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Testing Temp Sender

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bigjones

bigjones

Jedi Warrior
Offline
Here's a pic after idling for about 30 mins (during a tune-up seession).
TempGauge.jpg

Notice where the temp needle is. This is normally where it is, even after an hour of driving.
I'm thinking I need to test the sender in some boiling water. Whereabouts on the gauge would 100 deg C correspond to do you think?

Cheers
 
My guess? 100c about where the filled line starts just my guess. My guess would be that straight down would be 190f 87 c That would be normal rite?
 
If you look close, you will see 2 tiny dots, one on each side of the solid white line near the 'H' SIDE.
The first tiny dot is 212* and that is where you want the needle with the probe in boiling water. (at sea level :wink:
Many times the needle sticks to the cardboard ring inside the gauge.
The needle pulls straight off, use a fork or something to lever it off so you don't bend it.
Put it back on where the dot is when the water boils. Do not let the probe hit the side of the pot.
 
Of course... if you have put a 160oF thermostat in... your needle position looks about right. 212oF is located as mentioned above and straight down should be 185oF

You can put a bit of black tape on the thermostat housing and measure the temperature of the tape and the radiator header tank with an infrared thermometer to see how measurements there compare to your gauge.

For comparison, the link below is to a dual gauge with its face calibrated in degrees:
https://jollyrogersmotors.com/files/IMG_0701.JPG
 
Chris - looks like your guess is about right.

Spritenut - wow - never noticed any dots there - I'll take a good look tomorrrow - also thanks for the tips regarding calibration.

Doug - I think you have hit the nail on the head - the thermostat is what was in the car when I got it so I don't know the rating.

Big question is - is 160F a good enough temperature for the engine or should I install a 185F thermostat.

Cheers all!
 
I was close! So now I know what the dots are about calibration reference pionts I thought it was a flaw on the face! must be the same for the speedo too.Good info Spritenut know what value they reference to on the Tach and speedo?
 
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