what "normal" operating range for the temp gauge

[pelotudo]

going from my e36 to e30 has gotten me quite paranoid, especially since these have a somewhat actual gauge instead of the dummy gauge in the e36. it literally never moves unless all hell is breaking loose for something.

question though is, what is the normal "range" that your temp gauge likes to fluctuate in? as long as its between the middle bars is it okay? i ask because mine will sometimes dip right under the exact middle mark, but most of the time it's just slightly over center and in traffic it will move up to almost touching the right middle bar.

in the last two weeks the water pump, thermo and hoses have been replaced. im good on coolant and just bled it again with nothing but coolant/water flowing out continuously.

[Adrian_Visser]

Well you may have several problems there. The temp needle on alot of these 20+ year old gauges jumps around a bit so it can account for some error.

However if it is going all the way up to the 3/4 mark and only does it when you are sitting at a stand still in traffic I would suspect that the fan clutch is probably worn out.

Check the fan clutch by sticking a rolled up newspaper into the fan while the engine is warm and running, it should have resistance and not stop very easily.

You never did mention what engine you have. M42's tend to run fairly cool and from what I've read many seem to sit at about the 1/4 mark on the gauge all day long.

[pelotudo]

running on a m20. ill check the fan clutch tomorrow.

[jlevie]

In my experience normal range for the the needle of the temp gage when a stock thermostat (80C) is used and when the cooling system is operating properly is a bit more than a needle's width above and below the mid point.

[navyslideby]

ive got an m20 and my gauge stays right on if not just barely past the left mark but mine is turbo so idk

[pelotudo]

thanks guys. it looks like it ended up being the temp gauge nut after all.

i checked the fan clutch via rolled up newspaper this morning and i couldn't slow the fan at all. i went ahead and bled a couple more times, topped off the coolant then pulled the gauge cluster. the nut didn't seem like it was very loose, but just enough to where it was barely finger tight. i tightened it up along with the fuel gauge and put it back together.

now instead of being between 1/2 and 3/4, its sitting right in the middle of the 1/4 and 1/2 mark. when i sit idle for 10-20mins it gets right up to the 1/2 mark. hasn't crested over the 1/2 mark though even after letting it idle for 20mins or so in 95 degree weather. i kept checking the overflow and it doesn't appear to be boiling over or getting abnormally hot. it still will cool down just slightly if i hold the revs up though. a little weary of it as i hate not being 100% sure the gauge is lying to me or not.

will probably end up taking her by my mechanics shop tomorrow and see if he can throw a gauge on it.