Thread: 300tdi operating temperature

My 300tdi sits from 82 Celsius on a cold day in Perth to about 95 towing a 16ft boat or thrashing it up Greenmount Hill on a 30 degree day! I have my Tm2, attached to the side of the head, set to go off at 96, it was 94 for a few months until I towed the boat! I also have a $30 physical temperature (not electric) gauge from Auto One inserted in the rad hose, which sits at 80-98. What I find interesting comparing the two gauges to each other and the factory gauge is that the coolant temp can rise or fall quite a few degrees before the head temp changes, while the factory gauge stays put! I tested my heater core today and it leaked so much that the coolant stopped circulating. The head temp rose to 95 at one point but the coolant (when it stopped circulating) went up to 115 then dropped to 60 as the probe lost contact with the coolant! Having the Tm2 assured me no damage was done and how far I could go to disconnect the heater hoses. Not too many places to work under the bonnet in the city!

Lane

Originally Posted by Discomark

My 300TDI normally sits somewhere between 88 to 95c and I have only seen it go over 110c once and that was fully loaded with a 1200kg trailer going up a serious hill. The unit I have goes to 110c max but I would be pulling over if I seen it go above 110c. Since changing the viscous hub the highest temp I have seen has been 109c when towing up a big long hill.
I have one of these and the sensor is mounted up on the head near the thermostat housing. AutoSpeed - $25 Temperature Controller and Display!
Its a cheap option but works and I have connected a buzzer to alert me when the temp hits 105c.
Cheers
Mark

Looks like a handy gauge leaving a comment to assist finding it later

Originally Posted by 3lud13

Looks like a handy gauge leaving a comment to assist finding it later

Even cheaper these days and I ordered another one a few weeks back and it arrived today. This one goes up to 120c so suits the application better and only $12 delivered.
Digital Temperature Controller Thermostat 12V 10A Switch 40„ƒ 120
Cheers
Mark

Just bought a couple myself, will be going on tranny and transfer box. Already have 4 temp indiicators (OEM, low coolant warning, TM2, capillary temp gauge in thermo housing) usually sits between 83 and 90. Thanks to Discomark for the info on cheapy indicators.

Discomark, that one looks as if the cable is probably about a metre long. Is that long enough to reach somewhere suitable on the engine?

I notice there are some (for a few dollars more) that have a 2 metre cable.

Originally Posted by vnx205

Discomark, that one looks as if the cable is probably about a metre long. Is that long enough to reach somewhere suitable on the engine?

I notice there are some (for a few dollars more) that have a 2 metre cable.

Correct the cable is only 1 metre long but easy to extend to required lengh with some light duty 12v wire or speaker cable.

Don't forget to use the 15% off everything code for eBAY orders until end of tomorrow. Edit. Min spend $50 : (
Coupon code:CELEBRATE15

Cheers
Mark

Originally Posted by vnx205

Discomark, that one looks as if the cable is probably about a metre long. Is that long enough to reach somewhere suitable on the engine?

I notice there are some (for a few dollars more) that have a 2 metre cable.

2mtrs is better than 1mtr.... but is 2mtrs enough if u want to install one on your transmission? I know it depends on how u run the cable but from the transmission up the firewall and into the cab & then to the dash, 2mtrs might be a stretch?

I just brought one on eBay now depending on its performance I can see a couple more coming for the auto and transfer. Where is everyone mounting there's on the trans?