1.6 n/a temperature

[zuki709]

I have a 91 golf with a 1.6 n/a the previous owner had screwed around with the fan wiring. i have sinced returned it to the stock wiring as per the diagrams i have found on the net. if i hoop out the terminals i can get the low speed and high speed to function. my question now is what is the gauge reading the fan is suppose to come on? when the gauge reads aroun 3/4 the low speed comes on and cools the engine to around 1/2. is this normal? it seems high to me but this is a new car to me and my first running vw.

[ORCoaster]

From most of what I read the VW dash gauge reads 1/2 when the engine temp = what you have for a stock thermostat.  I know my 1.6 does that.  190 degrees and it is pretty much dead on the mark at 1/2.  Also each line on the gauge is about 10 degrees C. 

That help cool your thoughts and concerns?

[zuki709]

I just changed the thermostat it is a 87 degree c thermostat. i am guessing when you say the half way mark is 190 you mean F not C. if is F that would mean my low speed fan is cutting in around 93 C maybe a little lower. so i geuss that would be ok then, wouldn't it?

[ORCoaster]

Yes 190 F.  Sounds like it is working to me.  You don't want it cold but not boiling either.  You are running a good mix of Antifreeze/antiboil over in it are you not?

Sorry for the mix on the degrees kind of confusing, should have all been metric.  I think I run an 86 C in mine.  On the VDO it holds just below the 90 mark and only when it gets hot and the fan comes on do I see it bump the line of 90. 

[rodpaslow]

I have a 90 1.6 na and the oem temp gauge is a tad over half way cruising and fan doesn't come on till about 3/4 or about 220-240 degrees and that is quite normal for my car.

I also have a 90 jetta with a 2.0 16V with a 160° thermostat and lower thermoswitch for the fan and it comes on low at about 200 deg F.  So if you are worried, you can usually find a lower thermoswitch to come on sooner to cool the everything. (this car also has a VDO temp gauge)

I have a 1.6 TD in another car and cruising runs right at 200 deg with a 180 thermostat. (new engine) Fan starts at 230-240 deg on low speed (96 golf)

[veector]

Ive got about the same on my 1.6D, yes i know its a mk1 so the fan has one speed, but its a hydro 1.6D from a 91 golf.  Regular driving shows a tiny bit over 1/2 and the fan comes on around the 3/4 mark.  Been like this for almost a year and no problems, im told its pretty normal.

[CrazyAndy]

Same for my MK1, when it ran of course; cuts on at 3/4 and off at 1/2, with it holding at 1/2 cruising on the highway at ~60.  It's fine.  If it never touches the red, then it hasn't overheated.  I know it's a weird experience since I went through the same 'temp gauge crisis'.  It's a moderately sensitive gauge compared to modern cars which iron out the constant changes by having the gauge output signal through the ECM.

Bottom line, ceep calm and carry on.  Nobody warped a head from almost overheating . . . .  . . but in for pics if you do. 

[zuki709]

thank for all the replys that makes me feel alot better. the only other types of cars i drive are suzuki's and the gauge never go over half. so i was a little worried about runing hot. but in saying that all my zuk's are gas and this is my first diesel that ran mybe the diesel run a little hotter or the zuk gauges have a higher range. either way this takes away all my worries of running to hot thanX.