Normal Engine/Oil Tempreture Readings

[martinb930]

Can someone tell me if running warm at 200-205 for a 3.2L is within normal range?

Thanks

[ael911]

I think you are fine as I was told anything from 190 to 210 is normal and optimal. My car runs about the same and 210 on really hot days or on the track.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

As I remember, 180 degrees is normal (thermostat just open, normal cruise, moderate ambient temperatures). 210 is still just fine if it's a hot day or you're running pretty hard, 210-250 is what you might get in track use if you need another oil cooler, and 250 is flat too hot.

[DW SD]

Martin,
Make sure your front cooler is operable at that temp (in other words the thermostate is wide open). Touch both cooler lines somewhere between the rear wheel and front cooler. I know you have rocker covers, so I don't know if you can reach in behind and touch.

The external thermostat should be wide open at that temp.

With both lines hot, this would indicate the cooling system is working. Note, one will be hotter than the other as the return from the cooler should be a reduced temp.

Doug

[Flieger]

Sounds a bit warm to me. I run ~180F, 185F if I am really pushing it.

I have a 2.7 liter MFI RS spec with a front mounted oil cooler (radiator style)
The thermostat opens around 180F so this is the normal cruise temperature. I actually am thinking of blocking off some airflow because I think I am running a little too cool., seriously, though

[rusnak]

martin I would not be surprised if you have crushed oil lines along the right side of the car. It's best to check them by running your finger along the entire length or use a really strong flashlight to check the diameter along the entire length of the oil line. If they are crushed, the best thing really is to replace them.

[GothingNC]

The oil temp gauge in my SC usualy runs a little below the 1st hash mark (about 185) in the cooler weather and about 200 in the summer when it's above 85 degrees outside.

Sometimes it goes up to about 220-225 if I am stuck in summer traffic (9:00).

The compression is bumped up to about 9.8 and have the elephant oil lines, Carrera front oil cooler and both thermostats were replaced by the previous owner. Next project is to notch the bottom of the front bumper for more airflow

I switched to Brad Penn and it is running a few degrees cooler.

[KFC911]

What John said applies to my 3.2. When up to temperature, the guage is around the 1st hash mark most days (slightly below in winter, over in summer). Only on the very hottest days when I'm pushing her hard, sitting in traffic (rare), etc. does she ever approach the 9:00 position (and that's pretty rare too), and never beyond.

[84_Carrera]

John, thanks for the picture! I had the number equivalents written down somewhere before, but lost them. Is it possible for the 3.2L t-stat to get stuck open?

My '84 runs cool, consistently. My temps get around 160 during most 30-minute drives, & stay there. Only on hot days / fun runs do my temps get over to maybe the 210 area, but it usually takes awhile to get there, leading me to believe the oil's getting cooled when it shouldn't be? How long does one's oil take to get to say the 90 deg. C line during normal commuting, shifting below 4k rpms, at a... say 70-75 degree day?

I'm only concerned because I've seen some condensation (white gook) in the oil on the drain plug in the tank. My normal runs are 20-30 minutes minimum, few "run for coffee" outings that don't last that long.

Thanks guys.

[SC-targa]

My 82 SC, which is stock except for a 28 tube front cooler replacing the trombone cooler, normally runs just above the 90 degree C mark (The Blue line indicated) on my 30 mile morning commute.

In the afternoon, the temps usually run a little higher, especially in traffic, (the Yellow line).



On a recent 95+ degree day, with the AC on and running in traffic the temps got close to the indicated 120 degree C mark (The Red line).

I was a bit worried, so splashed water on the front oil cooler to see how hot it really was. There was a small amount of boiling, indicating a temperature over 212 degrees F, but mostly the water slowly evaporated off. There was no way the oil in the front cooler was near 250 degrees F.

I dunked a thermocouple in the oil tank and I got a 190 - 195 F reading.

Since the in dash temp gauge reads the oil temp after it passes through another oil cooler, I don't think I've got much to worry about.

I do need to see about calibrating my oil temp gauge though.

(I calibrated my thermocouple in both ice water and boiling water to make sure I could count on my oil tank readings. It was pretty close to accurate)

Regards,

Jerry