Running Temp.

[SouthOz]

Hi Guys and Gals.
I went for my first drive towing after fitting my watch dog to my 300TDI. With a loaded 6x4 going up a long hill the temp got to 92 and sat there. It was about 20 outside. The OEM temp gauge didnt move from its normal position so I guess its always run at this temp when towing up hills, I just didnt know it.
So my question is, is this the normal temp or do I have a problem?
Dave

[d@rk51d3]

Sounds ok to me.

[kreecha]

Southoz,

I too have a TM2 combine fitted to my Disco.

On a recent drive from Adelaide to Darwin up the Stuart Hwy, the temp did not rise above 88degC the entire distance. Once I got to Darwin and did some low-range work the highest i have seen is 91degC.

Therefore 92degC towing a trailer up a hill does not raise any alarms with me.

In fact I have my alarm set at 95degC.

Cheers.

[SouthOz]

Thanx d@rk51d3 and kreecha, sets my mind at ease. Mine alarm is set at 95 deg c as well. Might be interesting in summer with the van on.

Dave

[omvanders]

You can go a whole lot warmer than that if needed for short periods. I'm towing a Cub Camper at the moment and it's nothing for the gauge to climb up to 100 or so momentarily on long inclines, which is fine when you know you're near the crest and can back off and let thngs cool almost immediately. The factory gauge hasn't shifted in the slightest when the alarm goes off on the very odd occasion (I have mine set at 106), remembering that the coolant only boils at 127 (not that I would want to go near that!).

As I understand it - from the comments of those much more knowledgable than me - be wary of towing in top gear (mine's an auto) up long inclines when you might be better off dropping back to 3rd and allow the engine to rev out a little more but at the same time save the engine from high egt readings and auto trans stress.

There's plenty of discussion about this sort of stuff in previous threads... as I said from people with much more nous than me on such things.

Cheers

OMV

[SouthOz]

Thanx omvanders, yep I always pull it out of top and usually sit it on 3k. It just seems happy at those revs. Mines an auto as well. Good to hear I have a few deg. up my sleeve if I need it, pity I havnt got a few HP up there as well. I might have to have a look at the fuel pump mod.

Dave

[omvanders]

Fit an upgraded intercooler and then tweak your pump... much better performance. In my case I I figured it had been tweaked too much by the dyno mob as it was overfuellng a heap of black smoke going up Willunga Hill so i had it wound back a little... helps those egt's no end so I'm told.

[Discovery-94]

remembering that the coolant only boils at 127

....just wondering regarding possible difference between watchdog temp reading and actual coolant temperature?
Have you guys got your sensor on the block or on the head?
Has anyone made a test if/how the reading differs?
Also since the reading is of the block (or head), anyone thinking that the actual coolant temperature would be much different to that?
--- and would the temperature in the engine bay influence the reading much? (i.e. on a hot day with a heated up engine bay, could the coolant be flowing happily 5 degrees or so lower than the reading??)

Sorry for the hijacking... have been wondering this for a while ;)

[SouthOz]

Ive put my sender on one of the bolts on the thermostat housing so I think it would be pretty close to coolant temp.

Dave

[omvanders]

I've got the sensor located in the same spot as Southoz. Over time I've been able to conclude that temp readings are not influenced by under-bonnet temp or traveling speed as such. Of course the ambient temp (i.e. summer versus winter) is quite noticeable.

As for the difference between coolant temp and head temp - good question. I've always figured that they would be pretty close.

[SouthOz]

I fitted mine there to give a better idea of coolant temp rather that cyl. head temp. I think that if it runs low on coolant it would give a warning of that as well.

Dave

[Fermion]

My understanding (and someone please correct me if I am wrong) is the thermostat only opens around 91-93 degrees, so you would expect to see that sort of temperature range.

I have seen my engine probe go beyond 100 on a number of occasions. In fact, that was what tipped by off that my thermostat was faulty, and since having it replaced has fixed the problem.