temp questions

[btoran]

since i put my dash back together, my temp guage seems to read much lower than before, which would seem a good thing. however, when i flip the hood after a drive, the entire engine bay is pretty warm. i never checked this before, so i'm not sure if it's normal or not. i used a temperature sensing gun and found the temp to be about 175 at the top of the block and the top of the radiator and 135 at the bottom of the radiator. the fan has not kicked on recently, but it was working in the fall and kicking on at 190.

does the different radiator temps at top and bottom indicate a blockage? if so, what next?

where exactly is the thermostat located and what's the procedure for removing it so i can test it in boling water?

where exactly is the temp sensing unit located and what's the procedure for removing it? i' mean the one that sends the temp reading to the guage. is there a way to test it?

thanks.

[TX82FIAT]

A lot depends on where exactly you pointed the temp gun. However, 175 at the top and 135 at the bottom does sound like an issue if you ran the car long enought for it to get up to full operating temperature. Could be a partial blockage or as you have thought the thermostate. On the head in between the spark plugs is where the sending unit for the temp gauge should be. The fan kicks on when the bottom of the radiator hits a certain temp (188 or 190) You may have unrelated items. The coolant is redirected by the thermostat once the car hits operating temperature. If the car does not hit operating temperature the thermostat will not open. The thermostat is the metal piece where three coolant hoses connect on the passanger side of the vehicle. You would need to drain some coolant out of the system, undo the hose clamps holding it in place and do the test you described.

[4uall]

this might help with the identification

http://www.international-auto.com/fiat- ... cation.cfm

[btoran]

thaks guys. that gives me a place to start.