Is our engine running TOO cool ?

[Scooter]

Temperature gauge starts at 100 and ends at 210. There is a large dash in the middle. I would guess it could be 160. This is where our needle is, all the time, after warmup. Cool or warm outside, up or down hill.

I had heard that too low a temp does not permit the engine to use fuel efficiently.

What does your engine temp gauge usually read ? Thanks

W22, 8.1L, Allison 1000, Banks exhaust

[TXiceman]

I would not trust the standard dash gauge for any absolute readings. These are basically IDIOT gauges and nothing more. You can easily add a second gauge to read a more accurate temperature.

Ken

[Midniteoyl]

Agreed... I have a gauge like that in one of my cars.. Thought the 'center line' would equal 160*, same as you.. Turns out, its actually 195* and the gauge is NOT linear..

[edgray]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scooter Temperature gauge starts at 100 and ends at 210. There is a large dash in the middle. I would guess it could be 160. This is where our needle is, all the time, after warmup. Cool or warm outside, up or down hill........................... W22, 8.1L, Allison 1000, Banks exhaust

Scooter: don't try to read too much into your "gauge", especially if trying to devine what temp it is displaying. It is PROGRAMMED to point to "normal" and will not move higher unless there is a significant overheat condition, which will cause it to "suddenly" move to its upper limit.

The engineers at WCC decided "some" owners would not understand that temps higher than 212* don't mean boiling if the coolant is correct and the system is pressurized. Therefore, they decided to provide a "guage" that is less disconcerting than one that shows actual temps. I kid you not. Ed

[cwj212]

We recently purchased a 2001 Winnebago with an 8.1 that runs at around 160 deg according to the gauge as well. I had the same concerns. Workhorse documentation says that it should run at 210? I was wondering if the previous owner changed the thermostat or something like that. It runs just fine.

[EngineerMike]

You can check coolant temp using a handheld infrared gun. They are sold at Harbor Freight, Sears, NAPA, online, etc. Point the laser guide at the thermostat housing or other parts after bringing engine up to temp, then write down the number for reference against the gauge's point.

[RetiredBob]

My ScanGauge II shows 198F during normal driving.

[edgray]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetiredBob My ScanGauge II shows 198F during normal driving.

Mine too. And that is A/C on and towing the Vue, with NO aux electric fans on the later model cool pack. Even going up hill, about the highest I've ever seen on the SG II was 203*. Ed

[M&EM]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scooter What does your engine temp gauge usually read ? Thanks W22, 8.1L, Allison 1000, Banks exhaust

Assuming your 2003 has the actia gauge, it should read pretty darn close to the mid point of the gauge. As a check, the Actia system has a calibration function which shows you what it thinks the needle should be at for low, mid point, and high end of the gauge. This would tell you if the actia is out of calibration or some other problem exist. Going from there you may be able to determine if the actia is just displaying the mid point down scale or you may have an ECT sensor or thermostat issue.

Marty

[oemtech]

FYI....

[Scooter]

Thanks to all for info on this important issue. I do have a handheld infrared gun coming in the mail.

I think I will have a engine temp sender installed and a gauge on the dash. Probably a transmission temp gauge also. Think the transmission sender should be in the return pan.....as I remember reading a few years ago. Sound right?

[Mr JP]

I would recommend a Scan Gauge II. It will give you the readings you are looking for & is very easy to install. Good Luck JP