temp gauge and highway speed??

[lowtideride]

I made a 6 hour trip in my cruiser not too long ago. on I-95 so i was prob doing around (60-65mph) 2400rpms in about 85-90degree heat for 6 hours with one gas up. So the gauge read lil over half way, when the sun started to dip and it droped a few degrees it fell back down a hair below the half way mark on the temp gauge? does that sound about right or should I check the the cooling system out?

i dont hit the highway too much but at around 50 mph im a lil over 1/4 on the temp gauge.

thanks,
-Al

 

[swank60]

If you generally run at about a 1/4, and saw that much of an increase at highway speeds, it sounds like an obstruction or clogged radiator. Although, what you're seeing isn't an outrageous temp by any means. My 60 always ran at 1/2 and a little over at times until I put in a new thermostat (and I drilled a small hole in it as a fail safe, which makes it run cooler) and radiator. Now I run lower than 1/4 no matter what.

I'd say get one of those Prestone kits and do a backflush, and see what happens from there.

General rule of thumb that I go by as a first guess, when it comes to cooling: if it's hot at highway speeds, it's a flow issue. Hot in stop/go traffic and cooling at speed, it's a fan issue. It's a very general rule though - a starting point.

 

[lowtideride]

in stop and go traffic and on the trails i run about 1/4 on the temp gauge, welll pretty much anything under 50mph...tanks for the info

 

[cahilc]

When I run open on I-95 my temp guage is half to a wee-bit more than half on the scale. This is sustained speed of 70-75 mph, 3000-3250 rpm with AC on.

I've got new rad, new t-stat.

Cheers,
Cahil

P.S. In this range if the engine shuts down quickly (i.e. loose the water pump belt) have a backup plan for cooling. The temp will spike hard and fast. Been there done that. I carry a can of water (~3gallons) to throw on the rad in emergency.

 

[lowtideride]

thanks Cahil,
i carry extra belts and hoses just in case, but i do need to carry a water container. thanks for the reminder.

p.s. i read in one of the latest off road mags that there is somthing you can put in your rad. that acutally stops leaks because they busted a waterpump on the trail and put the crap in. now its been four years since they did that and still dint replace the water pump, but they still have the new one the shelf for when it does go. if only i could remember the name of that crap. it would be a good thing to carry with ya.

 

[cahilc]

Radiator Stop Leak ? Couple of brands out there. Bardahl, Prestone ...

Wouldn't recommend it for long term use. Not a permanent fix in my book but a temporary stop gap measure. However, it is factory fill for most new vehicles ... go figure ...

Cheers,
Cahil

 

[cahilc]

One last thought ...

Do a forum search on "Muriatic Acid". There's a home brew cure for unclogging your radiator. Basically you pull the rad. Plug it and fill it with muriatic acid. Slosh for 10 minutes, drain and refill with acid neutralizer. I haven't tried this myself ... nor do I want you to be my guinea pig for this experiment ... but it's something I might try in the future.

Cheers,
Cahil

 

[fjbj40]

if you are half way you are running at about 190 degrees . I know cause i just installed an auxillary temp gauge in my fj62 and at half way the temp gauge reads 190 , a neddle thickness above 3/4 mark = 210 degrees . Hot I know , but I need a new cooling clutch .
HTH , Daryl

 

[lowtideride]

what is the stock thermo. set at? 190?

 

[fjbj40]

depends , can be a 185 0r 192 thermo . they start opening at about 10 degrees before thier rating and are fully open about 10 after their rating . with my mechanical aux temp gauge i can watch the thermostat opening and closing by the temp fluctuations , pretty neat . When she gets to hot i cycle the heater valve fully open and as soon as I get hot air comoing out of the vents I close the heater valve and look at the temp gauge and you can see it fall about 5-10 degrees .A very worthwhile mod along with the oil press gauge and volt gauge . It was a triple mini kit 1 5/8 inch instruments and came with all appropriate adapters in metric . $60.00 Canadian .
Daryl