Thread: How long / far your D2 / TD5 tempt gauge will reach the middle position?

Originally Posted by maxperformance

Just for reference and fun fact.
gauge.jpg

Mine (Auto TD5 2001) is always at low position like the photo after ~3.5kms running in ~10 minutes through local roads with 2 different red lights and 1 very steep long ramp into a local shopping mall, outside tempt ~23oC
It normally needs about 15 minutes of running through local roads with about 5 - 7 red lights to get to the middle tempt position, or equivalent with about 8-9kms, and the outside tempt was about 23oC. And it always stays there in the middle until the next stop.

Is this normal, good or bad for a TD5, I don't know.

How about yours?

I suspect the weather may have an impact. Here in Perth, mine is normally about 10 minutes to normal in summer.

I'm sure you already know that the temp gauge is actually useless once it gets to the normal range. If it ever goes higher, you have probably already cooked your TD5.
I use one of the excellent low coolant alarms available for purchase here in Dave's Shop, plus a Nanocom Evo permanently mounted in instrument mode with the alarm set at about 105C - only this high cos I sometimes tow a big heavy brick.
Blknight, one of our super-gurus, advises that the TD5 engine can operate up to 120C, but of course we would all prefer a wee bit less than that for normal operation.
Good luck

Originally Posted by gavinwibrow

I suspect the weather may have an impact. Here in Perth, mine is normally about 10 minutes to normal in summer.

I'm sure you already know that the temp gauge is actually useless once it gets to the normal range. If it ever goes higher, you have probably already cooked your TD5.
I use one of the excellent low coolant alarms available for purchase here in Dave's Shop, plus a Nanocom Evo permanently mounted in instrument mode with the alarm set at about 105C - only this high cos I sometimes tow a big heavy brick.
Blknight, one of our super-gurus, advises that the TD5 engine can operate up to 120C, but of course we would all prefer a wee bit less than that for normal operation.
Good luck

Yeah, the weather will affect a lot I agree.

I remember when I was driving a Landcruiser 80 Turbo Diesel 1HD-FT in the winter morning, it took me a good 10kms to reach normal temperature around town. So I am not very surprised by my old girl TD5

My gauge takes about the same 3.5 ks , wish my speedo was showing 129,000.

Originally Posted by whitey56

My gauge takes about the same 3.5 ks , wish my speedo was showing 129,000.

Very very very easy mate.

There are a few of 2 genuine options:

1- Bring your TD5 to me, prefer Manual, and a container of beers (you guess how much I drink a year? about 1 six pack, no more)

I swap mine to you. But you will cover all the legal fees PLUS spare good reasons that we have to explain to Mr. and Mrs at NSW Service why we swap the dashboard speedo.

2- Dissemble your dash, try to use any comfortable screwdriver and hammer to reach that speedo numbers and rotate them as much as you want. Prepare the same fees and reasons as above.

Believe me or not, I did the 2nd option above, and it works well to show off the photo in this topic.

Seriously, I meant, have a fun day.

My TD5 auto 2002 EU3 takes about 7Km or say 10 minutes to reach the middle at about 22C.

The gauge is supposed to centre at 70C , but mine centres at about 65-68C head temperature.
Once it is centred you can use lock up.
You may have high resistance at your sensor, so maybe give it a squirt with contact cleaner and remove and replace the plug a few times.
You can see what the temp is doing with a Nanocom, but if the sensor is misreading then the Nanocom will also misread.
It could also be a crook thermostat.
Regards Philip A