Another Temp Gauge Issue ...But Weird
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 44
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Another Temp Gauge Issue ...But Weird
Hi Vette Folks,
I know this topic has been more than covered on the forum. But I seem to have a weird spin to the temp gauge issue.
On my 1970 LS5, I never had the original temp sender unit. I have played around with several different senders to find one that works correctly. At the moment when the engine is actually at 210F the gauge is showing 245F. I tested this against an old school mechanical gauge and IR gun.
Here is what I think is odd. When I turn the engine off, the temp gauge stays on its last reading. Even if I disconnect the battery, the gauge will still stay on the last reading. But if i let the engine cool, and turn the ignition back on, the gauge will jump back down to full cold before moving up as the engine warms again.
Not sure if this is linked, but the fuel gauge also stays on its last reading, even with the ignition off or battery disconnected. This gauge works fine though.
Can anyone help with this as I have run out of ideas.
Cheers,
BB
I know this topic has been more than covered on the forum. But I seem to have a weird spin to the temp gauge issue.
On my 1970 LS5, I never had the original temp sender unit. I have played around with several different senders to find one that works correctly. At the moment when the engine is actually at 210F the gauge is showing 245F. I tested this against an old school mechanical gauge and IR gun.
Here is what I think is odd. When I turn the engine off, the temp gauge stays on its last reading. Even if I disconnect the battery, the gauge will still stay on the last reading. But if i let the engine cool, and turn the ignition back on, the gauge will jump back down to full cold before moving up as the engine warms again.
Not sure if this is linked, but the fuel gauge also stays on its last reading, even with the ignition off or battery disconnected. This gauge works fine though.
Can anyone help with this as I have run out of ideas.
Cheers,
BB
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
BB unless I'm misreading your post it sounds normal.
The fuel and temp gauges only read when they have power unlike the oil gauge.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Thanks for the replies.
I was thinking I might be going crazy. I now have found a sender that is working correctly and within a couple of degrees of the actual engine temp. Hooray!
If i leave my Vette idling for 15 - 20 minutes the temp gauge sits pretty steadily at 210F. This seems a little high to me, but when I consulted the reproduction copy of the owners manual, it says 210 is normal operating temperature.
Does this sound right? What are other peoples experiences?
Cheers,
BB
I was thinking I might be going crazy. I now have found a sender that is working correctly and within a couple of degrees of the actual engine temp. Hooray!
If i leave my Vette idling for 15 - 20 minutes the temp gauge sits pretty steadily at 210F. This seems a little high to me, but when I consulted the reproduction copy of the owners manual, it says 210 is normal operating temperature.
Does this sound right? What are other peoples experiences?
Cheers,
BB
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 423
Likes: 7
From: Utah
My '69 "L36" sits around 170ish w/ Dual Fans. I remember it being around 200ish w/ the old mech fan before the rebuild. Haven't got on it yet (new motor) to see if it goes up a lot under thrashing. Wondering now if I should go up to 180 or 195 thermostat to bring the temp up or maybe changing the fan switch up to 180ish (currently 165 I think). I know engines shouldn't be too cool or they won't be running at peak performance.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Hi Shrekviper,
Yes, I think 170F sounds very low for operating temp of a combustion engine. Have you verified this this with something else besides the flaking vette temp gauge? Around the 185- 190F is what I have experienced as the normal running temp in cars (but it does vary).
This is why I was a little alarmed at my 70 Vette LS5 running at 210F. I am running a reproduction clutch fan, which I now believe are rated at a higher cut in temp that the originals. This might be why mine is running warmer than expected.
Can anyone else shed some light on this issue?
BB
Yes, I think 170F sounds very low for operating temp of a combustion engine. Have you verified this this with something else besides the flaking vette temp gauge? Around the 185- 190F is what I have experienced as the normal running temp in cars (but it does vary).
This is why I was a little alarmed at my 70 Vette LS5 running at 210F. I am running a reproduction clutch fan, which I now believe are rated at a higher cut in temp that the originals. This might be why mine is running warmer than expected.
Can anyone else shed some light on this issue?
BB
