Quote:
Originally Posted by LarryHughes
- If your temperature gauge is acting 'like an idiot light' it is likely that you have a problem in the sensor, gauge, or wiring that needs to be remedied. In my experience, these are reliable and yield repeatable results. Granted it is a single location measurement but this measure can be read with confidence.
It may be my imagination, but I believe I see a slight increase in fuel economy as well - maybe an additional 1 mpg.
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Over the years, we have probably looked at the accuracy of the dash display in the 986, 996, 987, and 997 probably a dozen or more times across many cars, and have only every found a few that were even remotely accurate. The dash display is not only inaccurate, it is non linear in nature, further limiting its accuracy. This is particularly noticeable on cars equipped with aftermarket water temperature gauges which yield completely different results to the dash unit. It is not uncommon to have a car showing around 180F on the dash display actually reading 205-210F in the coolant jacket. And replacing the sensor, or even jumpering from a tested sensor to the dash display does not improve the results one iota. As such, we place little confidence in the reliability or repeatability of the dash display.
Interestingly, dyno testing before and after switching to a 160F stat has also shown a slight mileage and very small but consistent power increase, believed to be the result of better engine efficiency at the lower operational temperatures.