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What is normal engine temperature in winter time
What is the normal engine temperature for a 3.0SC and 3.2 Carrera engine during winter time. Thinking of a temperature range between 14 and 50 F.
My engine struggles to reach 185-190 F and only gets up to 158-167 F. with ambient temperatures between 32-41 F. Engine thermostat is ok. Wheel well thermostat does not open so that confirms that oil does not reach 185 F. Engine is run with DRIVEN DT50. That’s a 15W-50 grade oil designed for aircooled Porsche engines. Don’t feel comfortable revving the engine above 4500-5000 unless engine temp is up to 185-190 F. Any thoughts? Cheers Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Last edited by Classic 911; 03-13-2022 at 01:32 PM.. |
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1979 911 SC
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I have a similar issue and I’m curious about how safe it is to wind out if the engine temp never really gets warm even after an hour of driving in colder weather.
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Functionista
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: CO
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Really, those operating temps shouldn’t be an issue. I’m in these cars (2.0-3.6L) every day in Colorado and it hasn’t been an issue with 20W50 or 10W60 oils.
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Jeff 74 911, #3 I do not disbelieve in anything. I start from the premise that everything is true until proved false. Everything is possible. |
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My only concern with colder oil temps is not getting al the moisture out of them through evaporation. I like to have mine 180 or above to make that happen.
Are you sure the thermostats are ok? My car will sit just below the white line for about 90C/194F. At most it's 1 needle width below that no matter the outside temp is. It seems to me that, if the thermostats are working right, the engine thermostat should be partially open to hold temp in the engine. This gives you an idea of where on the gauge it sits, from another Pelican post. ![]()
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Chris - Insta @chrisjbolton 1975 911s Insta: @911ratrod steel wide body, 3.6 conversion 1989 911 Carrera 25th Anniversary Ed (5th from the last car to ever leave the original Porsche factory assembly line) 2001 996 Turbo - ~54k miles |
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When I've driven in those temperatures I'll only get to full operating temp if I start opening up the throttle at mid-range rpms. If you're just cruising down the highway you'll never open up the radiators.
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1982 911SC |
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Join Date: Sep 2001
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FWIW - '88 3.2 - newly acquired in January after largely stored for over a decade. Slowly addressing various needs, but runs solid, and with temps between 30 and 80F in past two months, only once when pushing did the temp get to 194 - the first line. Typically during 30 minute drive at or above the speed limit (let's just call it 80ish), stays at least a needle width below the 194deg line. I'd call that 180ish...
Sounds to me under light driving, your numbers are not abnormal.
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Chris 1988 911 Carrera Targa (driving project started JAN 2022) 1970 911E - Long since gone 1972 911 Targa - gone 1987 911 Carrera - gone Retired FA-18C Driver |
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![]() This looks like a good temp to me... (Actually, throughout winter, my '81 SC's needle typically rests JUST above the white square box at the bottom of the gauge once the car is warmed up.) |
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TeeJay.....side note, what Tach is that?
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Chris - Insta @chrisjbolton 1975 911s Insta: @911ratrod steel wide body, 3.6 conversion 1989 911 Carrera 25th Anniversary Ed (5th from the last car to ever leave the original Porsche factory assembly line) 2001 996 Turbo - ~54k miles |
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My other ride is a C-130J
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Interesting. . . the font of the numbers does appear to be a little different.
What are those warning (idiot) lights indicating?
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1975 911 Targa S 3.0 2000 911 Carrera Cab 2005 Cayenne Titanium Metallic 2022 Mercedes-Benz E450 Coupé 2020 Mercedes-Benz E350 2006 ACG Hummer Previously Owned Art from Stuttgart 2000 Boxster -1983 911 SC Cab -1984 944 N/A |
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Quote:
The oil pressure is at zero, and the rev's are 2,000rpm, not a good sign. |
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Kind of Blue
Join Date: Sep 2010
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It looks like it's slightly past 0, so he's got that going for him, which is nice.
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1971 911T w/ a 2.7 (ITBs, EFI, a bunch of other stuff, 2180 pounds with fuel) 2024 Ford Bronco Raptor |
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Originally Posted by Duc Hunter View Post
TeeJay.....side note, what Tach is that? the tach is from Speed Hut I use them in my Lotus Elan , great gauges, they use a stepper motor , this tach may have a hold last rev engaugd I do not think this engine is running I do agree with Tony. that temp reading is way too high 248* Ian My SC runs just at the top of the lower white box 180*, perfect oil temp
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Kermit, 73 RS clone, Just Part of the Team Chris Leydon ,Louis Baldwin ,Peter Brock ,Riche Clark Jerry Sherman ,Rob McGlade ,Donnie Deal Hank Clarkson ,Craig Waldner ,Don Kean ,Leroy Axel Gains Last edited by icarp; 03-15-2022 at 08:42 AM.. |
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Kind of Blue
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Delaware
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My '89 ran a hair under 180 when cold and a hair over when it's hot. My current 2.7 the same. The front oil cooler loop doesn't ever open unless it's hot hot out.
I would have concerns if it were running much colder.
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1971 911T w/ a 2.7 (ITBs, EFI, a bunch of other stuff, 2180 pounds with fuel) 2024 Ford Bronco Raptor |
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Get off my lawn!
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![]() The first project I ever did for my 911 was to change the oil temp gauge with a numbered one. I have driven my 911 in cold temps. Below freezing and down to zero degrees outside. The engine will never get up 180, no matter how far you drive, at least mine didn't. The good news is the heater kicks butt, and pumps out lots of cold air to keep the passenger compartment warm. In zero degree or -1 it hardly gets off the 120 mark. I had the car in my garage, so it was 45 degrees at the start, but the temp gauge really never moves. I just kept the RPMs less than 4,000 and all was fine. In 20 degree weather after a two hour drive the temps might be 170, but never quite reach 180. I had my tach modified long ago as well to have a voltage meter right in front of my face.
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Glen 49 Year member of the Porsche Club of America 1985 911 Carrera; 2017 Macan 1986 El Camino with Fuel Injected 350 Crate Engine My Motto: I will never be too old to have a happy childhood! |
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i would suggest only one thread on the same issue.
verify the temp gauge is working. how did you verify the engine oil Tstat is good. it could be stuck wide open.
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Yesterday in 75 deg. weather
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Chris 1988 911 Carrera Targa (driving project started JAN 2022) 1970 911E - Long since gone 1972 911 Targa - gone 1987 911 Carrera - gone Retired FA-18C Driver |
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Keep in mind too these cars are old. The ground to the engine could be not great, and that could effect the oil temp and pressure sensors. Same for the grounds behind the dash for the gauges. Lastly, only of my cars read like it was way off (can’t remember if it was to high or too low) for a long time. Turns out the wrong sensor was in the engine, changed that and it read fine.
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Chris - Insta @chrisjbolton 1975 911s Insta: @911ratrod steel wide body, 3.6 conversion 1989 911 Carrera 25th Anniversary Ed (5th from the last car to ever leave the original Porsche factory assembly line) 2001 996 Turbo - ~54k miles |
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Find something else to worry about. Porsche recommends against sustained driving above 5000 rpm while the engine is cold. Sustained.
The internals of your engine are sufficiently up to temperature after about 20 minutes of operation. The oil cooler and oil tank may be cooler, but your main and rod bearings are up to temp.
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Man of Carbon Fiber (stronger than steel) Mocha 1978 911SC. "Coco" |
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I think the OP should stop worrying about this, but I think TeeJayHoward has some stuff to think about. That is not enough oil pressure. I hope your oil pressure gauge is lying, and I wonder what it says at 5000 rpm.
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Man of Carbon Fiber (stronger than steel) Mocha 1978 911SC. "Coco" |
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