Question about water temps [Merged 5-8] temperature coolant running

[dsmtrance]

What is considered getting too hot? I have heard diff. #'s. I ask b/c I noticed that my car got up to 212 at idle last night after a few hard runs (check out my other posts for more info on my car's rebirth!!!). At a "start-up" idle it'll stay between 194-197 though. FYI, I have a 16psi rad cap, 180 deg. therm, 12" 1400cfm rad fan, and a Fluidyne rad. I'm just wondering what would cause it to run hotter at idle like that (didn't before with the RRE kit....has the IRC street kit now). Any ideas???

 

[NJGSX96]

I just logged my 1G on the way home tonight. looks like coolant temps are 195-201, whether cruising, WOT, partial throttle or idling.

I know my 2G gets up to 215-219 now-a-days and higher with the AC on. I am gonna swap in a 180° thermostat this weekend to curb that.

 

[dsmtrance]

I think it may just be that it's pretty hot these days (about 90) and at idle, especially after a few hard runs, with the IRC IC there just is NO way for the radiator to get any air. I mean, you look at the front of the car and you can't even see the damn radiator anymore Driving along it stays between 192-201. And even at "start-up" idle it stays around 194-197. So I think that may be the problem. I think that I may go ahead and cut open the bumper some to aid in getting in some more air. We'll see. Thanks for the input guys.

Blown head gasket, faulty waterpump?

1QWK4, Don't say that after I JUST replaced both! . Trying to give me heart trouble.

 

[NDgsx]

Your fans don't kick until temps get up to around 205 normally. If I remember right isn't the fan switch connector at the bottom of the radiator? When does your fan come on?
You could always get a adjustable fan switch. My friend Shawn Jewett just set one up on his 91awd. It comes with a 3/8npt sender, which just happens to thread perfectly into the spot where the vacuum port is on the thermostat housing. It was jegs part number 771-18907, it's a permacool kit. $59

 

[NDgsx]

If you really want to complete the setup get a 20psi (greddy and blitz make them, nissan caps are the same as ours) thermostat cap and run 20% antifreeze.
You need some antifreeze for corrosion protection on a daily driver. Water transfers heat more efficently than antifreeze. However when you're running less water you also lower the boiling point of the coolant. Voila the higher pressure of the coolant because of the new thermostat cap raises the boiling point. You end up with a happy medium, about the same boiling point and coolant that transfers more heat.
Of course that's for summer only.

Before the mitsu 180 degree thermostat came out I ran a stock 195 with that combo to keep temps in check with my old 221. It worked well for about a week, then my radiator end tank blew up, go figure

 

[Spooling_up]

Could someone give me some info on coolant temps and how they effect performance. Like what should my coolant temperature be and how can I really tell what is at.

 

[Mike 99GSX]

The first thing is: if you really want to know what your temps are then buy an aftermarket gauge because the factory one usually just stays in the middle. I didn't realize that my coolant temps were almost 250F until I installed an aftermarket one. The temps are going to vary according to where you live and the mods you have. FMIC will increase temps a little because they block airflow to the radiator. I have temps normally at 210F. Thats with a FMIC, removed A/C condensor, Fluidyne radiator. If your temps get too high, then your ECU will eventually go into a safe mode and begin to pull timing. Someone else may be able to give you an exact number. Conversely, if your engine isn't up to optimum temp, your ECU will still act in a "safe mode".

 

[1LE]

According to my aftermarket coolant temp gauge, mine's at 83 degrees C, right where the manual says it should be. I do NOT have a FMIC as the car still has A/C and I don't believe that enough air would flow through all 3 for track days.

 

[Turboniam]

Which gauge do you guys recomend for monitoring coolant temps??

 

[Defiant]

Not much to the brand, temperature gauges are pretty low-tech and dependable. Go with the one that looks best to your eye.

Higher temps with a FMIC are as likely to be from the warmer air as the restricted air flow. The radiator on modern cars are over-sized, and cooling is controlled primarily by the thermostat.

 

[Violater101]

2g ECU's will begin pulling 1 degree of timing I believe around 206? and will pull 2 degrees after temps reach 216 if i'm not mistaken. With a FMIC and A/C on/crusing at 80 in 95 degree heat, my temps were 216. I also have a Fluidyne radiator.

 

[Enraged78]

If you have a datalogger, you can use it to monitor and track the engine's coolant sensor. Mine was a few degrees higher than normal (218 degrees), and it threw a CEL. Replaced the thermostat with a Mitsu unit (old one was a generic from previous owner), Bam 203 degrees. With my coolant temp that high, the ECU was pulling timing and adding fuel. After the new thermostat, car behaved better, and got better mileage.

Matt.

 

[ECLIPSE4x4]

Well I logged mine on the way home... it range from 210-213...

Where to we gauge this temp from,? Cruise?

 

[1LE]

Originally posted by Violater101
2g ECU's will begin pulling 1 degree of timing I believe around 206? and will pull 2 degrees after temps reach 216 if i'm not mistaken. With a FMIC and A/C on/crusing at 80 in 95 degree heat, my temps were 216. I also have a Fluidyne radiator.

Wow! I've never seen mine depart from 83C while moving, even while doing a track day in 95 degrees!!! Wasn't using A/C, and don't have an FMIC, but I'm still on a stock radiator and my car isn't exactly slow

 

[90AWDTalon]

Is 170ish too low, thats what I'm getting? The highest I've seen is 178.

 

[Violater101]

With a Big FMIC, your temps will rise considerably. I logged mine driving 70-80mph with the AC on. Without the AC its more like 203 cruising.

 

[peregrine]

most ive seen with the fluidyne on mine is 198*. thats with a huge front mount but no a/c.

 

[90_talon_AWD]

Mine, on a 90 tsi awd, hover at 185 and have been as high as 189 according to TMO datalogger.

 

[BoostinAWD]

I have never gotten higher than 189 degrees. That is sitting at a stop light in 120az heat, with a 4inch thick intercooler.

I dont have an ac condensor though

All I run for coolant is a bottle of water wetter and straight water.

 

[Defiant]

Originally posted by BoostinAWD

All I run for coolant is a bottle of water wetter and straight water.

Good god, get some coolant in there ASAP. You need the anti-electrolysis, waterpump seal lubricant and anti-rust properties. A mix of about 30% antifreeze.

 

[BoostinAWD]

Already included in water wetter

It has all the lubes and corrosion protection stuffs in it.

 

[miragetbo1997cc]

Originally posted by BoostinAWD
I have never gotten higher than 189 degrees. That is sitting at a stop light in 120az heat, with a 4inch thick intercooler.

I dont have an ac condensor though

All I run for coolant is a bottle of water wetter and straight water.

Ditto but the Coolant is 50-50 and in Calif 110Deg and 3 in FMIC.Running a 180 deg Tstat

 

[Defiant]

Originally posted by BoostinAWD
Already included in water wetter

It has all the lubes and corrosion protection stuffs in it.

*whew* okay. I was worried. Is that RedLine?

 

[ECLIPSE4x4]

Originally posted by Defiant
*whew* okay. I was worried. Is that RedLine?

yes watter wetter is made by redline, there is also a product out there a lot use called 40 below. I haven't had any luck. I think the 2G's turn on their fans TOO LATE. I am gonna remove my A/C condensor and see if it helps.

 

[Wobble]

the watter wetter webiste says it DOES NOT contain any corrosive protection, you still need some antifreeze...