Engine Temperature.

[Michael Donovan]

Can anyone tell me a normal engine temperature gauge reading?
Over winter I've usually had my heater running and the temp, once the car has
warmed up, usually hovers about the half way mark.
I have a 1989/90 1600 manual with Air Con..i.e. A UNOS.
The other weekend I drove to Wellington and I noticed that the temp crawled
right to the right (high) end of the gauge.
I ended up turning on the heater full bore and opening all the windows for a
lot of the trip. It was pretty uncomfortable too, as it was a warm day.
I dont think it has a blown head gasket as there was no blow off of steam or
anything from the radiator, and the oil showed no sign of water in it. Just
wondered how efficient the cooling system is with such a small air vent and
the air con radiator sitting up front of the water cooling radiator?
If the car shouldn't do this then I'll have to start looking at a new
thermostat maybe. The single electric fan for the radiator is functioning fine
as is the other one that comes on when the Air con is on.
Any ideas or similiar experiences appreciated.
Thanks Mike

[Fletcher Blades]

Mike,

A properly functioning cooling system on an MX-5/Eunos will maintain the
half-way needle under all conditions... hot weather, running up steep hills
at 5k RPM and more... always on half-way.

I had a clogged radiator for a while, and it would maintain the halfway gauge
needle around town, and on the open road up to 3.5 or nearly 4k RPM... but as
soon as I went over 4k RPM the needle would slowly rise... so I had to sit
right on 100k, and no overtaking... If I had to climb a hill, the needle
would rise, but it would recover as I coasted down the other side...

Putting the heater on does help, and was a good idea..

First, I'd put in a new thermostat ($12 or so?, and I'd also flush and drain
the radiator... Assuming your water-pump isnt squeaking or leaking, its
probably ok. If you still overheat consider having your radiator cleaned
out... they take off an end-cap and run a rod through the cores... cleaning
out all the crud thats built up over the last ten years... cost me about $70
at Trevor Morris Radiators in Onehunga...

Now my temp gauge stays rock-steady in the middle, no matter what I do...
even 15 minute sessions at Taupo Race track where you wouldnt go below 5k RPM
for the entire 15 mins...

Good luck,

Fletch.

From MattGunn@newstalkzb.co.nz Fri Apr 27 15:56:14 2007
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Subject: RE: Engine Temperature.
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Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2001 07:50:18 +1300
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From: "Matt Gunn" <MattGunn@newstalkzb.co.nz>
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Message-ID: <5eQVhD.A.6N.BVXMGB@L733>

HI THERE
HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. OUT OF NOWHERE TEMP THRU THE ROOF. WATER
LEVELS FINE , THE ENGINE BAY ACTUALLY FELT NO HOTTER THAN USUAL,
THERMOSTAT. COUPLE OF BUCKS , BOBS YA UNCLE.
I'D BE TRYING THAT FIRST.

CHEERS

MADMX5


[Matt Gunn]