Engine 1993 Running cool

[Sconnell80]

I’ve got a 1993 GT that I’ve picked up and have been going through fine tuning it as it was someone else’s project. I’ve noticed that the temp gauge runs around the 150* mark most times unless it sits and idles for 30mins in 90* weather. It has an aluminum 3 row radiator with electric contour fans that are set to run at 185* and they do kick on at about the temp by the dash gauge. I know the gauges in these cars suck but it seems to be somewhat right. I will get a temp gun and shoot it and see what it says. It’s starting to cool down here in western NY so I’d like to get some heat lol.

 

[General karthief]

Good place to start. An aftermarket gauge to supplement the factory one is what I did.

 

[Sconnell80]

I’m guessing it’s gonna read low as well cause I don’t get much heat out of the heater. What should I look at next if the temp is low. Easier to diagnose it if it was overheating lol.

 

[Boostedpimp]

visually verify that your heater core isn't bypassed and maybe there is a low thermostat installed. Factory was 195 I believe but putting a 180 in is popular to help with keeping cool in hot weather and generally sucks in the winter time heat wise.

 

[Sconnell80]

Yes the heater core is hooked up as I get heat if I let it sit and idle but once I start moving temps drop. I put in a 180* tstat so maybe I’ll try a 195*.

 

[Mustang5L5]

I'd try the 195* and see if oyu can buy a cheap temp gauge to install and confirm the low temp. The stock gauges are notoriously inaccurate. Try cleaning the connector on the temp sender or replacing it completely as it's pretty cheap. Any oxidation can increase resistance making the reading incorrect

 

[mikestang63]

first, get a good aftermarket gauge and see whaat the engine is really running at

 

[2000xp8]

150 is crazy low.
Likely not a real reading in 90 degrees.
If it has a 180 in it, the t stat shouldn't open until it hits that temperature, so regardless of the size radiator you have, the car should run at least 180 degrees.

My guess is that your gauge reading is way off, so i'm with mike, don't mess with anything until you put a real gauge on it.

 

[JD1964]

Thermostat could be stuck open

 

[Blown88GT]

Yes the heater core is hooked up as I get heat if I let it sit and idle but once I start moving temps drop. I put in a 180* tstat so maybe I’ll try a 195*.

I've been running a 180* for 25 years.
T-stat sets the lower temperature limit, not the upper temp limit.

 

[Sconnell80]

The thermostat is brand new and it is working, I can grab the hose while the car is warming up and it is cooler to the touch, check it maybe 10 mins later and it’s hot. I’ve got another temp sensor coming just to see, I’ll grab a temp gun and try and get some readings to verify. My guess is the gauge is off or not reading right at certain temps.

 

[Sconnell80]

Put in new temp sending unit and it reads just shy of the middle of the temp gauge. Atleast it’s not reading on the low end so I can live with that. Fans come on just above the middle.