How cool are these engines supposed to run?

[anarchyx34]

My temp gauge normally sits here:



This pic was taken while driving at 65mph for about 3o minutes. Sometimes after getting off the highway or in extended suburban driving it'll go up to the next line but I've never seen it higher than that. Thermostat is brand new. Is this normal? I checked heater output and I'm getting 150 degrees at the dash vents, so maybe it's not as cool as it looks.

[coke]

Yes, you need to do as I did. Replace the temperature sender on the coolant flange on the front of the cylinder head. When you go to get the sensor, specify color BLACK and get it from Napa. My temperature gauge was doing the same exact thing, and I replaced it with the BLACK sensor for a 1990 Jetta Diesel that they offered and it cured it.

[anarchyx34]

That's the one I have. It came with my motor. Unless, not all black sensors are the same? Should I try swapping the sensor off my old gas engine because it seemed to act a bit more normal.

[coke]

You can but I wouldn't. I'd just replace it.  The sensors get contaminated and alot of the older sensors lose their original abilities. Don't ask me why, I can't explain it. But my sensor did the EXACT same thing as yours, almost to a TEE as where my line was, and thats what I did. Replaced the sensor. It was 7 bucks well spent.

[tylernt]

I have the opposite problem with my Fox, the gauge reads too high. Maybe we should trade.

[jtanguay]

yea me too... or maybe my motor is just getting too hot? mine reads just under the 2nd tick from the right (when I have a/c on, and are driving steady)

[tylernt]

I checked my Fox's gauge using a candy thermometer in the little stream of coolant in the coolant overflow resevoir. Not all cars shoot that stream, though (my Rabbit doesn't), which makes it hard to tell.

[burn_your_money]

Your rabbit should shoot that stream Tyler. Check for a clog in the line from the top of the rad to the overflow. Mine had a piece of gasket maker stuck in it.
My car also runs just below the second line, which seems hot to me but the guy I bought it from says that that is exactly where his runs as well

[tylernt]

Your rabbit should shoot that stream Tyler. Check for a clog in the line from the top of the rad to the overflow.

I unplugged it from the tank and blew through it no problem, so it's not clogged. I've heard of a couple other people who don't get a stream, even with a new water pump. So I'm not sure what the deal is. My Rabbit runs plenty cool, though, only two hash marks above "Cold", and I have a new water pump and thermostat, so it is kind of puzzling.

[jtanguay]

Your rabbit should shoot that stream Tyler. Check for a clog in the line from the top of the rad to the overflow.

I unplugged it from the tank and blew through it no problem, so it's not clogged. I've heard of a couple other people who don't get a stream, even with a new water pump. So I'm not sure what the deal is. My Rabbit runs plenty cool, though, only two hash marks above "Cold", and I have a new water pump and thermostat, so it is kind of puzzling.

I had some big problems with a clogged rad with my motor.  Your best bet is to try to bleed the system.  To do this take the rad cap off, and run the motor (but be careful of the coolant spilling over since it was meant to be under pressure.)

thats the best way to bleed it.  I used a thermometer just to make sure that my thermostat was opening at the right temp.  It was about 1/2 a degree off which is definitely acceptable.  I bought it from the stealer, which was expensive, but worth it in the long run.