Water temp

[shadowfever]

My 71 Arkley MG has temp gauge with a custom face. When driving it never shows over 150 degrees which sounds low to me. It makes me wonder if perhaps I'm not getting an accurate temp reading. The car is not overheating and there is no indication that it is not warming up sufficiently but I'm still uncomfortable not knowing if I am getting an accurate reading. Is there a way to check my water temp to compare the reading to my gauge?

 

[RickF]

The only way to accurately check the temperature would be to install another gauge. You could use an infrared handheld thermometer and check the surace temp of the radiator tank, hoses, thermostat housing, etc. to get an idea of water temp.

 

[shadowfever]

The only way to accurately check the temperature would be to install another gauge. You could use an infrared handheld thermometer and check the surace temp of the radiator tank, hoses, thermostat housing, etc. to get an idea of water temp.

Thank you

 

[DavidApp]

Or you could remove the bulb and put it in water of a known temperature. Use a kitchen or barbeque thermometer to get the water temperature.

David

 

[Scargo]

Would putting a candy thermometer or the probe of a meat thermometer into the coolant flowing at the top of the radiator with the engine running not work?

 

[shadowfever]

It probably would. Since it is a pressurized system is there a possibility of engine damage if I run it up to temperature without the cap on? Obviously it would only be for a few minutes and I would only be trying to compare the gauge reading with the thermometer.

 

[RickF]

Running with the cap off in the garage will not give you the same temp as running down the road under load.

 

[shadowfever]

The car isn't overheating so I'm not as concerned about the temp while driving as I am about getting some idea as to how accurate the gauge is. Basically, how close is the actual water temp to the reading on the gauge.

 

[RickF]

Running the engine with the cap off will not damage the engine, so give it a try.

 

[shadowfever]

Thank you.