2L-TE TEMP.

[Gun Runner 5]

Is there anyone out there operating the LJ78 / 2L-TE in a hot and humid climate ( temps above 30c ) and if so can you tell me what kind of water temps you are experiencing at road speeds?
Thanks........1978HJ45

 

[Gun Runner 5]

For those of you who are kind enough to reply to my request, it would be useful to know what thermostat you are running ( 88c, 82c etc.) Thanks..............................1978HJ45

 

[Gun Runner 5]

I guess I should have been a little more clear in my thread. I recently replaced my factory temp. gauge with a good aftermarket gauge and I am seeing temps ranging from 195 degree (F) to as high as 215 degrees (F). We are in the middle of our Summer and are seeing ambient temps exceeding 100 degrees (F). This is my first experience with a turbo diesel and I am just trying to get a feel for what is normal and at what point I should start to worry. Thanks.................1978HJ45

 

[pradocruzer]

The out side temps where I live are no where near as hot as your area but here is what mine dose in the middle of our hot summer (around 25-30 Deg c). Whith the original 88c t-stat the engine ran at 190 deg f on the flats and half way up hills would reach 200 deg f then at the top of the hill it would be 205 deg f and would start to cool off on the down side of the hill. I didn't let it get more then 205 deg f. This went on for two years and then I installed an 82 deg t-stat. On the flats I see 175-180 deg f ,185 deg f half way up hills, 190 deg f at the top. I also run a high quality temp gauge (Prosport) recommended to me by a member on this sight. Thanks once again. I put the temp sending unit before the t-stat trying to gain the most accurate head coolant temp. The gauge also has an alarm built in and a push max recorded temp button which says 194 deg f as of this morning. This stays in memory until the battery power is lost. When I first owned the 2lte I did all the servicing and put in a new 88 deg c t-stat. What I had noticed was that the factory and after market temp gauge was all over the place. I had pulled over several times and used a hand held lazer temp gauge and what I found was that the lower rad hose was much cooler telling me the t-stat wasn't fully open. After a hard hill climb the lower rad hose was nice and hot and the fluctuation in coolant temp seemed to be more controlled. My conclusion was that the heat generator (2lte) created heat faster on hills then the t-stat could open fully giving high spikes in temp and on the down hill side the t-stat would cool off enough to slightly close right before the next hill started. Then came the 82 deg f t-stat. The lower rad hose became hot on only slight loads and the factory and after market temp gauge was way more stable. This told me the t-stat was fully open at the bottom of hills. I have opened my exhaust, added an inter-cooler, increased the boost, computer fuel mod, and changed the t-stat. The rad is original.

Hope this helps. Take care

 

[Gun Runner 5]

I appreciate the detailed description. I am currently running a 88 degree (C) t/stat but have a 82 (C) on order. I too see a decrease in temp. on the back side of the hill and when I am stopped at a traffic light the temp. will drop down to approximately 190 degrees (F). My temps however range far higher than yours ( 190 to 215 F ) which I hope is a result of the higher ambient temps. My radiator has been recored and I assume ( perhaps foolishly ) that if it had issues it would manifest itself with prolonged idleing which it does not. Hopefully the new t/stat will relieve some of my worries because we will not cool down until mid September. Again thanks...................1978HJ45
( If you get a long weekend, drive down to Nevada or Arizona, monitor your temps. and email me back)

 

[everbret]

Where did you order the 82 C thermostat from? I'm going to be putting Evans coolant in in a few weeks and it would be nice to replace the thermostat as well.

cheers

 

[Gun Runner 5]

The t/stat was ordered from "Rocky Mountain Imports" in Western Canada. The 180 degree (F) t/stat is designed for a different engine but will fit the 2L-TE. I am also running Evans coolant which gives me some piece of mind. If the new t/stat does not cool the engine down I will be replacing the radiator next. Take care............1978HJ45