CRG Discussion Forum
Camaro Research Group Discussion => Maintenance => Topic started by: Andi on June 06, 2017, 03:19:27 PM
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My temp gauge is running about 230 degrees. Some people says it's "ok" while others say it's way too hot and could blow the engine. Just wondering if anyone has any advice and/or what could be causing it to run so hot. New radiator, new twin fans, new serpentine & belts all installed within the past year. '68 Camaro with a 400 motor.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Andi
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Where are you getting that temperature from? In other words, what brand of gauge?
Ed
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I'm not sure of the brand of the gauge. Is is possible that the gauge is wrong? Is there another way to test the temp?
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Yes, go out to Harbor Freight and get a LASER TEMPERATURE GAUGE (https://www.harborfreight.com/non-contact-infrared-thermometer-with-laser-targeting-61894.html). They're cheap ($28 bucks plus tax) and very accurate. Point it all over the engine, exhaust, radiator, etc... and see what kind of readings you get. Other than the exhaust manifolds, the hottest part of the engine will be at the thermostat housing. That's where the hottest water goes back into the radiator to be cooled.
Ed
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That's the gauge I use when spraying epoxy in cooler weather to make sure I have the correct surface temperature. It works great and a good deal especially with their 20% off coupon.
Mie
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Thank you for this suggestion! I will definitely look into this and follow up :)
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It works great and a good deal especially with their 20% off coupon.
Yes, right now ITEM NUMBER 69465 (https://www.harborfreight.com/Non-Contact-Infrared-Thermometer-With-Laser-Targeting-69465.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiODkwMTM5NTUiLCJza3UiOiI2OTQ2NSIsImlzIjoiMTkuOTkiLCJwcm9kdWN0X2lk%0D%0AIjoiODkwNSJ9%0D%0A) is on sale for $19.99 with coupon 89013955. I couldn't find the coupon in their flyer, so it looks like it's only valid online (so you would have to pay for shipping), but check your local store anyway.
After a little more digging, I found the 20% OFF COUPON (https://www.harborfreight.com/digitalsavings.html) for you! Print it out and take it to the store. There's also a way to put it on your smart phone (I see people all the time holding it up so the checker can scan it), but I'm an old man and have a "stupid" phone, so I have to print the coupons out (or clip them from the flyer)!
Ed
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I would say 200-210 I would be ok with. With the electric fans you should be able to get it down to 180-190 I would think, except maybe in traffic on a hot day.
Ed, I have a smart phone and it is still easier / faster to bring in the paper coupon.
One of these days I am going to bump into you! ( you only live a mile away from me).. ;D
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Isn't it nice that we now have a store in Murrieta! We used to have to drive all the way to Hemet, where old folks go to die!!!
Ed
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Well Your obscurity will only last so long buddy, Murrieta is not that big.... :)
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35 years ago when we first moved out here, it was nothing but horse ranches and farmland. There was ONE stop sign and ONE grocery store (Murrieta Country Market in old town).
Then, around the turn of the century, people from San Diego and Orange County started moving here in droves, and it's become a nightmare. Traffic is abysmal and where we once had a nice peaceful township (actually, an "unincorporated area") of less than 2000, has now turned into a city of over 120 thousand! There's a Walmart a bit less than 2 miles from me, and to get there, I have to go through 8 stop lights! On a Friday afternoon, it's not uncommon to take 30 minutes or more to go from Walmart to my house. Again, 2 miles away!!
The census stated in 2010 that Murrieta was the fastest growing city in the United States. I rarely believe anything the government tells me, but in this case, I can assure you, they're spot on!
By the way, sorry for wandering off topic!
Ed
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Well I now live Unincorporated Murrieta (riverside county), so maybe a couple of miles further from you. (I lived right off of Vista murrieta 2 years ago). It may be more congested now, but sill better than Seattle, and the bay area, IMO.
back to topic, so while it is in the 80's here most of the year, what temperatures and (as Ed mentioned) what type of traffic are you in when you see your temp gauge at 230?
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Ed,
It's ok to wander once in a while. :)
My buddy moved out that way (Escondido originally) around 1986. Now lives near Valley Center. We are going to have to meet up next time I am out that way.
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It works great and a good deal especially with their 20% off coupon.
Yes, right now ITEM NUMBER 69465 (https://www.harborfreight.com/Non-Contact-Infrared-Thermometer-With-Laser-Targeting-69465.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiODkwMTM5NTUiLCJza3UiOiI2OTQ2NSIsImlzIjoiMTkuOTkiLCJwcm9kdWN0X2lk%0D%0AIjoiODkwNSJ9%0D%0A) is on sale for $19.99 with coupon 89013955. I couldn't find the coupon in their flyer, so it looks like it's only valid online (so you would have to pay for shipping), but check your local store anyway.
After a little more digging, I found the 20% OFF COUPON (https://www.harborfreight.com/digitalsavings.html) for you! Print it out and take it to the store. There's also a way to put it on your smart phone (I see people all the time holding it up so the checker can scan it), but I'm an old man and have a "stupid" phone, so I have to print the coupons out (or clip them from the flyer)!
Ed
Seems to be in sale now for $17.89 and a I don't think a coupon is needed.
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EVERYbody should have one, best tool for diagnosis there is.
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I have been wondering the same thing about my factory console temp gauge reading. I have used the temp probe from my multimeter to check the engine temp at various locations and they read as follows: the temp sending unit is 195-198, the thermostat housing around 190, and the upper radiator inlet is around 175. But the temp gauge reads in the middle of the gauge until driving around town it jumps up to the higher end of the operable range, which is the point where I took these readings. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
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Before you spend time and money rebuilding it, call Holley and see if it was one of the carbs that got recalled. If yes, they will replace it. Check out this link: http://www.camaros.net/forums/18-engine/420090-holley-carb-recall.html
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Before you spend time and money rebuilding it, call Holley and see if it was one of the carbs that got recalled. If yes, they will replace it. Check out this link: http://www.camaros.net/forums/18-engine/420090-holley-carb-recall.html
???????
Ed
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Someplace, I think on this site, I saw where someone gave actual readings to where the gauge was registered. I will do some more looking, cant find it right off
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http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=8106.msg55101;topicseen#msg55101
Or are you talking about one where Johnz gave readings?
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no someone took actual temperature readings and where the needle would be on the gauge. my z has a 180 thermostat and runs about the middle which is right where he found to be 180 if I remember. I will keep looking.
I thought I kept it as a favorite page and cant find it.
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The following links discuss where I made a few simple mods to improve the cooling especially in stop and go traffic, especially at altitude (4500 feet), especially with today's gas, especially with marginal cooling systems from the factory originally (ask anyone who has or has had a mid-year big block Vette), etc....
http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=12530.msg105024#msg105024
http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=5425.msg35377#msg35377
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Here is that info: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=15848.0