Temperature too low on 84 TE ?
Discussion
After having covered about 1100 miles in my 'new' 84 TE, I worry about the temperature. During a drive (cold start) the temperature quickly climbs up to 60 degrees; then it falls back to 50 degrees and in the next 10-15 minutes it climbs back to about 67 degrees where it remains if I drive the car constantly at 3500 rpm on the highway (outside temperature about 8 degrees); is this too cold ? what could be the problem? The thermostat appears to function taking into account the movement of the gauge, and it has been checked by a mechanic by putting it in a bucket of boiling water.
radiator has recently been refurbished; after which it appears to run even colder. If I leave the car running idle, the temp goes to 90 degrees in about 10 minutes after which the fans start working.
I'm afraid I might damage the engine, so any help would by appreciated.
Kind regards,
Marc
radiator has recently been refurbished; after which it appears to run even colder. If I leave the car running idle, the temp goes to 90 degrees in about 10 minutes after which the fans start working.
I'm afraid I might damage the engine, so any help would by appreciated.
Kind regards,
Marc
Marc - I had a similar problem with my 1995 S4. I took it my local lotus dealer for another fault which eventaully lead to the lamba sensor being replaced. Although I don't think this should effect the temperature, hey presto, the car now gets up to 90 deg. pretty quick and stays there however I drive.
Hi,
No lamda sensor on an '84. Marc- One possibility is that the voltage stabilizer has either gone south or isn't grounding properly. Are you having difficulty with your fuel level readings as well? The voltage stabilizer is located inside the binnacle. If the ground is poor, give the binnacle a good rap with the palm of your hand on the side which is to the tranny tunnel. You should see the gauge respond if the ground is poor, if the unit is gone away, the temp and the fuel gauges will top out. Very cheap part, but a nasty bugger to swap out.
Another likely possibility is an incorrect 'T'stat or that the 'T'stat has been located improperly inside the housing. Make sure there is a 'weep hole' in the base of the 'T'stat and that this 'weep hole' is situated just over the temp sensor, if not, your readings can be innaccurate.
As a final check, remove the reservoir cap, start the car and let it idle. Using a meat baster, remove any overflow if it occurs. Watch the coolant level, it will drop once the 'T'stat opens and then rise as all the coolant heats and expands. If you have a thermometer, you can immerse it in the coolant and record the temp for comparison with the gauge. Hope this helps. Happy Motoring!... Jim'85TE
No lamda sensor on an '84. Marc- One possibility is that the voltage stabilizer has either gone south or isn't grounding properly. Are you having difficulty with your fuel level readings as well? The voltage stabilizer is located inside the binnacle. If the ground is poor, give the binnacle a good rap with the palm of your hand on the side which is to the tranny tunnel. You should see the gauge respond if the ground is poor, if the unit is gone away, the temp and the fuel gauges will top out. Very cheap part, but a nasty bugger to swap out.
Another likely possibility is an incorrect 'T'stat or that the 'T'stat has been located improperly inside the housing. Make sure there is a 'weep hole' in the base of the 'T'stat and that this 'weep hole' is situated just over the temp sensor, if not, your readings can be innaccurate.
As a final check, remove the reservoir cap, start the car and let it idle. Using a meat baster, remove any overflow if it occurs. Watch the coolant level, it will drop once the 'T'stat opens and then rise as all the coolant heats and expands. If you have a thermometer, you can immerse it in the coolant and record the temp for comparison with the gauge. Hope this helps. Happy Motoring!... Jim'85TE
wipper said:
Marc - I had a similar problem with my 1995 S4. I took it my local lotus dealer for another fault which eventaully lead to the lamba sensor being replaced. Although I don't think this should effect the temperature, hey presto, the car now gets up to 90 deg. pretty quick and stays there however I drive.
Thanks guys,
Jim, the fuel gauge appears to work fine so far; what would a correct temperature be running 3500 rpm on a highway ?
I fear the gauge works fine because when running idle the fans kick in when the temperature reaches 90 degrees. So I'll have the thermostat rechecked. The mechanic mentioned this as an expensive part because it needed to be replaced complete with the housing (unlike later models); does this make sense ?
Can I damage the engine running it at 67 degrees for longer periods ?
Thanks in advance !
Marc
Jim, the fuel gauge appears to work fine so far; what would a correct temperature be running 3500 rpm on a highway ?
I fear the gauge works fine because when running idle the fans kick in when the temperature reaches 90 degrees. So I'll have the thermostat rechecked. The mechanic mentioned this as an expensive part because it needed to be replaced complete with the housing (unlike later models); does this make sense ?
Can I damage the engine running it at 67 degrees for longer periods ?
Thanks in advance !
Marc
marcvv said:
Thanks guys,
Jim, the fuel gauge appears to work fine so far; what would a correct temperature be running 3500 rpm on a highway ?
I fear the gauge works fine because when running idle the fans kick in when the temperature reaches 90 degrees. So I'll have the thermostat rechecked. The mechanic mentioned this as an expensive part because it needed to be replaced complete with the housing (unlike later models); does this make sense ?
Can I damage the engine running it at 67 degrees for longer periods ?
Thanks in advance !
Marc
Marc,
You may need to get a new mechanic. The 'T'stat on these cars is ridiculously inexpensive and can be had even less expensively as a chevy cross referenced part.
The car can run very cool once underway in cool climates, after about mid-October here in Minnesota, my fans rarely kick-in at all so long as I am cruising.
The car should run in the 90-100 degree celsius range, but realize that this is pressurised. I am unconvinced that the temp readings are accurate because even with a faulty 'T'stat, which you may also have, eventually the system will heat up to the range specified above. Hope this helps. Happy Motoring!...Jim'85TE
Gassing Station | Esprit | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff