temp gauge?

[paris]

where should the temp gauge sit in average driving on 70 degree day? Mine seems to stay rite above 190 is this ok?1978

[mbouse]

purrrrfect.

[jfrawley]

When I'm driving along that's where mine is locked in. But when I get stopped in traffic or let it sit and idle, it sneaks up a few notches. It does not over heat, but it certainly moves about three quarters of the way. The fan IS running when this happens. By the way, my heater core is by-passed. Any thoughts?

[rlux4]

If your cooling system were in perfect condition (radiator, hoses, water pump and passages) it would probably handle the extra heat build up you get when not moving (more air flow through the radiator = more heat transfer). Being as these cars are not new it would be unrealistic to expect that though, unless a very thourough reconditioning were done. The heater core is basically a little radiator, so if it's hooked up it can supply another place for heat dissipation out of the coolant water. Unfortunately that heat dissiapates into the passenger cabin. I've had cars that I had to use my heater with the fan turned on high under certain conditions (city traffic stall, up long grades in hot weather) when that happened I would put direct the air to defrost position. and open windows and vent windows if the car had them, that helped to keep the heat off the old bod.
Ron

[jfrawley]

Thanks. Later this week when I get a moment, I'm going to check and make sure the fans not running backwards. After that, I guess I'll just see how it goes this summer. The moral of this story is.....just keep going faster and faster to keep it cool!

[paris]

When I'm driving along that's where mine is locked in. But when I get stopped in traffic or let it sit and idle, it sneaks up a few notches. It does not over heat, but it certainly moves about three quarters of the way. The fan IS running when this happens. By the way, my heater core is by-passed. Any thoughts?

When does your fan kick in? Mine is not working rite??? I can get the fan to work by passing the thermostat so I know it;s not the fan? I just replaced the plug thermo at the bottom of the radiator. It may be it just has'nt got hot enough??

[ga.spyder]

Mine kicks in @ 195-205 by my guage,brings the temp back down to 190 or so ,then shuts off.From reading other posts I would say most guages are going to vary somewhat.Let it sit and idle in the yard and see where your fan kicks in.If you let it go through a couple of cycles you should have a good baseline for your car.
Craig

[So Cal Mark]

if your fan isn't turning on after having the cooling system drained, you have an air bubble trapped in the thermostat. Bleeding procedures are well documented on this site, just do a search.

[paris]

Thanks for the info I'll check it out..

[Baz]

The thermo fan switch that screws into the bottom of the radiator has the on/off temp figures stamped on the side of it (at least 3 that I have played with have) This will tell you at which temp the fan comes on and which temp it goes off. My temp gauge, during a long run shows all kinds of range. I must have a short/bad earth or something. I have replaced all switches, bled, cleaned radiator but I will now put in a NEW gauge and see if that works. I spoke to a Fiat service agent here in Australia about low oil pressure...He said that was just a Fiat thing and not to be concerned. I have done a top end o/haul and my oil gauge still drops back to zero.

I'm glad Fiat did not produce pacemakers !!

Baz

[mdrburchette]

Have you replaced your oil pressure sending unit? They become lazy over time.