cooler than what they are saying and I'd say a slight gauge inaccuracy could account for that.

Without modifications they were all designed to run around 220° from the factory.

 

[Oceanside78]

There's no way I get that hot. I think I cracked 180s on my data log doing back to back to back WOT pulls. I could be wrong though, that was a whole ago, but I know it wasn't over 200

 

[Oceanside78]

Is that a problem to run that cool?

 

[STAMPEDE3]

No it is not an issue to run cool. it is better in most opinions.

For emmissions reasons almost every factory car since fuel injection in 1986 was designed to run in the 220° range. Some a little colder. Factory stat is 196° which some will say 196-204°

IIRC factory high speed fan setting is 210 or 212° so over 200 from the factory is expected.

Your car has a 180 stat. Did you do anything else or did you buy it this way?

I don't recommend a 180 stat without lowering the fan on/off settings.


With that said, I stand by my statement that upper range of the N O R M A L in the factory gauge is not overheating or an issue.

When it hits the RED, then it is an issue. lol