Normal Operating Temperature

[racer12306]

I have an Impala for my work car (see below) and never thought anything of the engine temp as the gauge never looked weird.

Couple months ago I picked up a bluetooth OBD and bought the Torque Pro app for my phone/tablet, started playing around with it and now I'm worried.

Cruzing down the highway at 70mph with air temp in the 30s, I am seeing upwards of 226*. Pulling a few good hills in NW PA yesterday peaked up to 230*. If I sit and idle down for a bit0 the temp drops into the 216-219 area.

I called the dealer and asked for normal temp range and they said in the 220s.

Everything else looks normal, just had a leaky water pump replaced. I confirmed it is full. I was experiencing these kind of temps before the water pump replacement so I am not leaning towards an air bubble in the system.

These temps seem way too high for normal everyday use. The temps do not fluctuate a lot once they get up there.

Any I crazy or is there something wrong with the car?

 

[Donald]

Seems high. What temp is the thermostat?

 

[Chris142]

I could see 230 in august in the desert. With your 30 degree temp it should be around 200.

 

[bigjl]

An engine will create more heat when under load and less when ticking over.

The temperatures you are seeing are coolant temperatures I suspect.

The reason why your temp guage is slightly dumbed down is to prevent owners being concerned with minor movements that are normal.

 

[racer12306]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Seems high. What temp is the thermostat?


Per Rock Auto and Advance Auto, it's a 185*

Originally Posted By: Chris142
I could see 230 in august in the desert. With your 30 degree temp it should be around 200.


That's about what I was thinking, climbing the hills I could see it even going up to 210* but settling back down.

 

[slug_bug]

1. Is the radiator blocked by debris, leaves, etc.?
2. Is the coolant/water ratio correct? Perhaps it was refilled
with straight coolant after the water pump repair?
3. Might try "Water Wetter" as a quick fix.
4. Next step I'd try is replacing the thermostat

 

[Roadkingnc]

Are you looking at cylinder head temp or coolant temp, two different readings. A lot of new fords use cylinder head temp sensors

 

[V8man]

Originally Posted By: racer12306
I have an Impala for my work car (see below) and never thought anything of the engine temp as the gauge never looked weird.

Couple months ago I picked up a bluetooth OBD and bought the Torque Pro app for my phone/tablet, started playing around with it and now I'm worried.

Cruzing down the highway at 70mph with air temp in the 30s, I am seeing upwards of 226*. Pulling a few good hills in NW PA yesterday peaked up to 230*. If I sit and idle down for a bit0 the temp drops into the 216-219 area.

I called the dealer and asked for normal temp range and they said in the 220s.

Everything else looks normal, just had a leaky water pump replaced. I confirmed it is full. I was experiencing these kind of temps before the water pump replacement so I am not leaning towards an air bubble in the system.

These temps seem way too high for normal everyday use. The temps do not fluctuate a lot once they get up there.

Any I crazy or is there something wrong with the car?


I think you have an Air Bubble in the system.

 

[racer12306]

Originally Posted By: slug_bug
1. Is the radiator blocked by debris, leaves, etc.?
2. Is the coolant/water ratio correct? Perhaps it was refilled
with straight coolant after the water pump repair?
3. Might try "Water Wetter" as a quick fix.
4. Next step I'd try is replacing the thermostat


1. Checked it this morning and everything looks good on that end.
2. I can only assume that it is. It's a good shop so I trust they did it right.
3. I'd rather fix than quick fix (especially since I won't be paying the tab

)
4. That is where I'm thinking.

Originally Posted By: Roadkingnc
Are you looking at cylinder head temp or coolant temp, two different readings. A lot of new fords use cylinder head temp sensors


I am reading the coolant temp sensor.

Originally Posted By: V8man
Originally Posted By: racer12306
Snip

Everything else looks normal, just had a leaky water pump replaced. I confirmed it is full. I was experiencing these kind of temps before the water pump replacement so I am not leaning towards an air bubble in the system.

Snip


I think you have an Air Bubble in the system.


Any reason why you think this? If the temps were lower before and then higher after the water pump change, I'd be 100% on board with this theory.



One additional piece I should mention is...

I just completed a 1000 mile trip from Baltimore to Syracuse through Rochester and Buffalo then down to Jamestown and then back to Baltimore. With the exception of the actual temp value, nothing looked or acted weird.

 

[V8man]

Originally Posted By: racer12306
Any reason why you think this?


My mistake, went back and reread your original post, just curious, what brand of oil are you using in this vehicle.

Is your Air Dam in the front damaged in any way?

I believe the Coolant Temp Sensor is in the Cylider Head, do you happen to have an Infrared Gun?

 

[Trav]

The OBD II is probably reading a different sensor than the gauge.
Its common for the PCM to read one in one location and the gauge to read one in another spot.

If the PCM is reading a sensor in the head for example it will be higher than one being used by the gauge located in the thermostat housing.

I think your probably okay. Do the electric fans come on at the normal area going by the gauge?

 

[racer12306]

I have no idea what brand of oil is being used in it. My hands are a little tied in terms of servicing the vehicle since it's a company owned car. So I just take it to my favorite place and say change the oil.

I don't believe the air dam is damaged, but I will take a closer look at that.

I do have a nice Fluke mini 62 that hardly ever gets used. (Good thing I looked at it just now, it's due for calibration in the beginning of May) I can do some measurements after the drive home today. Any specific points to read?



I meant to pop the hood when I got to work this morning and check for the fans, but I forgot. I'll do that when I get home.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Make sure the rad hoses arent soft - they can collapse and inhibit flow.

 

[KrisZ]

Crack open the windows and put the heater on full blast. If the temperature drops and stays that way that means there is not enough cooling capacity in the system. Could be low coolant level, collapsing hoses or a blockage somewhere.

 

[Clevy]

So the dealer stated that normal temp should be in the 220s,which you are at 223, and it peaks going uphill at 230.
The car is fine. Stop stressing.
Or take it in if it makes you feel better,its not on your dime.
Sometimes more info isn't better. Armed with information some people are their own worst enemies.
My bike sees cylinder head temps of 330 and oil temps of 260 when stopped in traffic,and I learned those are normal temps. Your car is experiencing basically normal temps. Not each engine is identical and there will be some margin up or down. It's not like those temps are beyond what the oil can handle and on the open road you are only at 223, which the dealer said is right.
Just drive

 

[mechtech2]

That is hot for a single stage thermostat at cruise.
Cars DO run hotter now for better efficiency,but with a 185in there, I'd keep digging. Maybe another tester.
A water pump pulley may be slipping, or it's impeller faulty [inside].

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: Clevy
So the dealer stated that normal temp should be in the 220s,which you are at 223, and it peaks going uphill at 230.
The car is fine. Stop stressing.
Or take it in if it makes you feel better,its not on your dime.
Sometimes more info isn't better. Armed with information some people are their own worst enemies.
My bike sees cylinder head temps of 330 and oil temps of 260 when stopped in traffic,and I learned those are normal temps. Your car is experiencing basically normal temps. Not each engine is identical and there will be some margin up or down. It's not like those temps are beyond what the oil can handle and on the open road you are only at 223, which the dealer said is right.
Just drive



Right on the money. Too much info problem, not a car issue.

Early models of my car had the gauge recalibrated as owners got concerned over nothing.

230 is just fine and not too hot. And as stated by Trav, there are 2 different temp sensors. If you read the radiator outlet it would be much cooler.

No way that car shipped with a 185 thermostat either. At least 195 or more stock.

 

[racer12306]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Originally Posted By: Clevy
So the dealer stated that normal temp should be in the 220s,which you are at 223, and it peaks going uphill at 230.
The car is fine. Stop stressing.
Or take it in if it makes you feel better,its not on your dime.
Sometimes more info isn't better. Armed with information some people are their own worst enemies.
My bike sees cylinder head temps of 330 and oil temps of 260 when stopped in traffic,and I learned those are normal temps. Your car is experiencing basically normal temps. Not each engine is identical and there will be some margin up or down. It's not like those temps are beyond what the oil can handle and on the open road you are only at 223, which the dealer said is right.
Just drive



Right on the money. Too much info problem, not a car issue.

Early models of my car had the gauge recalibrated as owners got concerned over nothing.

230 is just fine and not too hot. And as stated by Trav, there are 2 different temp sensors. If you read the radiator outlet it would be much cooler.

No way that car shipped with a 185 thermostat either. At least 195 or more stock.



I certainly understand the too much info problem. I should have never plugged that OBD reader in, then I wouldn't think much of it.

I thought 185* seemed low, just going by what the parts stores list as OEM replacement.



I do have more information after this mornings drive:
- upper rad hose is firm
- ran with the heat on and it stayed steady around 217-219*
- got to work and sat in the parking lot for a bit. idled down with the heat on to 208* then flipped it over to cold and it quickly rose to 217*

 

[SteveSRT8]

^^^Despite what you may have heard, the temps you are indicating are great for fuel economy and long engine life. Heat is great for everything but power and responsiveness in a stock engine 90% of the time as they are designed and calibrated for it.

No harm, no foul. I would think you may have a 205 degree tstat in there, my car shipped with a 203 stock!

 

[meep]

agreement with Steve SRT8. I can't imagine that car coming with 185, though it may fit. 195 and 205 are pretty common.

The range of fluctuation is very normal. The average, could be just fine depending on where the temp is read from. it is a little high for what I'd consider "normal" but we don't know much about what the sender is getting.

The only worry I'd have is if it's reading in a restricted-flow area. If the coolant is 205, the metal surrounding it is 220. If it's by design, all good. But if the flow is constricted, then the difference will be less. If worried, check for gunk/debris, and bubble purge.

Now, if the temp swings get more dramatic in the summer, then something is likely up. reverse-direction pump vanes, messed up pump....