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Old 11-08-2010, 07:49 AM
Brian Carlton Brian Carlton is offline
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: Blue Point, NY
Posts: 25,396
Quote:
Originally Posted by marybeth View Post
My question -at at idle up to 45-50MPH the temp guage sits steady at 85C. However on the highway at 65-70MPH the temp gauge is at 90C. (No AC or heat on in both cases)
The engine works quite hard at 70 mph and is running at 3000 rpm. It generates a fair amount of heat. The only way for the engine to increase coolant flow is for the thermostat to open a bit more.

The only way for the thermostat to open a bit more is for the engine temperature to rise a bit.

Many of these engines run all day at 90-95°C. without any ill effects. Chasing this ghost is usually non-productive for most.

My '84 decided to run at about 96°C. a few years ago without any obvious culprit. I did change the 'stat with no benefit. The radiator was also changed a couple of years later due to leaks. No change. I suspect the gauge but I'm not chasing it down.
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