Low Water Temperature Readout
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Knoxville Maryland
Low Water Temperature Readout
Hi. The other day I drove my stock '89 to work which is about 65 miles one way. When I reached work the temperature readout was only reading around 154 degrees. The oil temperature was only reading about 174 degrees. I thought it might be a stuck thermostat but, the oil temperature would not have been that low after running an hour. Would it? Then I thought it might be a sending unit but, I don't think the same sender works for both water and oil.
When I went home both the oil and water seemed to be normal. I have a new 180 degree fail safe thermostat that I installed in January. The water was reading 183 and oil was 202 on the way home. When I got home, I checked both the oil and water levels and everything was right on full. This situation is really confusing me. Any input or ideas would be appreciated.
When I went home both the oil and water seemed to be normal. I have a new 180 degree fail safe thermostat that I installed in January. The water was reading 183 and oil was 202 on the way home. When I got home, I checked both the oil and water levels and everything was right on full. This situation is really confusing me. Any input or ideas would be appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
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From: Slidell Louisiana
65 mile drive can mean different things A 65 mile drive on empty highway at 60 mph is different than 65 mile drive on congested highway blasting in and out of traffic trying to average 110 mph over entire trip which is different than 65 miles sitting in traffic going from stop light to stop light in 100 degree weather.
So since it read pretty close to normal temps on way home my thought would be......
Cooling system is working well and it was a nice 30 degree morning on the way in and you are a right lane **** putting along at 50mph.
Am I close???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: No HOA, New Hampshire
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St. Jude Donor '09
My guess is that your thermostat failed open or if it was drilled the holes are too big. I would bet you have an oil cooler that keeps the oil temp close to the coolant temp.
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Knoxville Maryland
65 mile drive can mean different things
A 65 mile drive on empty highway at 60 mph is different than 65 mile drive on congested highway blasting in and out of traffic trying to average 110 mph over entire trip which is different than 65 miles sitting in traffic going from stop light to stop light in 100 degree weather.
So since it read pretty close to normal temps on way home my thought would be......
Cooling system is working well and it was a nice 30 degree morning on the way in and you are a right lane **** putting along at 50mph.
Am I close???
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 57
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From: Knoxville Maryland
I would not think that would be too big as this is the first time that I got these readings. I know that back in February when it was down in the 30's driving to work it would run at about 171 degrees. The failed open would mean that it would run cool (150's) the next cool morning that I drive it. I will give that a try. If it did fail, I think I will replace it with cheap Stant thermostat the next time as this one failed in 4 months.Thanks all of the replies so far.
