- Mon Sep 08, 2014 4:41 pm
#348548
That's not quite true. The gaps reduce efficiency but the air doesn't stop in front of the radiator and go all the way to the gap. Most of it still goes through the radiator just fine. It certainly wouldn't cause overheating.
Secondly, you're not overheating. You're freaking out because you haven't had a temp gauge very long. If you were overheating, your OEM gauge would go up. Your overflow tank would have bubbles shooting out of it.
The fan doesn't come on at 180, it comes on at 203 F. The thermostat is fully open at 195. 200 is operating temperature. The OEM gauge is dampened so it never moves unless there is a serious problem. The manufacturer knows that if the gauge moved a lot, people would freak out as you are now. They don't even trust us with an accurate fuel gauge! (the halfway mark is actually 3/4 of the tank)
A real gauge will show that the temperature rises and falls. This is normal. When the car is moving, air is being forced through the radiator. When you stop at a light, you begin to heat soak until the fan comes on. Any time you put heavy load on the motor, the temperature will go up, and it will drop back down again when you're cruising.
It's been a long time since I had a temp gauge but I know that 200 ish is normal. Your oil temp is also 200 ish. Don't freak.
Secondly, you're not overheating. You're freaking out because you haven't had a temp gauge very long. If you were overheating, your OEM gauge would go up. Your overflow tank would have bubbles shooting out of it.
The fan doesn't come on at 180, it comes on at 203 F. The thermostat is fully open at 195. 200 is operating temperature. The OEM gauge is dampened so it never moves unless there is a serious problem. The manufacturer knows that if the gauge moved a lot, people would freak out as you are now. They don't even trust us with an accurate fuel gauge! (the halfway mark is actually 3/4 of the tank)
A real gauge will show that the temperature rises and falls. This is normal. When the car is moving, air is being forced through the radiator. When you stop at a light, you begin to heat soak until the fan comes on. Any time you put heavy load on the motor, the temperature will go up, and it will drop back down again when you're cruising.
It's been a long time since I had a temp gauge but I know that 200 ish is normal. Your oil temp is also 200 ish. Don't freak.
