How hot do you get?

[iansane]

Since I just bought my first m20 equipped e30 and it doesn't have an actual coolant temp gauge, I've been trying to keep an eye on where it sits 'normally'.

Where does the needle point for you guys?

[CHIF8008]

back side of the middle mark

[Sagaris]

When the ambient temperature is below 60F my car will run 1.5 to 2 needle thicknesses below the 1/2 mark. This is due to removing the A/C condenser

When the ambient temperature is below 90F my car sits at the 1/2 mark or a needle thickness below the 1/2 mark. When the temperature is between 90-100F the car runs at the 1/2 mark and creeps up a needle thickness past the 1/2 mark once I get off the freeway and come to a red light. (I have no aux. fan).

I am thinking of running a thermostat which allows me to run a tad hotter.

[Thehemiman]

Mine sits at 1/4 when its at regular running temp. If I'm sitting in traffic it will creep up though. I need a new fan clutch...

[yert315]

depends. If im going out that night, I get pretty spiffy.


Middle of the gauge.

[djjerme]

I get sexy hot in direct relation to how much beer consumed.

[cabriodster87]

If there were a 1/3 mark, that's where mine averages. If i see it past the 1/2 mark, that would be the first time.

[TurboJake]

Dead center half mark. No deviations once warmed up.

[tAngo.]

mine jumps all over the place...

[Kershaw]

just shy of 1/2. there really is no standard for this.

just a standard for what your car does.

[iansane]

Seems to be a pretty good spread for how hot. Has anyone figured a correlation to what's indicated on the idiot gauge vs actual temperature?

Mine seems to get pretty warm (as in the upper half all the time and sometimes even the upper 3/4) but I'm not sure the cooling system is completely burped yet. I had left the clutch fan off for a few days while I figured a way to get a proper sized spanner on the nut and it actually seemed to run colder w/o the fan. Never left the half mark.

[stillkotd]

Mine is almost always right at the 1/2 mark. If I drive hard and then wait at a stop light it might creep up half a needle width or so, but I've never seen it any hotter than that.

[rodpaine]

Seems to be a pretty good spread for how hot. Has anyone figured a correlation to what's indicated on the idiot gauge vs actual temperature?

Temperature Gauge approximate degrees F

[BlueIX]

Prior to having my timing belt, water pump, radiator and thermostat replaced I'd start creeping past the half way mark when stopped in traffic and the temperature was 80+ degrees. Now the car pretty much stays below the halfway mark,

[iansane]

Temperature Gauge approximate degrees F

Thanks!