I know this should be the mechanical and maintenace forum.. but I wanted all gen bonne'* to see this.

What temp should my car be running at? Because I see a lot of 92-99 bonne'* running 190'* and mine never goes above 125. I put in a new 180F thermostat, but have yet to run the engine with it. Is this normal? If so, why do the newer gen bonneville'* run higher temps?


-justin

With a stock t-stat, your temperature gage (on instrument cluster) should indicate just a smidgeon below or right at 200 degrees. It appears as if you have a fault in the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor. That engine can't really be operating at 125 degrees.

okay, I knew that couldn't be right. So, what do I do about it? The old thermostat looked okay, it didn't seem to be open.. looked closed to me. As far as the temp sesor, where is it, how much to replace, and why did it fail? Because the car has been like this for a long while.. several years at least.


-justin

The sensor should be in the lower intake manifold, just below the TB. Shouldn't be much to replace, either, but the gauge may also be suspect.

y the gauge???

You're kidding me, right?

His gauge never goes above 125°. Gauges are mechanical. 3 possibilities are the ECT (which can be checked), the wiring (which can be checked), and the gauge (cluster).

naw jus curious thats all

Well, the new cluster may tell. That is true because the old cluster had some problems. If the temp still doesn't change, I should go after the temp sensor then right? maybe between the new cluster, and the new thermostat it may fix itself.


-justin

Your service manual should have the ohms/temp comparison to check your ECT. You can remove it and test it on the stove in hot water with an ohmmeter.

That would mean i'd have to take out the sensor right? If I can get one for >$10, I may as well go for it, not like it'd be the first thing on the car to break.


-justin