Re: Ways to get the motor to run cooler.
My coupe usually runs 186-188F after a few hours on the turnpike with the AC at MAX on a 90+ day. Have seen 192-194 at a stoplight. Under 200F I am not concerned. (I do have a digital readout from the OBD-II bus on the dash).
ps my experience is that older cars run fine at 160F but computer cars generally get a bit cranky much under 180F. Had a '90 Bonnie that ran fine for years untill drove up North in the winter. Past Atlanta all of a sudden the Lockup unlocked aand nthe tach jumped. Pulled into a rest area, checked everything out, got back on the road and fine for about five miles then unlocked again. Happened twice more until I figured out the thermostat was stuck open. AT 80F it did not matter but at 40F & 70 mph it was cooling off, dropping out of closed loop, and unlocking. Stop in rest area, no air through radiator and would warm up again. On the road it would cool back down.
Bottom line: a computer car is fine at 180-185F but don't try to run under that without reprogramming.
pps gauges always lie, just depends on how much. I use an IR thermometer gun on hoses and thermostat housing to find the real temperature.
Last edited by Padgett; Nov 9, 2015 at 01:54 PM.