OK my temp gauge is really low - where should it sit?

[CMF_chippo]

Like my topic says! um... shouldn't it be sitting somewhere around the 1/3 mark or just under half?

Maybe someone took out the thermostat altogether cause the guage does go up, but only a little.

Any help much apprieciated!

 

[CMF_Brendon]

its probably ok. my micra temp gauge never went past 1/3rd at its hottest. usually sat about 1/4 of gauge

 

[CMF_chippo]

Thanks for that Brendon, mine hardly moves up at all. Only just clears the starting mark. Should be fine then I guess.

 

[CMF_Yom]

This is not normal at all.

It could be the gauge sensor malfunctioning or as you mentioned it could be the thermostat stuck open.

The best way to tell without too much effort is to stick a probe in the coolant once it is "hot" and see what the temp is. If its around 70 to 85deg C everything is probably OK and its a temp gauge sender fault.

If the temp is lower than that you have other issues. Whether or not they're bad is a different matter. The ECU will richen up the mixtures a bit when the engine is cold and this can sometimes give you a bit more poke.

 

[CMF_White Knight]

Not good. Your temp gauge should sit half way or very close. Is your gauge working properly? your thermostat ? At around 87 degrees your thermostat should start to open and around 93degrees should be fully open allowing full circulation of the coolent. The engine works at peak efficency at these temps. If it is running cold you could be creating undue engine wear. Modern engines need to get to operating temp ASAP.Cold operating temps mean wear.That is why cabs last so long, engine never cold.
Had a mate with a limo cab. Ran about 20 hours per day. If he could not get 500,000kl out of an engine he was mightly peeved.

 

[CMF_chippo]

Yeah that's what I thought, every other car I've had sits some way up the guage - thanks for your info guys will get onto this pronto. Hopefully it's just a bad reading.